2003 Mazda MPV Consumer Reviews

One of the Best Minivans

Written by: Big Papi on 07/18/2008

Vehicle

2003 Mazda MPV LX 4dr Minivan (3.0L 6cyl 5A)

Review

Bought our '03 LX in late 03 when they had great rebates. This van has done it all for us. It tows a popup camper (our LX has the tow package), hauls the kids AND the grandparent thanks to the 3 row seats and has conquered the New England winters. We also like the size (a bit smaller than the Honda, Toyota). No serious mechanical problems, all the little things were covered under warranty. V6 had plenty of power and is rides very well on the highway. Do yourself a favor and check out the used MPVs - they are a bargain!!

Favorite Features

V6 power. Smooth ride. Good MPG for a 7 passenger vehicle (~25 hwy). Very reliable. Power windows on the sliding doors. Fold down 3rd row seats. Tow package. 4-seasons package. The kids love it !

Suggested Improvements

The original Dunlop Sport 4000 tires were junk.

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Great vehicle

Written by: thutton on 06/03/2008

Vehicle

2003 Mazda MPV LX 4dr Minivan (3.0L 6cyl 5A)

Review

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.

Favorite Features

Electric doors, 3.0 V6, overall size, handling

Suggested Improvements

Power rear door, stereo speakers, improved dealer quality

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It just keesp running!!

Written by: Randy on 11/07/2007

Vehicle

2003 Mazda MPV LX 4dr Minivan (3.0L 6cyl 5A)

Review

I bought this van brand new. Two deer have totaled out the front quarter, it is a little top heavy and dangerous on water, but for the most part if you put water tires on it that fixes the problem. I am upset that they discontinued the van.

Favorite Features

Acceleration, looks, roomieness.

Suggested Improvements

Lower the van closer to the ground and widen it so it's not so top heavy.

1 out 2 people found this review helpful

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5 yrs & 50K miles

Written by: Lynda Marie on 08/10/2007

Vehicle

2003 Mazda MPV ES 4dr Minivan (3.0L 6cyl 5A)

Review

Bought new and still love the van. None of the problems some others on this site seem to have; just new tires, oil changes and recommended maint. Still getting 20 mpg in town and about 25-26 hwy. (Yes, I do drive it nicely - most of the time.) Excellent size for running around town and adequate storage space for trips.

Favorite Features

Size, reliability (so far), decent gas milage, ease of exit/entrance (for grandpartents!), easy flip over rear seat.

Suggested Improvements

Nothing major. I realize a minivan is never going to be a Ferrari. Zoom-zoom???

1 out 2 people found this review helpful

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One solid family mover

Written by: X on 03/29/2007

Vehicle

2003 Mazda MPV ES 4dr Minivan (3.0L 6cyl 5A)

Review

We bought this van new 3 years ago and 50K miles later we have had no problems. This is very refreshing after our last van, a 98 Windstar was one problem after another. Pick-up is adequate. It cruises down the highway very well.

Favorite Features

Reliablity and dependability, nothing but oil changes and tires so far. Keyless entry and remote doors are a must for people with young children, so you can get the little ones out of the parking lot and into the van. I also like the size of this van. All other vans are a lot like a school bus

Suggested Improvements

Fold away middle row seats. Also the factory tires were too performance based and should have been all weather.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Mazda MPV

Written by: Antoinette Johnson on 10/25/2006

Vehicle

2003 Mazda MPV LX-SV 4dr Minivan (3.0L 6cyl 5A)

Review

I have enjoyed my van a lot. I prefer to drive it more than my other car. The ride is smooth, and it is very reliable.

Favorite Features

Leather interior.

Suggested Improvements

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Not very happy

Written by: Pauline on 10/20/2006

Vehicle

2003 Mazda MPV ES 4dr Minivan (3.0L 6cyl 5A)

Review

Had to replace 2 coils? # 4 and #6, at 275.00 each time! Brakes went fast and had calibers sticking. Several electronic issues, and some aesthetics like air conditioner flows right into the steering wheel, and it is a weak cool air system. Electric doors don't shut at the most inappropriate times.

Favorite Features

Back windows go down, and the price was about $5000 lower, but it seems I am paying for it now.

Suggested Improvements

Coils? what the heck? Use a freaking distributor cap - why am I paying each time a coil goes bad!~ AWFUL VAN and would never use another Mazda again, back to Toyota I go.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Hello shop

Written by: mom3anddog on 09/17/2006

Vehicle

2003 Mazda MPV LX 4dr Minivan (3.0L 6cyl 5A)

Review

Bought my MVP new, tired of going to the shop with my old car. 3 kids wanted a new vehicle so I would only go in for regular maintenance. Sliding doors would not stay shut first few months, started shifting hard (been in 3 or 4 times in the last three years), Brake pads 1st year, brake pads-rotate rotors 2nd year, end of stabilizing bar replaced, doesn't want to come out of park sometimes (actually told I needed to put my foot on the brake to take out of gear - automatic - been driving for 20 years). Been in the shop now 3 times in 5 days to fix the lack of power, missing, was vacuum hose.

Favorite Features

Sliding doors and windows, temperature control in rear, fold away rear seats, sliding middle seat, extra large windshield fluid.

Suggested Improvements

Gear shift is the way of center controls, better lumbar support, drink holder & heating controls in back need separated, fix the shifting problems and brake issues

4 out 9 people found this review helpful

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Excellent Choice for Family

Written by: tw on 06/06/2006

Vehicle

2003 Mazda MPV LX 4dr Minivan (3.0L 6cyl 5A)

Review

We bought our MPV LX brand new in late 2002. 3 1/2 years and 80,000 miles later, we are still very happy with the van. It is smaller than Honda and Toyota minivans, and is just the perfect size for a family of 4. Originally my wife insisted on buying a minivan after our first child was born. I hesitated to be seen in a minivan. But we rented an MPV during a vacation and felt in love with the size and handling. We have only had one mechanical problem with a radiator hose during the 80,000 miles we've had the van. The problem occurred around 30,000 miles, and was fixed by the dealer (there was a bulletin on the issue). Other than that, it has been very reliable.

Favorite Features

Perfect size. Great handling (for a minivan). Versatile seating arrangements (handy if you want to carry lots of stuff or haul up to 7 people). Great performance (for minivan) and reliability. Love the power sliding doors.

Suggested Improvements

3rd row headrests that must be manually removed when seat is folded into the floor. No split folding 3rd row seat.

8 out 8 people found this review helpful

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I love it

Written by: gailnicko on 05/09/2006

Vehicle

2003 Mazda MPV LX 4dr Minivan (3.0L 6cyl 5A)

Review

i really enjoy driving the car, the seats are very comfortable. I dislike the headrests, which cannot be utilized while on trips (they need to be extended forward). Service visits have been the minimum for almost 2 years that I have owned it.

Favorite Features

I love the electronic/sliding rear doors.

Suggested Improvements

Why not electronic back door, too. Why are there 2 levers nears the driver - one is for wipers, one for gear, but it's one too many. Need head rests that work on long drives - these are impossible, and need to be extended several inches forward to be comfortable!

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