Mazda MPV

I saw an mpv today while stuck in traffic. I did a complete challenge build in a road racing theme in my head while looking at it. I know nothing about them but now I want one.

Which generation? The RWD/AWD "suv" style (OR - edited from of) the 99+

m4ff3w wrote: Which generation? The RWD/AWD "suv" style of the 99+

That is the one. It looks like it was a 99 or 00 in silver. It was completely stock down to the plastic hub caps. I did not see a spec of rust on it either.

Like this

That one is the FWD-only generation that lasted until 2006. We had two, and they served us well. Functional windows in the sliding doors were fantastic (and, at the time, rare.) They were a "just right" size for both urban commuting and trips. I looked up the crash test results and wished I hadn't, though. Oh, and two words: Takata airbags.

We have a 03 and it has been really good to us, other than eating ignition coils.

The 03+ got the bonus of the 3.0l engine instead of the 2.5 v6 and the 5spd auto.

The 99s look like they have a cool rwd system with the ability to go awd. I think I need to look at one of those. That would be cool.

The thing that got my attention was it looked smaller than most of the mini vans you see. Almost like a tall mid size wagon. I just thought it was cool.

dean1484 wrote: The 99s look like they have a cool rwd system with the ability to go awd. I think I need to look at one of those. That would be cool.

The above pictured body style is FWD only.

The previous body style is RWD/AWD:

Ohhhh I like that as well. That would be great up here.

The other cool RWD minivan (also offered in AWD) of that era was the Previa. And that comes with the weight distribution bonus of having the engine laid over under the front seats

I know that on the old RWD-style ones, a Nissan VG30DETT bolts up to the stock motor mounts.

http://www.superstreetonline.com/features/modp-1207-1993-mazda-mpv/

Both generations of MPV are cool! A friend of mine had an early one that went about 300k miles without major trouble. I've owned my 2005 (last model year in U.S.) since new. No issues other than ignition coils--I did the three on the backside. Only one actually failed. I just had new tires put on and got the swaybar endlinks replaced and it drives like a new one with 130k miles on the clock. Handles great for a minivan and is the right size for all but loaded-up vacation trips. Reasonable mix of pick-up and fuel economy with the 3.0 Duratec. Five-speed auto works well. Recommended!

like most mazda's, the resale value is terrible.

lnlogauge wrote: like most mazda's, the resale value is terrible.

But why on Earth would anyone who owned an MPV ever want to sell it?

In reply to 1988RedT2:

Size and the coilpacks. We had a 2004. It was a good car, but when it stranded MrsWx in Connecticut one night due to the coils just out of warranty, she wanted to get something else. Plus she wasn't keen on how close the rear bench was to the rear door. When it was just us and our twins, it was great. The boys were in the middle row. But once our third came along and the twins moved to the back, she just got uncomfortable with it.

We have a 2007 Sienna 8 Seater. It is a lot more comfortable for us and we use it all the time (got it in 2008 with 22K, now has north of 185K miles).

The only car I've bought new was our 2003 MPV and it now has a bit over 160K. The biggest part I've had to replace is the water pump but it was a fairly easy job. The transmission has had a 2-3 shift shock for a while. It served us well but we recently upgraded to a Town and Country to better fit the growing kids. We still have it as a backup due to the poor resale value.

NMNA http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/5517640883.html

1990 Mazda MPV Mini Van - $450 (Red Oak) DFW

Good challenge start.

dean1484 wrote: Like this

That picture looks like it could be my car- even the same color. Great car!

It is smaller than many minivans on the road. However, mine is currently sitting in the driveway next to a 1st gen Odyssey. It's GIGANTIC by comparison.