You are here: Forums Vans & Minivans Mazda MPV Mazda MPV

Mazda MPV

8192 messages,  Last post on Nov 25, 2009 at 7:01 PM

You are in the Mazda MPV Forum. Your Host is Karens

What is this discussion about? Mazda MPV, Van

Messages Page 2 of 820 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 ... 820 Prev Next Last

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

#9 of 8192 Sammysmiths, etall...cont'd brake comments by javadoc Jun 15, 2000 (10:25 pm)
I have not found it necessary to open the rear vent windows yet on our van. The a/c works very well (we have the rear a/c also), so power opening rear vent windows, IMHO, would be not really needed. Regarding the brakes discussion...there are a few advantages to having disk brakes on the rear of a vehicle. However, stopping power really is not one of them. Let me explain why: When you apply the brakes, the weight of the vehicle is transferred onto the front wheels (assuming you're are driving forward like most sane drivers). Thus, the rear brakes do little of the work, at most 25%. The reason most higher-end autos have rear disks are for fade-resistance, as disk brakes both cool faster and provide better modulation of the braking power. These are both features lost on about 90-95% of common drivers, since they never really tax the braking systems. I used to race VW GTIs in the SCCA club scene, and I had upgraded the rear brakes to disks, mainly for two reasons: first, I could modulate brake bias (front to rear control) better to make the car slide in turns, and secondly because the pads are easier to replace than the shoes on drum brakes. These are two issues you probably won't ever encounter on a minivan (I hope nobody's club-racing an MPV?). (I would think,)the reasons for Mazda to use the drum brakes probably is monetary (their cheaper), and also none of their competitors are using disk brakes in the rear, not even cutting-edge Honda. If you've looked at the rear drum brakes on the MPV, they are actually huge. I'm not sure, but they probably come directly off of their B-series trucks. Of course, the previous MPV model used disk brakes on the rear, but I never noticed an advantage. Sorry for the long post...
#10 of 8192 Adding on 3 in 1? by scrapple Jun 15, 2000 (10:55 pm)
Am trying to buy MPV LX but only one available doesn't have the 3 in 1 audio that I really want. Salesman doesn't know if it can be added, service guy isn't in.... Anybody have info? Many thanks, this forum is great.
#11 of 8192 bugaboox by msgjvh Jun 16, 2000 (12:39 am)
I noticed that Hertz was starting to rent the MPV. If you want a picture of the teal send me an email I will forward you a pic of mine. I like it but then again Im weird.
#12 of 8192 Adding 3in0ne by steeplejack Jun 16, 2000 (12:56 am)
The three in one audio can be swapped in NP! They can't locate one nearby? Good luck with the deal!
#13 of 8192 3 in 1 by kondo Jun 16, 2000 (1:56 am)
scrapple: I waited for the 3 in 1, IMO it was worth the wait! bugaboox: it cost us 129 to uprade to the 3 in 1 (our dealer matched the cars direct site price)
#14 of 8192 by bugaboox Jun 16, 2000 (4:23 am)
msgjvh: I'll call Hertz again here. The rental people are almost as bad as the new car dealers, you know more about their cars than they do! Thanks for the offer, there's a great picture of the teal in the MPV brochure. kondo: Thanks for the info. Since I live in Texas, where you cannot buy from anyone but a licensed dealer BY LAW (no CarsDirect, etc.) Probably will have to dicker on every little detail or just use AutoByTel or DealerNet or Carpoint.
#15 of 8192 3 in 1 by scrapple Jun 16, 2000 (12:32 pm)
Steeplejack...What does NP mean? Sorry to be so dense!
#16 of 8192 Rear A/C and What Incentives by cimccabe Jun 16, 2000 (4:20 pm)
We are about to purchase a MPV LX (Rainforest Green) with the Security Package and the 4-Seasons Package, plus fog lights, roof rack, cargo net, and 3-in-1 radio. I was quoted $21,125 for this car. I can't decide whether the rear a/c is worth getting. I live in Phila. Do the rear vents work with the regular a/c? Is the regular a/c adequate given my location and climate? Also, what are the current rebates/incentives on the MPV. I know about the low financing. Autopedia also lists a "dealer incentive" of $1000 per car, as does Edmunds. But Kelley Blue Book lists a customer incentive of $500 to $1300 depending upon certain conditions being met. I have been told by various dealers that I can get low financing or $1000, but not both. But the prices I've been quoted seem to be below the dealer's cost (factoring in only one $1000 incentive and the holdback of 2% of base MSRP) which leads me to believe that the there is currently both a dealer incentive and a customer incentive. Can someone help me out here? Thanks.
#17 of 8192 #10 Van for shorties (bugaboox) by marcb Jun 16, 2000 (6:17 pm)
Hi bugaboox, read your post with interest. there used to be a topic on this but it got frozen. My wife is an inch shorter than yours (4'10"), so i just though to share with you on this. Of all the vans we've tested my wife also finds the MPV's driving best for her. We both like it very much and is our current top choice. We think it has the best visibilty, maneuverability / parkability, and driving position for shorties. But it could be better. Watching her closely I could see that she is still unable to rest the heel of her foot on the floor while stepping on the pedals. If you really think of it, she should be booster seat fodder (ha ha).... just check those booster seat requirements and anyone below 4'11 is. So we are still waiting to see how the extendable pedals of the coming 2001 DC vans will suit her (and the DC power rear lift gates will probably be good for her). The only other van with the extendable pedals would be the Windstar. But it would be too big for her and has even worse reliability record. Personally we dont care too much about the DC vans so we are keeping as last option adding fixed pedal extenders on the mpv if the DC van overall doesnt cut it. Heres some links I've found just in case you are interested: US: http://www.pedalextenders.com Canada: http://www.handcontrolscorp.com Good luck and I sincerely hope you have better luck with the mpv than we do. marc
#18 of 8192 cimccabe and marcb by todd48 Jun 16, 2000 (9:54 pm)
cimccabe- Wow! That's an amazing price they're quoting you. Here's the comparison to our MPV LX, which we bought in March. Ours is an LX with Security package and rear air...nothing else. And we paid around $21,250. That price was invoice + $150 minus the $1000 incentive (essentially $850 below invoice) Considering yours with 4 seasons is about $100 less than mine, BUT factoring in the cargo net, roof rack, fogs and 3-in-one radio ($700-$800 in accessories) that is an unbelievable price--way, way below invoice. I say jump on it! marcb- My wife is also 4'10" and she loves the MPV...she has no problems driving it or reaching the pedals. BTW: I'm 5'10 and I can't see the front of the van either. One thing I've noticed though is that when I'm in the passenger seat with out baby in her infant seat behind me, even with the seat all the way back, my knees seem to nearly hit the dashboard. Because the placement of the dashboard is so low, if I have the seat close, my knees always hit it. Has anyone else noticed this?

Messages Page 2 of 820 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 ... 820 Prev Next Last

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

You are here: Forums Vans & Minivans Mazda MPV Mazda MPV