Mazda MPV?

I found a Mazda MPV on craigslist that does not start. Here is the word-for-word ad:

craigslist ad said: 2001 mazda mpv I purchased this van for my mother and cant get it started it turns over but it is not getting fuel and the spark is weak I am guising it has an electrical problem 1300 firm please if you do not know anything about cars or don,t have the money to fix it do not call

Any ideas what it could be? Easy fix? Common problem for Mazdas?

I have no idea what it might be, but I believe that those mpv are actually fords underneath if that matters to you.

mw wrote: I have no idea what it might be, but I believe that those mpv are actually fords underneath if that matters to you.

I believe that they are actually Mazda 626, if its the new generation (FWD).

Fuel pump relay fuse blown?

That generation of MPV is really just a short wheelbase ford. That year used the 2.5L Ford duratec and the 3.0L came in 02 along with a 5 speed auto. Production stopped in 06.

The 2.5 era was dissed by auto reviewers since the engine was way off power compared to other minivans, got poor 18 mpg and it cost $30k new. The 02+ with the 3.0 got rave reviews due to more power, better mpg and you could get them as low as $16k in base trim. The 5 speed auto is known for not lasting but the duratec engine is known as being bulletproof (it uses 6 qts of oil to extend oil change intervals). Edmunds says an 01 is worth $4500.

I have an 05. It handles amazingly well.

We have a 2000 and, yes, mileage could be better. That said, it's got 225xxx km and starts every time. With Nokian tires new last fall, it laughs at any weather it's seen so far. It's a great size for the city but holds everything we want to bring. The only problems we have had were dumb stuff like window motors that were exacerbated by quirks in the Mazda parts operation: according to a veteran Mazda mechanic, the company occasionally changes part numbers but forgets to cross-reference across everybody's database, which (as John Cleese would say) "cause[s] unrest."

When C&D tested an '01 MPV, they dissed it because it was low(ish) on horsepower, but the situation was exascebated (sp?) by a transmission that was VERY poorly matched to the torque characteristics of the 2.5 Mazda engine. The poor tranny never seemed able to find the right gear. But in the words of that famous sage: Anonymous....."your results may be entirely different".

On the other hand, when C&D tested the '02.5 (it must be a late '02 to get the better engine/tranny) they found it to be a much improved minivan.