OT:Need some help from MazdaMPV owners

[mbb]

We're thinking of buying a minivan...would REALLY like an Odyssey, but $$$$$$....we still gotta have our WDW fix AND transportation!!LOL!...the MPV may work for us.

We need to have a foldable rear seat, and the 2000-2001 Dodge,Ford and Chev model seats all need to be removed.. and it appears to us that both the DX and LX trims include this...

Questions:
Which is the lower trim level, the DX or the LX?...as in which one has the slide, quad seats..?
Would you buy another? Why? Why not?
How do you feel about the maintenance end of things?
Is there a trim level that would include "traction control"?

TIA!!

 

[MikeyNS]

We're thinking of buying a minivan...would REALLY like an Odyssey, but $$$$$$....we still gotta have our WDW fix AND transportation!!LOL!...the MPV may work for us.

We need to have a foldable rear seat, and the 2000-2001 Dodge,Ford and Chev model seats all need to be removed.. and it appears to us that both the DX and LX trims include this...

Questions:
Which is the lower trim level, the DX or the LX?...as in which one has the slide, quad seats..?
Would you buy another? Why? Why not?
How do you feel about the maintenance end of things?
Is there a trim level that would include "traction control"?

TIA!!

What year are you looking at buying?
I LOVE the MPVs, especially when they have the GFX package. Makes them stick out! I would avoid the earlier years (2000-2001 I believe) that have the 2.5L V6.. totally underpowered and pretty horrible on gas. The 2002's had the 3.0L V6 w/5speed auto that helps A LOT. I believe the DX is the upper model with the "slide by side" seats.. and I believe that traction control was an option all around.

Just going from a friends MPV (2001 with GFX package.. nice van!), he likes it a lot, wishes it was better on gas, more power (2.5L V6), and overall is very happy with the lack of maintenance he has had to do (only oil and filter changes..) in 75K ..
We're expecting in July/August and are waiting for the prices of the 2002's to go down a smidge before we purchase. I hope we can find one with the GFX package. I would love to have a Honda Odyssey, but we don't need a bigger van.
Hope that helps..?

 

[GUNER]

Went from an Mpv to an Oddysey and let me tell you there is no comparing the two. Its like comparing a Lada to a Jaguar. I feel like I am driving in my living room couch it is such a comfortable ride. We drove to Disney last year and if we still had the MPv we would not have been able to do it. The space alone wouldn't have been enough. We are getting the 2005 Odyssey in a couple of months and I didn't think they could improve on anything but they managed to. I won't consider any other van.

 

[MECH8T7]

Went from an Mpv to an Oddysey and let me tell you there is no comparing the two. Its like comparing a Lada to a Jaguar.

Just curious...what year was your MPV?

 

[mbb]

We were looking at a couple of 2001's...but I didn't realize that there was such a difference between the 2.5 and 3L engines...hmmmm...maybe we'll jump ahead a year to a 2002.

We have a Honda Civic and we're going on 12 years with it Love itand would really like to get an Odyssey, but it just kills to think about spending $20,000+ dollars on a 5yr old vehicle...

We put less than 12,000km on our vehicles in the last year...so if we could find something that has the options that we want, and has lower km, we'd be just fine for the next few years....

Now $20,000 for DVC, no problem We have our prioritiesLOL!

 

[MikeyNS]

The one thing I remember when reading comparisons between minivans is that the Odyssey does drive like a living room.. comfy, but not much of a handler. The MPV definitely drives and handles sportier (not necessarily faster) and that wins over people who do not want the "minivan stigma".. but to each their own! I'm going to test drive both here in a few weeks, and if the Odyssey feels too "boatish" it'll definitely go off my list.

 

[MECH8T7]

Here's a thread from last year that I posted on. Since that time, we had the alternator go on our 2000 MPV ES -- two hours on the Bayview extension waiting for a tow truck on Christmas eve -- but otherwise its been a great car for us.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=646899

 

[mom_rules]

I may be in the minority but we've owned 4 MPV's-kept the last one-1998 MPV All-Sport 4WD for DD. Nice solid little machine-no problems. 4wd excellent in winter.
I like my Mazdas so much I bought myself a Tribute ESV6-like it even better than my MPVs-it's a little smaller-just perfect for me now that we don't have to cart around kids and hockey equipment.

 

[Grumbo]

I may be in the minority but we've owned 4 MPV's-kept the last one-1998 MPV All-Sport 4WD for DD. Nice solid little machine-no problems. 4wd excellent in winter.
I like my Mazdas so much I bought myself a Tribute ESV6-like it even better than my MPVs-it's a little smaller-just perfect for me now that we don't have to cart around kids and hockey equipment.

Tribute aka Ford Escape
I have owned two Odysseys, a 2003 and now a 2005 Touring model. They aren't cheap I agree, but by the same token when you are looking at over 20 G for a five year old one you know they retain resale value and are a good vehicle. The 03 was great but we upgraded due to the new features on the 05 and probably last chance to buy a decked out version as we'll be retiring within the next two years.
I owned a Mazda pickup for eons until some guy ran a red light and took me and the truck out of commission. It was probably one of, if not the best vehicles I ever owned. Since they've hooked up more with Ford I am not as impressed with the Mazdas though.
We went to Florida in our Odyssey with a Yakima roof container last year. 4 adults and two 11 year olds. With the DVD tv and the room it was a great trip. As for the handling like a livingroom couch don't know where you've been reading reviews but the handling is judged the best of minivans for "European feel" and great for long trips imho.
There are good deals on 2 and 3 year old Odysseys. Check autotrader.ca . That is a great place to start

Cheers,
Grumbo

 

[mbb]

Thanks all!

Grumbo, would you buy an Odyssey that has 122,00km on it?

I would...but DH is not so sure.
It's a 2000 "top o' the line" model. It's a dealer, and they're asking $13995 for it....

We love our Civic, and we always smile when someone asks if we're thinking of selling....

 

[Parkerpooh]

We have a 2000 top o the line Odyssey with 145,000 kms on it and we have done nothing but change oil and 1 new set of tires. I will never drive anything else! We've driven it to Florida, New York City... It has never left us stranded(unlike my hunk-o-junk pontiac). I say go for it!!!

 

[MikeyNS]

I don't think you can go wrong with either vans honestly.. all depends on your preference. Just make sure you have some maintenance records so you're sure that it has been kept up!

 

[mbb]

We're heading to the Auction on Tuesday...barring a blizzard... but that sounds like exactly what is shaping up weather wise...*sigh*

I'll let you know what we get

 

[BitsnBearsMom]

Oh my goodness..... DON'T get a MPV if it is 2001 or earlier.... terrible terrible terrible on gas!!

We just bought one last September and can't wait to get rid of it!! Thank goodness dh has the Camry to do his commuting in b/c that van sucks wayyyyyyy too much gas back!

We don't find it overly comfortable for long trips either.

As soon as we can we are going to get rid of it and get a Toyota Sienna or a Honda Oddesy... probably a Sienna b/c we are just a toyota family!!lol