I was 11 years old in November of 1991 when I went with my dad to buy a 1992 4wd model, ruby mica was the color and he was the first person in the area with one and boy people were jealous. Having a Mazda mpv back then was just like owning a range rover or Toyota land Cruiser because that how popular and sought after they were. Good times man good effing times. I wish I could go back.
Mazda needs to bring these back. Part time 4 wheel drive, good ground clearance, and like WuTang every week we make 40 G's. I had a 1996 MPV 4WD and it was great
I've always liked minivans. If I were in the market back then, I'd probably have cross-shopped it with an Astro, GM Dustbuster vans, Aerostar, Toyota van or Caravan. The Mazda MPV was definitely unique among minivans. I appreciate it more now than when it was new.
Still got a ‘90 MPV. Same colours as this one. Got it to replace another lost in an accident. Good unit and got parts for days with the addition of a 4wd wrecked one.
About 2 years I got one of these, a 93 from a family friend, thing is in brand new condition, aside from some fading clear coat. Actually really impressed with its build quality and drivability......
really surprised with how good the acceleration was on this car, I was expecting the acceleration to be around 1.5-2.0 seconds slower in the 0-60mph run
My mother had one of these when it was new. Black, auto. 1990’s memories, and even in the 2000’s remember driving this van. Quite the experience growing up.
I don't like sliding doors. The MPV was one of the greatest vehicles ever conceived. I wish there was one in 2024. I would make it about 11 inches longer than the original or 186 inches. Then the wheelbase about 4 inches longer, from 110 inches to 114 inches long. I would definitely keep the door configuration as having no backdoor behind the driver added strength to the overall structure of the vehicle, reduced weight and added safety as rearseat passengers had to exit onto the sidewalk and not into moving traffic: brilliant! Mazda's current 2.5L and 6 speed automatic transmission would make for a slightly quicker vehicle while at the same time 30% more economical. The original MPV was so versatile. Great for taking kids to school, roomy enough for most of the basketball team, road trips, off road trips and overnight camping. Ingress and egress was much better than today's oversized SUVs. Lastly, Mazda listens to their customers more than nearly any automotive company. 😊
You don't see these on the street too often anymore, the last time I saw a First generation MAZDA MPV was three years ago and it was actually in good shape, no rust or anything on the body.
My father had a 4wd model and I hated it b/c I was young and stupid. Now I realize this was the best mini van at the time. It had 4wd that could be engaged on the fly while driving and seated 8. This would be a great van if they made it again. That 3 door model made it solid. Plus the 4wd system was simple to work and had a differential setting to get a 50/50 traction drive from the front and rear wheels.
My mom had one when I was growing up, the whole family loved every minute of owning it, and we had it for a very long time. We even towed with it on a regular basis. We'd have the van packed with people and a trailer packed full of camping gear, and it did great.
@bajabusta Thanks man I really wish that MotorWeek would release some sort of DVD box sets which could be organized by year. I looked into buying a few episodes for christmas, but their website doesn't list any sort of episode description so i had no idea which episodes my desired road tests would be included in
Have you noticed that MotorWeek attempts to not piss off the car makers that sponsor them bye not rating the cars equally? Some of the car's braking tests are from 0 to 50 mph and some are 0 255. Mazda must not have greased enough Palms cuz they were judged from 0 to 60 mph
this van cannot at all be compared to an odyssey. Odyssey is just a minivan, MPV was a multi purpose vehicle, an offroader, the odyssey belongs in cities
Ugh, had one of these as my mom's car in the 1990s. I'm convinced now that we had a lemon but as information wasn't as available back then as it is now we didn't know. Constant transmission leakage and the car never wore the tires evenly require many many wheel alignments. Battery never could last over a year because probably had alternator problems and the lack of power was just silly. The engine sounded like a tank above 3k RPM and provided no actual acceleration. Still it served us for about 8 years before we switched to the 2000 honda odyssey and that's still running fine to this day.
My parents had 1990 4x4. W/ diff lock.. this was a stellar vehicle. Very reliable, torquey v6 , very comfortable and super quiet. And holds a ton of cargo.. I was sorry they sold it in 2002 for an suv..:(
I MISS MY MPV!!!!!! My dad always hated having such an old car, we had a 94 through the 2000s, but I absolutely loved this thing and still do. How reliable are they in old age? Someday I may get and maintain one of these....
i have a 1994 mazda mpv and I love it. Its has a powerful v6 and I love driving it. Its now 17 and has over 170,000 miles on it. I Know about the power button but whats the economy button?
I've always liked the first generation Mazda MPV from 1989-1999. I was disappointed when Mazda replaced it with the more modern, albeit hideous looking, front-wheel drive MPV van.
@@42luke93 I've never noticed that about the early MPVs. But like I said, I've never driven one. I've always loved Mazda cars, but until recently, I've never owned or driven one.
Thank you for uploading this video of the original Mazda MPV. I'm not a huge fan of minivans but I admit, the Mazda MPV is one of the very few vans that I wouldn't mind driving at all. My uncle had a 1990 MPV and it was a nice driving van. The only other minivans that l don't mind driving everyday is the Honda Odyssey and of course the older rear engine VW vans.
I got 2 :] 1 is a 1997 4x4 black n grey and a 1998 2wd Golden wich the starter has to be changed and yes rebuilding the 4x4 cuz of inspection yea i know but it's very clean in and out you could lick the engine XD joking got to change left f suspension and timing belt and yes it's a non interference block so 'm fine i guess and a bit rust on rockers cuz of stupid lifting preveously by the 1st owner wich bent the rockers but yea nothing is impossible when you talk about Mpv had one all my life yet i grew up in that thing great memories 4shure and one of the most reliable vehicle ever ! even saved our live's in a huge accident if it wasn't 4 a Mpv maybe we wouldn't have survived... MPV TO THE END :] thanks to all the people supporting Mazda MPV's ! peace may your MPV stay 4 as long as possible on the road where it belong...
@@HiddenGemPictures i do, its supposed to be picked up Friday to be transported to PA but if you give me more than he did ill refund him and save it for ya
Why did Mazda ever make the switch from rear-wheel drive or 4wd to front-wheel drive? I thought they had a good thing going with this version of the MPV. The only thing I think Mazda should've offered as an option would've been a turbodiesel engine.
+Goldenrod636 No, back in the 80's most leather was used for whoopin' bad kids butts. Lexus Acura and Infinity used up all the leather since then and now we have a bunch of bad young adults who should have been whooped but weren't. Society is paying for it now...
+Yin Cheung Lau (Camera Geek) Unless you want a flat floor to put stuff on. Or a low floor to make it easy for the kids to get in. Or want to get stuck in snow and slide all over in winter. Other than that I guess you are right...
My parents had one when I was growing up. The floor was flat, albeit maybe higher than it would have been if the van was designed as front wheel drive. As to the height being an issue for kids, I think older adults complained more than kids. It gave me and my friends a chance to climb, which we would never miss.
Automatic transmission likes to go bad on these mpv. Also you need to change the timing belt and related components and water pump every 60,000 miles or the timing belt will stretch engine will run rough and eventually will bend valves.
wel lit depends if your mpv is 4x4 or not i bet to replace on 4x4 is very dificult but my father used to have a 1992 mpv rear wheel drive 2wd and replacing the starter was very easy i did it n the street
@Ibringthetruth1 Im trying to do this right now. I am thinking about getting an engine hoist or just wrecking the car. There must be an easier way, but two independant mechanics couldn't find one.
I was 11 years old in November of 1991 when I went with my dad to buy a 1992 4wd model, ruby mica was the color and he was the first person in the area with one and boy people were jealous. Having a Mazda mpv back then was just like owning a range rover or Toyota land Cruiser because that how popular and sought after they were. Good times man good effing times. I wish I could go back.
I was 11 in 91 im 41 now lol.but I remember these ,,people were putting big tires on em
Mazda needs to bring these back. Part time 4 wheel drive, good ground clearance, and like WuTang every week we make 40 G's. I had a 1996 MPV 4WD and it was great
I've always liked minivans. If I were in the market back then, I'd probably have cross-shopped it with an Astro, GM Dustbuster vans, Aerostar, Toyota van or Caravan. The Mazda MPV was definitely unique among minivans. I appreciate it more now than when it was new.
2:38 "Hot Blooded" by Foreigner. The line "Can we make a secret rendezvous?" can be heard
Still got a ‘90 MPV. Same colours as this one. Got it to replace another lost in an accident. Good unit and got parts for days with the addition of a 4wd wrecked one.
About 2 years I got one of these, a 93 from a family friend, thing is in brand new condition, aside from some fading clear coat. Actually really impressed with its build quality and drivability......
“The MPV is straightforward” --HE’S LOOKING AT YOU ALIEN SPACECRAFT PREVIA
Not mentioned is that the front seats recline all the way flat for when you're on a date and doing fun stuff
really surprised with how good the acceleration was on this car, I was expecting the acceleration to be around 1.5-2.0 seconds slower in the 0-60mph run
One of the best mini vans for these years!! Bullet proof 3.0 v6 excellent 4wd system
I always loved the Mazda MPV, is sold here in Brazil from 1990s
My mother had one of these when it was new. Black, auto. 1990’s memories, and even in the 2000’s remember driving this van. Quite the experience growing up.
I don't like sliding doors. The MPV was one of the greatest vehicles ever conceived. I wish there was one in 2024. I would make it about 11 inches longer than the original or 186 inches. Then the wheelbase about 4 inches longer, from 110 inches to 114 inches long. I would definitely keep the door configuration as having no backdoor behind the driver added strength to the overall structure of the vehicle, reduced weight and added safety as rearseat passengers had to exit onto the sidewalk and not into moving traffic: brilliant! Mazda's current 2.5L and 6 speed automatic transmission would make for a slightly quicker vehicle while at the same time 30% more economical. The original MPV was so versatile. Great for taking kids to school, roomy enough for most of the basketball team, road trips, off road trips and overnight camping. Ingress and egress was much better than today's oversized SUVs. Lastly, Mazda listens to their customers more than nearly any automotive company. 😊
You don't see these on the street too often anymore, the last time I saw a First generation MAZDA MPV was three years ago and it was actually in good shape, no rust or anything on the body.
They were pretty common in the 90s and early 2000s, tastes changed quickly I guess
My father had a 4wd model and I hated it b/c I was young and stupid. Now I realize this was the best mini van at the time. It had 4wd that could be engaged on the fly while driving and seated 8.
This would be a great van if they made it again. That 3 door model made it solid. Plus the 4wd system was simple to work and had a differential setting to get a 50/50 traction drive from the front and rear wheels.
My mom had one when I was growing up, the whole family loved every minute of owning it, and we had it for a very long time.
We even towed with it on a regular basis. We'd have the van packed with people and a trailer packed full of camping gear, and it did great.
idontcare80 what year was the MPV?
@bajabusta
Thanks man
I really wish that MotorWeek would release some sort of DVD box sets which could be organized by year. I looked into buying a few episodes for christmas, but their website doesn't list any sort of episode description so i had no idea which episodes my desired road tests would be included in
Have you noticed that MotorWeek attempts to not piss off the car makers that sponsor them bye not rating the cars equally? Some of the car's braking tests are from 0 to 50 mph and some are 0 255. Mazda must not have greased enough Palms cuz they were judged from 0 to 60 mph
because they didnt need to
These was the minivan to have as the calendar struck 1990 and into the early '90s before the game-changing Odyssey arrived!
this van cannot at all be compared to an odyssey. Odyssey is just a minivan, MPV was a multi purpose vehicle, an offroader, the odyssey belongs in cities
1st Gen were bulletproof I kinda want one now. My uncle had one and finally gave out at 300k+ miles. He gave it up only because it got rusty
Third row folds down flat. It's heavy as hell too when you un bolt it and try to take it out.
I have a 93 MPV, the seat is removable with similar handles/latches to the middle row, but it still HEAVY AS SH¡T haha
Ugh, had one of these as my mom's car in the 1990s. I'm convinced now that we had a lemon but as information wasn't as available back then as it is now we didn't know.
Constant transmission leakage and the car never wore the tires evenly require many many wheel alignments. Battery never could last over a year because probably had alternator problems and the lack of power was just silly. The engine sounded like a tank above 3k RPM and provided no actual acceleration.
Still it served us for about 8 years before we switched to the 2000 honda odyssey and that's still running fine to this day.
Yeah yours was really broken mine is great to this day
@@jacobfleming565 I might be buying one in the next few days. How many miles can you get out of one of these?
@@felipesixshooter i had 280k when i sold mine. it needed a few minor things but it drove great. these things are alot tougher than they look
@@jacobfleming565 Thanks for the reply. I just bought a 4x4 99' with 143K. Seems really clean. Looking forward to taking it out.
@@jacobfleming565 Thanks. I bought it. Hope I get as many miles as you did.
My parents had 1990 4x4. W/ diff lock.. this was a stellar vehicle. Very reliable, torquey v6 , very comfortable and super quiet. And holds a ton of cargo.. I was sorry they sold it in 2002 for an suv..:(
I remember seeing these when I was a kid. I didn't know they were from the 80s though. I figured 90s
I MISS MY MPV!!!!!!
My dad always hated having such an old car, we had a 94 through the 2000s, but I absolutely loved this thing and still do. How reliable are they in old age? Someday I may get and maintain one of these....
My friend used to have this one so I used to drive it a lot very durable and reliable vehicle!!! A bit thirsty on the gas but what do you expect
Wow not bad I saw one of these for the first time in a while today
i have a 1994 mazda mpv and I love it. Its has a powerful v6 and I love driving it. Its now 17 and has over 170,000 miles on it. I Know about the power button but whats the economy button?
I've always liked the first generation Mazda MPV from 1989-1999. I was disappointed when Mazda replaced it with the more modern, albeit hideous looking, front-wheel drive MPV van.
I wish they still made MPV with column shifter and basic too.
@@42luke93 Although I regret that I've never driven an MPV, I agree. These old-school Mazda MPVs would've made perfect taxicabs. :)
Jason Carpp
Yeah and I never realized how they actually seem to be the first type of minivan with slide down passenger windows.
@@42luke93 I've never noticed that about the early MPVs. But like I said, I've never driven one. I've always loved Mazda cars, but until recently, I've never owned or driven one.
Jason Carpp
I mean the early 2000s one, but yeah I’ve never even been in one either.
Wu-Tang Clan and Biz Markie's car of choice
is there a story here?
Rolling across seas, rolling on mpvs, every week we made 40Gs!
I always wanted to ride in one.
This was the SUV like van, definitely different than the rest, we had a 2004 Mazda mpv for 16 years no problem, we had a 95 mpv before that one
Those are smooth! Miss my dad's old rwd mpv.
Thank you for uploading this video of the original Mazda MPV. I'm not a huge fan of minivans but I admit, the Mazda MPV is one of the very few vans that I wouldn't mind driving at all. My uncle had a 1990 MPV and it was a nice driving van. The only other minivans that l don't mind driving everyday is the Honda Odyssey and of course the older rear engine VW vans.
never knew it was rear wheel drive...my godmom had one i always rode in..miss it
Road Test of the 1989 Mazda MPV.
I got 2 :] 1 is a 1997 4x4 black n grey and a 1998 2wd Golden wich the starter has to be changed and yes rebuilding the 4x4 cuz of inspection yea i know but it's very clean in and out you could lick the engine XD joking got to change left f suspension and timing belt and yes it's a non interference block so 'm fine i guess and a bit rust on rockers cuz of stupid lifting preveously by the 1st owner wich bent the rockers but yea nothing is impossible when you talk about Mpv had one all my life yet i grew up in that thing great memories 4shure and one of the most reliable vehicle ever ! even saved our live's in a huge accident if it wasn't 4 a Mpv maybe we wouldn't have survived... MPV TO THE END :] thanks to all the people supporting Mazda MPV's ! peace may your MPV stay 4 as long as possible on the road where it belong...
what does MPV stand for they look like minivans without sliding doors
Multi-Purpose Vehicle
is that Foreigner's "Hot Blooded" playing at 2:40?
Yes it is
that looks like it would have been a very good van to buy back in the day
My first car was a Mazda MPV 94.
I'm looking to purchase a 1998 Mazda MPV can someone direct me to a seller?
I have one in las vegas 1998 mpv 4x4
@@tpsvegas2659 do you still have it?
@@HiddenGemPictures i do, its supposed to be picked up Friday to be transported to PA but if you give me more than he did ill refund him and save it for ya
@@tpsvegas2659 do you have it listed anywhere? I don't think I can get it that soon but I'm interested in looking at in. In Colorado.
3 doors un traditional 4 doors should have been standard. Makes more sense on that body style.
this is a really nice old car
Got a 94 4wd. Planning to customize and engine swap
I have a 1994 Mazda MPV and the middle and back seats have head rests. How come this one doesnt have head rests? The seats look better without them!
It's older. We have a 1991 and it doesn't have headrests other than in the front seats.
Gotta love my Mazda MPV
Why did Mazda ever make the switch from rear-wheel drive or 4wd to front-wheel drive? I thought they had a good thing going with this version of the MPV. The only thing I think Mazda should've offered as an option would've been a turbodiesel engine.
Because the MPV was on the 929 platform originally and Mazda stopped building the 929 in 1997.
"Motor Hweek"
MotorWeek- 1989 Mazda MPV
Was leather an option for this generation?
+Goldenrod636 No, back in the 80's most leather was used for whoopin' bad kids butts. Lexus Acura and Infinity used up all the leather since then and now we have a bunch of bad young adults who should have been whooped but weren't. Society is paying for it now...
Yes, there was a leather option back then
rear-wheel-drive is better than front-wheel-drive!
+Yin Cheung Lau (Camera Geek) Unless you want a flat floor to put stuff on. Or a low floor to make it easy for the kids to get in. Or want to get stuck in snow and slide all over in winter. Other than that I guess you are right...
My parents had one when I was growing up. The floor was flat, albeit maybe higher than it would have been if the van was designed as front wheel drive. As to the height being an issue for kids, I think older adults complained more than kids. It gave me and my friends a chance to climb, which we would never miss.
Automatic transmission likes to go bad on these mpv. Also you need to change the timing belt and related components and water pump every 60,000 miles or the timing belt will stretch engine will run rough and eventually will bend valves.
wel lit depends if your mpv is 4x4 or not i bet to replace on 4x4 is very dificult but my father used to have a 1992 mpv rear wheel drive 2wd and replacing the starter was very easy i did it n the street
@Ibringthetruth1
Im trying to do this right now. I am thinking about getting an engine hoist or just wrecking the car. There must be an easier way, but two independant mechanics couldn't find one.
how do you fix the load levelers on a mazda mpv 98 4+4
+Patrick Mahoney Install heavy duty springs for a 4x4 model without load leveling :)
If you continue posting MW I will be stopping by more often! I usally watch Baja's videos. Thnx! :D
lol...i don't think mazda was so reliable in those days...
Mine is a 2004 and I wouldn't exactly call it reliable either.
A 3 door crossover? What a pity. I know they advertise it a minivan, but I'm too modern to call it that when it doesn't have slide doors.
Tupac rode in this car after spitting at paparazzi .
2.5 liter v6 with 3 valves per cylinder. interesting.
It's a 3.0 v6
Same mpv van alpo had during his drug dealing days/killings
something resembling a bed lol
C.R.E.A.M
Could he sound anymore disgusted when saying "Japanese??"
To tengo la misma camioneta
New york
i have maza mpv dezel i ove it
I hate that minivan 🚐🤮
Why????