Used 2003 Mazda MPV Consumer Reviews
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What a van!
I've always hated vans but my wife wanted something roomy and SUVs are overpriced. We picked up an 03 LX for $20,500 after rebate with 4-seasons pkg, rear heat & rear a/c, bumper step, fog lights, roof rack. This thing RUNS! It drives and rides like a car with tons of room considering it's considered a compact mini-van. We get 20mpg city with 4300 miles on it so far. I just couldn't touch the Toyota or Honda for the price and the extra room they have isn't worth it for me.
mpv lx 2003
everything in this van works and looks well. the smaller size is what makes this model work for me. when alone i drive aggressive and need the smaller size to maneuver in traffic. when driving with four in the van it is comfortable and well mannered. i drove with six in the van once for 150 miles and nobody complained and the van handled well and braking was excellent. my review takes in to consideration of the value factor, with the discounting with rebates by the dealer. decent lx package for less than 21k.
- LX Passenger MinivanMSRP: $3,995379 mi away
- LX Passenger MinivanMSRP: $2,000677 mi away
- LX Passenger MinivanMSRP: $3,6001,366 mi away
Good job Mazda
Considered Sienna, and Odyssey finally decided on the MPV for many reasons. Its smaller size is perfect for big city traffic, drives more like a car, and the new beefier engine is outstanding. Would highly recommend it, especially over Sienna and Odyssey since the owners of those have been posting many problems they have had with poor Customer Support (a definite no no).Buy it, you'll be amazed.
It's still a van, but I like it!
With 2 kids, a van was the logical next step, but I went into the buying process kicking and screaming. Only thing I don't like -- the center console is pretty much worthless -- no place to put my sunglasses for example - - you lose the sunglass holder when you get the sunroof.
We love it!
We have a LX MPV with rear air, roof rack, rear bumper cover. Traded a 95 Windstar (RIP). We love the MPV so far. Have 6000 miles. We keep finding reasons to go places so we can enjoy the road!
2003 Honda Beater
The LX is an unbelievable deal. I don't understand Honda's justification for unwavering from their ridiculous MSRP, but they made my decision easy. The Mazda fits the bill just as well, if not better for thousands less. With near invoice pricing, rebate, and low APR, I drove away several thousand less than a comparably equipped Honda. Build quality, power, handling are impeccable. 7/8 size meets my family needs and fits in the garage great. Agree with another writer that I don't know why there aren't more on the road...
We love our MPV
We wanted first to get a used Odyssey, but discovered MPV. We did the research and decided to get it. Drives like a normal car (actually words of our friend who had driven it, she drives VW Golf ; -) ). Enough power, it might downshift more often when going uphill vhen loaded, but it still has enough power not to lag behiond traffic. Easy parking with it's smaller size. Have a 8k on the van now and except for that fog light recall we had no problems.
Check out all mini's
Excellent value. Kids are in college but wife still wanted room for 6. I wanted fun to drive and easy on gas. This van fits the bill for both. It really zooms and handles like a car. I could not justify the extra cost of the Honda or Toyota when this van was available (LX) for under $20K.
soul of a sports car
Have had the MPV ES for two months, love it - handles well, great features and well built
It is good van for this price
It is fun to drive.
loved this van
We bought our MPV used with 50000 miles on it. We have not had any major problems other than a sensor on the gear shift went bad and the auto sliding doors quit working, cost 500 to fix. It was really nice on long trips and had plenty of power. In the winters we lost 4 mls per gallon and the check engine lite would come on, then in spring all would be fine. We had planned on keeping it for a long time till a kid ran a stop sign and hit the back fender of the van at 60 mph. We spun around a few times and hit a telephone pole. The van was a loss but my 6 yr old and i walked away with a few bumps. I hate to see it go and now my wife wants a volvo.....
Drive like a sportscar & the best look!!
I was considering both new Quest and MPV, the MPV handling is amazing since I am used to the firm suspension of my Mazdaspeed Protege, I like how the MPV gives me feedback of the road. It feels sporty and speed from 0-60 in no time. There is lot of driving pleasure even with family members and friends. It is a 7 seater sportscar!! Fuel economy is pretty good, about 20.9 per gallon on avg. I push the paddle a lot!
Grear Buy
The size is perfect for me as parking is easy, and loading of people or "stuff" is a snap. Twenty point six (20.6) MPG on 87 octane fuel around town is a big plus. It's dollar value and proven Mazda reliability were strong buying motives for me. Handling is on a par with some American sports cars I have driven.
Mazda MPV a sport van
a very swporty van
2003 MPV ES
I currently work for a multi-brand dealership that carries Ford, Mazda, Isuzu and Hyundai. I reviewed every model in this class of vehicle and found that for the money, I could not a better van with more options. The look and ride of this van almost make you forget you are driving a "mini-van"!
Best of Everything
Did extensive research before settling on the MPV LX - typical comparo, Honda, Toyota, etc...Honda turned me off right off the bat, dealers demanding near MSRP (for a minivan, are they high?), and were aloof on top of it all. One test drive of the MPV, and I was sold. Unbelievable vehicle, fit and finish (typical Japanese build quality), handling, driving dynamics are outstanding. The fact it is so underrated only helps buyers like us, who know better and can get these at cost.
02 LX
This is a very nice vehicle. We love the handling, power, visibility from the inside, and especially the interior egonomics. Very glad we went with this over the Honda, or Toyota. Those two definitely had inflated pricing. Had droves of Honda and Toyota owners looking it over at Saturdays Soccer games. Not a single build defect noted in our first 1,000 miles of ownership. This is the best minivan in this class today hands down. This is our second Mazda, and surely will not be our last.
For drivers!
We drove all the top rated minivans... and many times over. We love the luxury of the Sienna and the boldness of the Quest, but the driving experience of the MPV trumped them both. We call it our SUVan. Initially, I was stuck on "bigger is better" but the wife insisted on a tight handling, economical package that gave us great touring visibility and luxury and saved $4-6k. Our loaded ES doesn't miss a trick. It's ideal for a couple or family in an urban setting.
Nice Rig
Had a Voyager and replaced the transmission. Had a caravan and replaced the tranny twice. Five trannies between two vehicles. Spoke to friends about this. Astonished to learn that they too had replaced the trannies on their American vans. That, to me, is inexcuseable. I am really pleased with the Mazda. Nice fit and finish on interior and exterior. Alloy wheels really enhance the look. Great stereo. Smooth ride and the 3 Liter engine is just right. This choice was a no brainer. A small van but about as big as a full size SUV (but without the guilt !) Easily the best valued van of the Odessey \ Sienna\ MPV grouping.
A Match For a Family
I need to upgrade our family to a larger vehicle, we where drive a Toyota Tacoma Double cab Truck and that was our base for the quality we wanted in the new car/van. We found the Mazda to be a Great Match, it had the style the wife wanted and the features I wanted for the family. The fit and finish seem to be very good, and the engineering seems to be well thought out, great engine power really makes it move on the high way and the handling is almost sports car like.
Great minivan at a reasonable price !
I hated thinking of spending $23- $28k for a Sienna or Odyssey (SUV's with room are even higher) ! Found a great "in-between" bargain in the MPV. It is definitely smaller than your standard minivan on the outside but inside I was amazed how much it had to offer . Even in their base SV model you get ABS, disappearing 3rd seat, sliding side by side captains chairs, stereo control on the steering wheel, etc, etc ! What really swung me over were 2 things. 1) You can get this car for under 20k. and 2) They beefed up the engine to 200hp and it is smooth as silk. We took it on a 10 hour trip to Maine 2 days after we bought it and realized this was a great choice.
SWEET
NOT THE BIGGEST MINIVAN OUT THERE, BUT THE PERFORMANCE AND HANDLING ARE EXCELLENT. THE HIDE AWAY THIRD SEAT CREATES A NICE CARGO AREA. MY WIFE SWORE UP AND DOWN SHE WOULD NEVER BUY A MINIVAN, NOW SHE ABSOLUTELY LOVES THIS VEHICLE !!! WE SPRUNG FOR SOME OF THE EXTRAS, POWER DOORS, IN DASH CD CHANGER, WHICH PUSHED THE PRICE A LITTLE HIGH (THE WIFE HAD TO HAVE LEATHER...) BUT THE BASE MODEL IS AN EXCELLENT VALUE VEHICLE.
One of the best car we have ever owned
Our 2003 MPV has 60 miles on it and is one of the best buys we ever made. It's been a great "school bus" for the grandkids, a versatile hauler for big purchases or trips to the dump. It's been very reliable, with only one set of tires and normal oil change maintenance needed.
Zoom-Zoom and Quality
We replaced our 2001 MPV with a 2003. The only reason we upgraded was to get the new 3.0L V6. The previous 2.5L V6 did OK in our Texas flatlands, but when we took it to the mountains in Colorado it was a strain to get up the slopes (especially loaded with luggage). Our 2001 was perfect other than the engine, and we expect the same with the 2003. This makes our 4th Mazda (2 626's and 2 MPVs) they've all been rock-solid reliable and last many years and many miles, plus they are exciting to drive (even the minivan). We've owned a Honda, Chevys, Chryslers, Mazdas, and Nissans. Mazdas and Nissans are all I will consider now.
Great transition vehicle
Moving from an Audi A4 to a minivan becomes a necessity when baby #3 comes. With money tight and space even tighter we decided to start looking for something bigger. 2 vehicles fell into our sights: Suzuki XL7 and Mazda MPV. The MPV wins because of it's superior useage of interior space and surprisingly decent handling ability. Got an end of year LX almost fully equipped below invoice price. Looking forward to the BMW minivan in 2005/2006 (u heard it hear first!)
Nice Packaging
We purchased 4 weeks ago and simply love it. My Co. car is a Winstar and there is simply no comparison. Our previous used Grnd Caravan was a money pit. We love the ext. styling and the way the interor is packaged together is superb. After looking at the length & width of the van, we almost didn't even consider it. I'm glad we didn't make that mistake. After the test drive, I was sold. Check it out. This one is not a drive by.
satisfied!!
We just bought an MPV and are quite pleased with it. We traded in our Windstar for it and think that the handling on the road is as good if not better. Instruments/controls are not difficult to use or see. For some reason remote is not always working on front passenger door but should be easily fixed by the dealer. Salepeople/finance people were very helpful and informative.
Great family vehicle
Just purchased a new LX MPV. We were sold on the handling, reliability, quadruple 5-star safety rating, sporty look and all the cool features at a very reasonable price (22k with rebate). We bought one with power sliding doors, roof rack, 4-seasons package, fog lights, rear step plate, side airbags and traction control. Got it at invoice price and $ 2000 rebate. We were turned off by the attitude of Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna salespeople, who demanded MSRP or more. Mazda salespeople were much more polite and helpful. Mazda needs to market this minivan a lot more.
Good Fun to Drive Mini Van (Sports Car)
When my wife and I were looking to trade our prized Civic Si for a MiniVan we looked at several different models and manufacturers. Honda was obvious and so was Toyota (2004 Sienna) but the real show stopper for us was the MPV LX with the Tow package. It just handled more like our Si then the others. It wasn't so large that parking would be an issue and I thought it was every bit as sharp looking as the other two vehicles already mentioned. The deciding factor however was the price. 0% financing, no payments for 90 days, the best value for our trade in and free maintenance for 3 years sealed the deal for us.
I want to love this van, BUT
I did alot of research before purchasing this van. Initially,I loved the van-this was our first van purchase and we loved the flexibility in seating, comfort, space, styling, etc. I waited until we drove 5,000 miles before writing this review. There are two strange noises when I apply the brakes-one is an occasional popping sound from the front and another noise from the rear. The dealer thought it might be the tires making that sound (yea-right). I will be taking it in next week. I wouldn't feel comfortable recommending this van until I see how it performs over an extended period of time e.g. after three years.
surprisingly fun to drive
When we first test drove the Mazda MPV we were impressed with how it handled. The steering is responsive and the braking is quick. It didn't seem to roll as much in turns as one might expect a minivan to do. Now having driven for 6 months, we still enjoy it a great deal. It has made several long- distance trips in addition to the usual around town driving. It has sufficient power for passing on the freeway, and the steering feels tight in turns. It seems to have sufficient room for our little family. It feels quite safe and secure.
MPV out-STANDS other minivans
Looking for a car with a decent amount of room, cargo space, ground clearance at an unbeatable value, we landed on a 2003 Mazda MPV LX. This SUV look-a-like has great handling, space with a decent amount of power. taking long road trips can be a bit of a hassle with the seats;riding for more than an hour, you get a numb feeling in your rear. The rotten egg smell of the sulfur was there for a while but quickly vanished. Great minivan for a small family and an optional rear-air conditioning is a must!
Nicely Built, Great Looks, Right Size
After 2 weeks of extensive research we settled on the Mazda MPV. We dont particularly like MiniVans, and did not like the idea of driving a dinasour like Odissey. Yet again we needed 7 seat capacity. We really liked the looks and the relatively small size of the MPV. The consumer report ratings are great and since the Odyssey seems to be so popular, Mazda dealers are really willing to bargain.
Happy until
Purchased our Mazda MPV new in 2003, We were happy with the way it handled and found the van to be very reliable except for a coil replacement at 75,000 miles and oil pan leak at 125,000 miles, seats hard as a rock and now at 140,000 miles the transmission failed on the interstate without notice, leaving us stranded for days. $3200.00 later with a Re-man transmission from the local dealership we are back on the road. Never again Mazda, no second chances.
The Only 7-Seater Sport Car !
Excellent handling, cornering, a lot of power (0-60mph est. 8.2 sec.), stopping is tight, body style is great for a minivan (even look better in person than photo), a lot of room for 7 people, or 4 people with bikes, I love it, nice to drive and cruise around town, easy to park, very good value!
My Mazda
Best priced qualtiy minivan on the market. Great car!! The only issue I have is the front seat is a little uncomfortable. Otherwise a super buy!!
Great vehicle
Bought our 03 LX as new in 04 as a model year leftover. Great price, tons of options including sunroof, power doors, GFX package, 6 CD changer, traction control and ABS. After some initial teething problems (idle air control, transmission reflash both under warranty), car has been trouble free for 60,000 miles. Original Dunlop tires wore rather quickly, front brakes replaced at 40 K (average for Colorado mountain driving). MPG is pretty good at 25 fairly consistently on highway (not bad since CO is a 75 mph state) w/AC on and five aboard. In town is 19-20 in warm weather. Only advice? Dealer quality seems to vary widely.
Excellent Choice for a Mini Van
We purchased the MPV approximately three weeks ago. At first, we thought the van would be too small for our three growing girls. We test drove some used vans. Also looked at the Nissan Quest but decided a little too much money for what we wanted. We decided to test drive the MPV. Instantly, we felt very comfortable and realized this would be adequate for our family. We were hooked. The van rides very smooth and the features included are great. Would recommend looking into the MPV.
TRANSITION
Great vehicle so far. Those looking for more space and versatility without spending a fortune for an SUV and the gas to put in it should consider the MPV. Sporty looks and sporty feel in a minivan that doesn't look, feel or drive like a normal minivan.
New to Van's
Traded an ailing Buick LeSabre on an 03 LX. Overall my wife and I enjoy it and are very pleased with the purchase.
not your moms van
We just purchased our MPV two days ago. One reason why we chose this vehicle is because of all the other reviews. We are very pleased with it. It is a really nice looking van. (not grandmaish). The only drawback is that the stereo controls are behind the gearshift when in drive. The price is unbelievable when compared to the Sienna or Odyssey.
Mini Van (no way)
All I have to say is DRIVE IT!!!
Best vehicle I have ever owned
The handling and comfort are superb. It is the most practical of other minivans and luxury cars I have ever owned including my 1998 Chrysler Town and Country. I am experiencing about 20 miles per gallon during city driving break-in period.
Most for your money
At a price just below invoice,and with a $2000 rebate, this minivan beats any other for features, performance, and reliability for the money. Don't buy a Honda or Toyota or Chrysler without seriously considering the MPV.
Not Trust Worthy
Purchased this vehicle brand new. After a cross country drive vehicle started showing electrical problems. All started around 08/2004 and it wasn't until 12/2004 and a lemon law lawsuit that they decided to replace literally all the electrical components. Now it works but I don't trust the vehicle. Also noisy front suspension. Will recommend putting your name on the waiting list for other minivans on the market.
zoom-onology of mpv lx
My wife and I conducted extensive research on the purchase of an suv, when we decided to purchase the MPV instead. It handles like a well tuned car and with three young children, it not only represents a great value, compared to other similar vehicles, but provides comfort and space for our needs. The sliding side doors are a must and the electric windows are a major plus for kids that like to feel fresh air. We are thrilled with our purchase!
2003 mpv
Seems much better though smaller than my Fords Windstar... Mazda shows quality with this car
happy
this is my fourth mpv.only problem not enough horses.this one great though i miss 4x4...get 21 + m pg time will tell
Mazda MPV
Handling is a breeze compared to larger minivans. For urban driving it has the ability to maneuver side streets, parked vehicles. Great for loading children and the limited cargo we carry. Very easy to park.
I RENTED IT AND IT BLEW ME AWAY!!!
I rented a minivan to transport my family (wife and three children) to Syracuse, NY. I did not know the type of minivan I was going to get but expected a Windstar. We ended up with a Mazda MPV ES. I LOVED driving this minivan. My other car is a BMW. Guess what? I'm in love all over again!!!