1997 Mazda MPV Consumer Reviews

Solid Van

Written by: MPV Driver on 01/03/2003

Vehicle

1997 Mazda MPV 2 Dr LX Passenger Van

Review

We have had no significant problems with our MPV over the years. Heard of transmission problems in other vehicles but none in ours yet. Nuisance check engine light goes on and off occasionally, but mechanic has found no problems. Speedo error can be caused by different size tires, stock tires can be very difficult to find and if you can find them you won't want to pay for them. I am encouraged by the number of older style MPVs (3 doors) still running the road that make ours look new. Although the van has been very reliable, I would not give 5 cents for the maintenance department of the dealer where we bought.

Favorite Features

Cargo capacity (carries a full size refrigerator or twin mattress set), rear doors that swing past 90 degrees, ground clearance, reliability.

Suggested Improvements

Rear seat needs to fold into floor, too hard to remove.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Love my MPV

Written by: kclark987 on 12/19/2002

Vehicle

1997 Mazda MPV 2 Dr LX Passenger Van

Review

We like the fact that this minivan looks more like an SUV than a minivan. The rear wheel drive is great for towing (up to 3500 lbs) and the handling is excellent. We've had absolutely no problems in the 57,000 miles we've owned it. In fact, other than the driver's side sun visor, I can't think of anything that's gone wrong.

Favorite Features

We like the regular swinging doors in back. The kid's (ages 4 and 5) have no problems opening them.

Suggested Improvements

The gas mileage is my only gripe. 18 mpg city and 22 highway.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Sport Utility, Wagon, and Van All in One

Written by: AllSport4WheelDriver on 08/01/2002

Vehicle

1997 Mazda MPV 2 Dr ES 4WD Passenger Van

Review

Had to look high and low to finally find this particular MPV. Bought used with 28k miles, now closing in on 40k and have had no mechanical problems whatsoever. Went on a 4th of July excursion to Lake Tahoe/Reno/Carson City/Sacramento/San Francisco logging over 1,500 miles and the Multi-Purpose Passenger Vehicle ran solidly.

Favorite Features

Sport Utility Van styling/All-Sport Package, swing-out rear doors with windows that roll all the way down, Multi-Mode 4-Wheel Drive with lockable center differential, standard 3.0L V6, amongst others.

Suggested Improvements

BRING THIS SPORT UTILITY VAN BACK IN PRODUCTION, MAZDA! THE TRIBUTE IS BASICALLY A FORD ESCAPE, AND THE 2000+ MPV'S ARE NOT THAT MUCH DIFFERENT FROM OTHER MINIVANS.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Sales Engineer

Written by: lee hendrix on 07/11/2002

Vehicle

1997 Mazda MPV 2 Dr ES 4WD Passenger Van

Review

We found this vehicle's tranmission to be very expensive to repair and unreliable. The same is true with other engine components. The transmission cost almost $3,000 to repair. The catalytic converter is almost $600. Power window regulators failed and the speedometer has been off by 5 miles per hour since the purchase of the vehicle.

Favorite Features

Excellent in snow.

Suggested Improvements

Poor Transmission and expense to repair. Would never buy another Mazda

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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