Handles like a sedan, not truck-like. Smaller than most mini-vans, but uses interior space very well. Best looking mini on the road(IMO). Love the tumble thrid row and roll down rear windows. Great sound system and great choice of exterior colors

Gear shift lever blocks some of the radio controls. Wish the MPV had traction control.

A GREAT van at a great price. My Wife and I feel this van has enough power for our family of 4.

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Test drove 2001 Caravan, rode very well. I don't have any confidence in DC products. Considered ODY....... too big, too expensive, poor color choices and not as reliable as the MPV.

Very stylish look outside, smart interior Design (the rear bench can fold into floor and the middle seat can become bed like)
Nice dash board layout. Middle windows can row down and pop out rear window to wash out the heat(you will be appricate when summer time come)
Good handling; drive like a car.



Good handling on road; drive like a car

Power is acceptable (not a sport car), however, the gas consumption is way off. It was estimated at 13.7 liter/100KM for city by manufacture but I found it is about 17.5 liter/100KM for city. If throw in a 3.0 engine, that would be perfect van and the gas consumption would be the same as well.

The North American manufuture(s) should make an effort to improve their products; they should focus on quality control and not quantity...
No problem doesn't meant there's no improvement is a wrong attitude;You take a look at any North American Van, who came up with this folding seat idear, row down in middle row window and they've been in the market for so long.
20 yrs ago, they were amazed by other nation that their product(s) were so good and Hi-Tech,and now, they were also amazed by other nation that their product(s) were remained the same like 20 yrs ago.

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Doge Caravan, Windstar - I only test driving but found both handling are like Van and no suprised.

V-6 ENGINE TO HANDLE 7 PASSENGER,SUSPENSION,BODY STYLE,ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM ALLOWS THE PASSENGERS TO PLAY GAMES OR WATCH MOVIES ON LONG DRIVING,TWO SIDE SLIDING DOORS,9 SPEAKERS,IN-DASH 6 DISC CD CHANGER,9 CUP HOLDERS AND ROOM FOR LUGGAGES.

170 HP, BUT STILL GOOD TO HANDLE 7 PASSENGERS FOR LONG DRIVING.

VERY SMOOTH TO DRIVE WITH A LOT OF OPTIONS.GOOD FOR LONG DRIVING ESPECIALLY THE ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM THATS INCLUDE TV,VCR WITH REMOTE AND EXTRA PLUG FOR PLAYING PS2 OR ANY KIND OF GAMING CONSOLE.SOUND IS TERRIFIC,LOOK LIKE YOU ARE IN A MOVIE THEATER.BODY-STYLE IS SO SEXY IF YOU GET THE "ES MODEL" BETTER THAN ODDYSEY.WINDSHIELD IS WIDE AND EASE TO SEE THE ROAD.

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None

Styling is distinctive, especially in the front; ride and seating are extremely comfortable; handling is phenomenal for a minivan--better than most sedans; power is smooth and predictable [I disagree with those who complain about the power, and I came from a Cherokee]; well appointed and well thought-out dashboard; side-by-slide 2nd row seats and disappearing 3rd row seat

There are too many stalks around the steering wheel, and the washer/wiper switch is hopelessly complicated; a tendency to go faster than you think you are [a function of the exceptional handling].

The van is simply a ball to drive; one owner described it as a driver's van, and it is. Its handling is superb, and it has sufficient power to take the steep hills of Pittsburgh without even beginning to get winded, even with a driver and two adult pasengers. And it cruises effortlessly at 70+ -- so effortlessly that you think you're doing about 50 until you notice that all the other cars seem to be on a Sunday drive and look down at your speedometer.
The interior is spacious, especially considering its small exterior footprint. The dashboard is distinctive and incredibly user friendly, allowing the driver tokeep his eyes on the road while dealing with various controls and knobs.
MAybe the single best reason to buy it is that it is so far pretty much undiscovered by th public. As a result, the dealers--and Mazda-- are VERY eager to deal. I got mine for $1k under invoice. And I didn't have to wait a couple of months to pick it up.

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Nissan Stanza, Nissan Axxess, Plymouth Voyager, Jeep Cherokee

interior has held up
lots of room
good sounding stereo
paint has held up well
smoothe ride
very little service required

oil leak of some sort - can't seem to pinpoint the problem (no problems at all until about 100,000 miles)
doesn't go AT ALL in bad weather - even sometimes difficult to drive in rain (if you go through puddles in the road)
gear shift handle cracked into two pieces (after about 125,000 miles)
cassette player broke (after about 100,000 miles)
dash cracked (very small crack after about 100,000 miles)
"Check Motor" light comes on every 10,000 miles and you have to take it to a dealer/shop to get it turned off (maybe that's common in most vehicles - I don't know)

I have almost 200,000 miles on this vehicle. I have never had it in a shop for extensive work. All of the problems I listed above are to be expected when a vehicle has so many miles on it. It really has been a good vehicle, and I would recommend it to anyone. I haven't driven the newer models or the 4WD models, so I can't speak for those, but our older model has been good. It's not a vehicle to drive in bad weather. I will caution people about that. I've had quite a few "close calls" in it. The gas mileage isn't bad. Probably would be better if we could figure out the oil leak problem.

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None

Excellent dual a/c system; bought the car brand-new and NEVER had to service the a/c system.

Valve-lifter noise with V6 engine due to faulty engine design; need to change the oil every 1500 miles to stop noise. Transmission will need at least one overhaul during ownership to the tune of $2000+

Pleasant vehicle to drive though the MPV is smaller and more cramped than the competition. Acceleration with the V6 engine is tepid with a full load of passengers on board, but adequate when lightly loaded. Mazda could have used the 24-valve 3-liter engine for this minivan instead of the 18-valve 3-liter engine. Ironically, the 24-valve 3-liter engine powered the smaller and lighter 929 model. Repair costs for this vehicle are pricey and reliability is average. Good bye Mazda MPV, hello Honda Odyssey!

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First minivan owned

Love the way it drives and handles, easy to park,great speaker sound with the stereo system. Reliable for the most part over the last 11 years that we have owned it. REally liked the way the back door opened like a car. Front seats comfortable for long rides and great visability out the front. The size and visability have made it the easiest minivan for my wife to drive and maneuver. A/C has worked great, much better than my Honda Accord's!

Valve lifter clicking started early- replaced valves under warranty in the first 2-3 years, but returned over the last 3-4 years. Frequent brake work and early strut replacement in the first 3-4 years. Now replacing the master cylinder which has gone bad. Oil leak around the crank seal. Interior has held up well except for all the plastic now cracking and breaking. Has become difficult to shift and the transmission is starting to show problems- now at 140,000 miles, but have not had to have it overhauled. Very poor backup lights- hope this has been fixed with recent models.Bench second seat very uncomfortable, and have often wished for a 4th door for the kids to get in and out of.

Overall- we have been fairly happy, although it seems like this minivan had early problems that thank goodness were covered under the longer warranty that Mazda provided. But now after 11 years with this van we are in the market and looking for a new van and I am leaning toward the Honda for better reliability and larger size - although the more reasonable cost of the Mazda keeps luring me back. The valve lifter problem and early strut replacement and now the master cylinder- never had these problems with my Honda or Toyota. My mechanic says- stay away from Mitsibishi made motors! If we do buy another Mazda- I will definitely get a roof rack as we just did not have the room we needed for long vacations and all the stuff we pack!

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The first and only minivan we have owned- Have owned a Toyota Corolla which we drove into the ground and was worth every penny paid. Now have a Honda Accord which drives great, but we still need the space of a minivan for long travel with the kids and dog

Strong as a vault. Safe as a vault too. Very spacious and airy. Luxurious feel. Extremely comfortable seats. Front and rear A/C (separate rear heating and A/C vents!!!). Quality base stereo. Excellent fit and finish. Great tires. SUPREME RELIABILITY!

Cheap hard plastics. Factory headlights weak. Very unfortunate gas mileage. Wind and tire noise. Prone to be tossed by winds in high speed, but still remains stable and planted. Very high step-in height. Sometimes hesitant gearbox.

Although it costs a lot to run this vehicle, there are no major complaints at all. I only wish Mazda did not overestimate the MPG figures so much for the window sticker. Otherwise, this car runs perfectly, has impeccable fit-and-finish typical of all Mazdas, and will continue to run for another 3 years without any problems. Bought with an extended warranty, so it is now to 6 years INCLUDING roadside assistance. Used MPVs should have absolutely no problems at all. However, car was expensive, depreciates fast, and costs a lot to maintain.

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In a class of its own. No van is like it, and no SUV is like it. Subaru Outback simply too small and wimpy compared to this giant.

good quality,good interior space,well built,have 34,000 miles and no problems.

front seat not far back enough for people over 6'3"

I recommend this van but you must modify a few things
1) install a 2 1/2 " exhuast and high flow exhaust , this will increase horsepower 10 ponies. This van is no longer a dog with the new exhaust.
You will not believe the improvement throughout driving range!
2) get rid of cheap Dunlop tires and install expensive Goodyear or Micehlins tires increase to size 22560r16. Have a good alignemtn done. The van is out of alignment from the factory.The van will ride like a differant van with the bigger better tires,no rubbing problems even fully loaded.
3)if over 6'3" you have to modify front seat bracket and weld new seat rail , then you will have lots of legroom. My knees used to hit lower dash.

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ford windstar is too bulky and unrefined

Like its style and design. Great interior. Nice seat especially in the back, the folding seats. It is better than a Dodge because it is well built and it is priced better.

Head rest for the back seat and some lack of power.

It is a nice wagon, look more like a mini-van with sedan type of handling and driving. Engine is smooth. Interior is nice with an okay stero system. Probably more power would be a plus. It price is very nice, affordable and okay for an mini-van. This van can go through a lot of tough experincen for a long time.

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Dodge Carvan