Confused! Which van has the best gas mileage?

[UltArc]

Originally Posted by PaleMelanesian

What's an MP5? You mean the Mazda5 true-mini van? I like it, but it is small.

As someone who needs the seat to carry people, the Odyssey has way more space. If you use all the seats, there's next to no cargo space. (pic) Mazda's website won't even list it. It offers 45 cu ft with the 3rd row folded. The Odyssey offers 38 cu ft with all seats up, 93 behind row 2. My grandmother has one and I borrowed it for a couple days. It'd work well for my car and occasional family duty, but as a primary family car, no.

The basic Odyssey you can get for 28 is just a van. Besides the Mazda, it's the best "driver's car" van. I don't need most of the junk that bloats the price to $45,000. That's why I'm glad the economy options are now available on the base model. To my mind, paying that much for "features" is just stupid.

To sum up, for $8k more you get a lot more vehicle and equal mileage. If you don't need the size, the Mazda is a good choice. If you do, I'm glad the Ody is there.

MPV, MP5, now it's the Mazda 5. I firmly believe a standard can see highway MPG anytime it's driven, with the exception of NYC type driving of literally constant stop and go. I do see the reasoning behind it. Size wise, the Mazda doesn't compare- and the Odyssey definitely has some guts to it, ~245 hp, compared to the mid 100s of the Mazda.

[alohaspirit]

wouldnt a 2003 caravan for $3000-5000 be a better option in the long run?

then you just do aeromods

[PaleMelanesian]

Looking at the financial big picture, you have a solid point there. Low purchase price can overcome a lot. It would take many miles to make up the price difference in fuel savings.

Caravan: 18/25 mpg
New Ody: 19/28 mpg

[ProDarwin]

FWIW, the 1st gen Oddy is still EPA rated at 21mpg combined, with a 25mpg average from users. It has a 4cyl Accord drivetrain.

[Fat Charlie]

Hondas cost a lot because they're great cars, Honda knows it, and people will pay it.

I looked at the Mazda, but went with the Dodge. The Mazda checked off the box with seating, had a better mpg rating and cost more. The Dodge has the seats that drop into the floor, I'm not afraid to tow our camper with it and the price was great.

I was looking at the 01-07 minivan platform for the price, but my wife wanted something newer than that. It's a good platform.

[101Volts]

Originally Posted by PaleMelanesian

Looking at the financial big picture, you have a solid point there. Low purchase price can overcome a lot. It would take many miles to make up the price difference in fuel savings.

Caravan: 18/25 mpg
New Ody: 19/28 mpg

True, And my Dad paid $1,800 for the Caravan we have without the A/C belt on it.

And that's part of why my parents and I have the 1984 Caprice Classic; It was given to us from a family member at no charge. It's just sitting there most of the time, Though.

[alohaspirit]

Originally Posted by PaleMelanesian

Looking at the financial big picture, you have a solid point there. Low purchase price can overcome a lot. It would take many miles to make up the price difference in fuel savings.

Caravan: 18/25 mpg
New Ody: 19/28 mpg

thanks. it would take a lot to make up that difference

Originally Posted by ProDarwin

FWIW, the 1st gen Oddy is still EPA rated at 21mpg combined, with a 25mpg average from users. It has a 4cyl Accord drivetrain.

ive looked at a few vans and this is what i found

hondas have transmission problems
toyotas have sludge problems
dodge have belt slip problems

Originally Posted by 101Volts

True, And my Dad paid $1,800 for the Caravan we have without the A/C belt on it.

sounds good

[Allch Chcar]

I can speak for the newer MZ5(technically Mazda Mazda5 haha). The rated 22/28 is accurate. I have seen MPG in the teens driving it super short distances around town when driven aggressively short distance(not me) or moving items or shuttling people. But it is capable of low 30's at highway speeds(55MPH). The older ones have the 2.3L MZR. I have the 2012 with the 2.5L MZR. It is basically the same engine/transmission as in the Mazda3 S trims. MT is only on the base Sport trim and super rare. But it is the only Mini-van with a 6 speed standard. If you find one cheap enough or with a bad transmission there might be an advantage to swapping in the Mazdaspeed3 transmission.

The one issue I always seem to have is cargo room with 6 passengers. We're used to fitting snugly as it is but we typically have to stuff backpacks and other cargo inbetween the middle seats and all along the floor. I have moved sofas, dressers, and desks with it. And we have made overnight trips with 6 people. When hauling furniture I usually have to leave the rear hatch open and tie it down with a cargo strap. I've looked into getting a tow hitch since it could really come in handy. It would look really nice with a drop, pizzapans, tint, antenna delete, hatch spoiler, and LRR summer tires. Many of the Mazdaspeed3 or regular Mazda3 parts swap right over so I have looked at used parts for things like sway bars and exhaust.

I pumped up the tires to 40 PSI and holy Carp is the handling good, for a mini-van.

[PaleMelanesian]

I'm waiting eagerly to see how the new 5 turns out. If they give it upgrades like the CX-5 (26/35 mpg) and 3 (29/40), it'll be a home run. I'd expect maybe 24/32 mpg and six passenger capability, and of course Mazda handling.