We bought two new cars within a week of each other. The first was the Saturn SL1 which is used for errands and outings where 5 or less of us are going. We are VERY happy with that choice.

The other car is our family car, the one we use for car trips, visits and outing where all seven of us are going. Obviously, the size of our family limits the type of vehicles we have to choose from and we are limited to vans. This time we bought a 2002 MAZDA MPV and every time I am in, I enjoy it even more! It has turned out to be a WONDERFUL choice for us!



SELECTING THE CAR

We had known for awhile that the van we had was going to need to be replaced ~~ either that, or we were going to have to put in a lot of money into the one we had. After finding out just how MUCH money we would be putting in, we opted for the new one!

We had enough time to test drive a few different ones and quickly narrowed it down to the 2002 MAZDA MPV comparing the two (and MAZDA’S 0% financing) and went with the 2002 MAZDA MPV. So far, I will say I am glad we did!



STANDARD EQUIPMENT

Of course one of the biggest pluses is the easily configured second- and third-row seating. I am happy to report that they actually DO move around as easy as in the commercials!

To change from a two passenger bench to two captains chairs you just pull a release lever and the right hand seat slides. You can also remove both seats if you needed the cargo room.

When the third seat is upright, there is a storage space in the recessed cargo well. That well is where the seat is folded into when you fold it down flat for more space. Again, this is very easily done.

Another thing that I really like is the Power roll down windows on the sliding doors! This is exclusive to the MAZDA MPV and so much better than just being able to either open them a crack or not at all! You can also open and close these doors with a button to the left of the steering wheel.

It has a wonderful 180 watt sound system with a AM/FM/cassette/CD with a digital clock. There are 9 speakers throughout the van and steering wheel mounted audio controls.

The seats are VERY comfortable with 8 way power adjust drivers seat and height and cushion angle for both front seats.

Air Conditioning is standard with both front and rear controls. The knobs are ones you turn (as opposed to ones you push in) with one for heat (blue to red), one for amount(* to 4)and the last one for the placement of heat or cold air.

The air and heat have two separate buttons on top of the controls, making it easy to pick the correct one. In my last van they were together and hard to deal with while driving so I appreciate the way these are placed.

The singular control for the rear vents is then under all of the above, again, making it all very easy to adjust while driving. You cannot have separate heat settings for the front and back. You must choose the setting and then you can have the SAME settings for BOTH or for EITHER the front or back. I seem to be colder than the kids so I have to run the heat in both sections and then just in the front.



OPTIONS

The Roof Rack was the only option we went for. Cost: $200

One cool option they have is a 6-Disk CD player for $450. It is an in dash system which would be a much easier one to load than the older versions of the multi-disk systems.



GAS MILEAGE

This would be my only complaint and I have it with ALL vans! In fact, we are actually getting better gas mileage with this one than our old one but at 18 city/24 highway it still adds up quickly!

It has an 19.8 gallon gas tank.


SAFETY/SECURITY

The 2002 MAZDA MPV received the highest rating (five stars) in government side-impact crashes. Ours came with both the front and side air bags as standard equipment. Only the front ones are standard on the LX model, but can be added as an option.

Along with the air bags there is also traction control and 4-wheel ABS (anti-lock) braking with electronic brackfore distribution.

It has the same kind of security keyless remote my other car has. One click unlocks just the drivers side and two unlocks all the doors. There is a button to open the rear when you have your hands full of groceries or gear. The last button is the one used to lock the doors and set the alarm.

The antitheft alarm has an engine immobilizer which is a nice feature.



FINANCING

Even with the 0% financing, we traded in our old van. Since we had just arranged the financing on the Saturn, this one went through in seconds. The cost BEFORE our trade in was $27,912 which would have been payments of $465 a month. With our trade in the payments drop to just over $300, making it a sweet deal.



COLORS

One kind of odd thing (to me anyway) was that we couldn't pick and choose the colors. The way it works is that you pick an outside color and the inside color is already chosen. Given there are only two interior choices, this really isn't that big of deal but I had never came across that before.

We choose the Coastal Blue Metallic exterior which came with the Gray interior.

The other seven choices are ~~ Midnight Blue Mica (Gray), Black Mica (Beige),Shimmering Sand Metallic (Beige), Pure White (Beige), Sage Green Metallic (Beige), Emerald Mica (Beige )and Sunlight Silver Metallic (Gray).



MAZDA DRIVER’S ASSURANCE PLAN

All 2002 Mazda vehicles come with the Mazda Driver's Assurance Plan,which includes:

** 36-month/50,000-mile "bumper-to-bumper," no-deductible limited warranty.

** 24-hour Emergency Roadside Assistance

** Free Mazda Service Transportation Solution, which provides another vehicle to drive if your Mazda is in for a warranty repair.


THIS AND THAT

** It is stated that the 2002 MAZDA MPV can tow 3,000 pounds. We have not tried that but it does tow our boat with ease.

** The air conditioning contains dust and pollen filters.

** There are 10 beverage cups places throughout the van including 2 bottle holders in the sliding doors.

** You can store your CD’s or ?? in the handy pull out storage drawer under the front passenger seat.

** The rear window has interment windshield wipers.

** This van has a 200-hp V6 engine and 5-speed automatic transmission if that means anything to anyone.

** You can read about the Saturn we bought here ~
http://www.epinions.com/content_60026359428


Amount Paid (US$): 27,912
Condition: New
Model Year: 2001
Model and Options: ES, automatic, roof rack