Anybody here drive a Mazda MPV?
Thread Starter
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,535
From: VA
Originally Posted by 1988RedT2' post='767795' date='Oct 10 2005, 06:42 AM
Haha. Thanks. Yeah, the thing does okay with the 200 HP six. Pretty torquey, and gets off the line nicely. And even though the Honda has 44 more horsepower, it also carries around another 400 pounds or so.
Actually, I did some checking. Turns out the Honda is like 600 or 700 pounds heavier than the Mazda. I guess they need those extra 44 horses.
BTW, the Honda 3.5-liter V6 was downrated this year to 244 from 255.
Thread Starter
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,535
From: VA
Update! 5000 miles on the clock and it's still on the road. Ha!
Seriously, once we got the crappy OE Dunlop tires off and replaced with Michelins, it's been smooth sailing. It's very comfortable, and they got the details right. The only thing that bugs me a little is the placement of the transmission gear selector. It blocks your view of some of the dash controls. But that's a pretty small gripe. I was hoping to get better than 22 mpg though.
Seriously, once we got the crappy OE Dunlop tires off and replaced with Michelins, it's been smooth sailing. It's very comfortable, and they got the details right. The only thing that bugs me a little is the placement of the transmission gear selector. It blocks your view of some of the dash controls. But that's a pretty small gripe. I was hoping to get better than 22 mpg though.
Super Moderator
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 12,288
From: Amityville, New York
Originally Posted by j9fd3s' post='803411' date='Feb 22 2006, 11:43 AM
i dont understand how they put the heater vent right next to the steering wheel either.
22mpg? seems lowm but then we dont keep track of the shuttle van
to get the wheel warm, cold steering wheels suck ***
in case you forgot- some parts of the world are COLD!
heated steering wheels are a much better idea they came out with then heated seats
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 519
I recently bought and MPV and the only real problems I have had with it is fixing a leaky sunroof and needing an intake hose. I guess the intake hoses are prone to failure (cracking and spliting). Duct tape is fixing the cracks in mine at the moment because all of the ones I have found at wrecking yards were in worse condition than mine was. Maybe I will finally buy a new hose off of ebay. I have been happy with mine. The 3Litre V6 was probably the best V6 Ford ever made (at least in my expirience, and my Dad's expirience as a Ford Master Tech). I believe the transmission that was used in the MPVs was the same auto transmission that was sold in the FDs.
Thread Starter
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,535
From: VA
Originally Posted by rmriggin' post='805708' date='Mar 3 2006, 10:12 PM
I recently bought and MPV and the only real problems I have had with it is fixing a leaky sunroof and needing an intake hose. I guess the intake hoses are prone to failure (cracking and spliting). Duct tape is fixing the cracks in mine at the moment because all of the ones I have found at wrecking yards were in worse condition than mine was. Maybe I will finally buy a new hose off of ebay. I have been happy with mine. The 3Litre V6 was probably the best V6 Ford ever made (at least in my expirience, and my Dad's expirience as a Ford Master Tech). I believe the transmission that was used in the MPVs was the same auto transmission that was sold in the FDs.
What year is your MPV?
Mine doesn't have a sunroof, so I will be spared that particular headache.
The '05 has a 5-speed auto. Not sure if it's just a redone old design or a new tranny.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 22,465
From: California
Originally Posted by rmriggin' post='805708' date='Mar 3 2006, 07:12 PM
I recently bought and MPV and the only real problems I have had with it is fixing a leaky sunroof and needing an intake hose. I guess the intake hoses are prone to failure (cracking and spliting). Duct tape is fixing the cracks in mine at the moment because all of the ones I have found at wrecking yards were in worse condition than mine was. Maybe I will finally buy a new hose off of ebay. I have been happy with mine. The 3Litre V6 was probably the best V6 Ford ever made (at least in my expirience, and my Dad's expirience as a Ford Master Tech). I believe the transmission that was used in the MPVs was the same auto transmission that was sold in the FDs.
the 5 speed trans is actually from jaguar. its pretty good for an automatic, and for a ford its amazingly reliable.