1996 Mazda MPV

LX Minivan/Van

3.0L V6 Cylinder Gasoline Fuel

Automatic

JM3LV5220T0804241

Clear

Rear Wheel Drive

Gasoline

Life support system for a great air conditioner, and it leaks oil. Yes, it leaks from the front main seal (or thereabouts, as I have not felt bull-goose enough to pull the front cover and confirm that it isn’t a camshaft seal…so let’s agree it’s leaking from a seal in the front). Being oil pressure related, it’s leaks about half a quart in 25 miles, and then calms down leaks the other half an additional 75 miles or so. My solution is to add a quart of oil every 100 miles or so. Having 235000 miles on it, and not being babied in the first 203000 before I took ownership in Sept 2008, it also fouls plugs 3 and 4 every 2000 miles or so. My solution is to change plugs 3 and 4 every 2000 miles or so. Also, it will go all medieval on you if you tackle a steep hill at slow speeds. It will dump every code it has into the OBD computer until they start spilling out onto the floor. It’s done this about three times, and I suspect that it might be excessive blow-by at high load/low rpm, but it could be a computer issue or a partially plugged catalytic converter. Or something else; I can’t make myself pull the front engine cover to determine the source of a leak, so I’m sure not up for crawling around under the thing whacking on parts and pretending that I know what the hell I am doing. I’m just happy that it starts every day, has a fine AC and doesn’t lay a smoke screen. The transmission, brakes, charging system, cooling system, tires, AC and other Really Important Stuff all do their jobs, some better than others. The rear wiper sometimes works and sometimes doesn’t, so when the blade rotted off I found a new mini blade laying on the ground and stuck that on instead. It looks better than a rotting blade and I felt green all over for repurposing the mini blade. Also, there is only one interior light functioning, which I find to be an advantage for those times when one of my kids forgets their iPod or ammunition or something and goes back for it and then neglects to shut the door. One light won’t drain the battery as quickly. And the dash light illuminating the slow half of the temp guage is out, but replacing it seemingly involves pulling the steering wheel, so I am just content with the idea that it only matters if the needle ventures to the hot side, and that side of the dial is lit. The right rear passenger door does not open from the outside, and as soon as I can spin that into a positive feature I’ll edit this entry. Oh, and the outside mirrors stopped electronically adjusting at some point, which has not been a problem as they are placed perfectly for me and none of my family would be caught dead driving this thing, anyway. They (the mirrors, not my family) can be adjusted manually, or you can adjust yourself to the stature of a 5’6” male who sits proudly at the helm. Your call. The power windows and locks work, although the driver’s window sometimes goes into full Dog Patch mode and requires some help in the ascent. There is no remote, but if you’re exceptionally long of reach you could stand some distance from the door and seem remote. Should that be the case, however, you’d likely have to manually adjust the mirrors. The seats are Mouse Fur or Essence of Unborn Peach or some mid 90s synthetic material that has held up well, despite a previous owner’s smoking habit. The third seat is included, but it weighs about 300 pounds and I have not manned up and fetched it from the tool shed yet. The seats photograph better than they look, but the interior isn’t malodorous or all that disreputable. My elderly dog likes it, partly because one of the front AC vents is stuck on Blow Straight position, which is aimed right where she sits, between the seats with head positioned for scratching. The AC is why I kept this thing. Also, it does have front airbags and 4 wheel disc brakes with anti-lock, which is one reason I thought about keeping it for the aforementioned kids. They see this vehicle as one huge birth-control device (reason #2 to keep it) though, and have opined that a vintage bike with a big basket on the front would be their first choice. Fair enough. So, it starts every day, gets 17-20 mpg, has a cold AC and leaks oil. Would I drive it 500 miles? Sure. In 75 mile sections with rest periods in between. It’s 16 years old and has 235000 miles on it; a suitable vehicle for how I use it, namely, Kommuter Kar and dog transport. And the starting bid/reserve is exactly what the junk yard offered + cost of listing. Plus, you get a repair manual, parts list, several quarts of oil, numerous sparkplugs and the cachet of knowing that nobody will think you base your identity on your car. Such a deal.