Does any one here own a Mazda MPV Van? (2000 to 2006 Models)

[ilovewindex]

So a week ago if you had told me my 2008 Mercedes C300 with 161K would be nothing more than scrap, I would have gone nuts... However, that scenerio has happened...Every one was ok, but the car is gone.. Long story short, i didn't know state farm had my old debit card and my insurance was cancled...Oops... Big oops....

I have made amends with all parties involved and getting every one squared away.. With what I have at hand and needing to help my roommate get his own darn car (which we did, a nice Hyundai Elantra Hatchback with 90k.. Has been wrecked before and has some dings and dents but for $2500 it was a good deal) I am looking for a nice 3K to 4K Van/Car

I Currently have a 2000 Exploder with 156K, engine timing chain rattles like a ghost with chains, but it runs fine and drives fine.. But its more of a beater/3rd car as the back door is broken and it has a few other oddities..

So...

I found a 2002 Mazda MPV with 135K for $3000... Going to view it tomorrow.. Also looking at a 2000 MPV, a 1999 F150 Super Cab, 95 GMC Sonoma Ext Cab 2wd (The cheapest), and maybe a 2007 Nissan Quest with 133K (Its $500 over budget and i've read some not so nice things about them)

Any thoughts on what I am looking at or ideas??
I will miss having a mercedes, but, its just not practical for me any more

 

[vacerator]

Mazda's

are very reliable, of course, as mileage and time compounds, any vehicle can become ill.
Gas is up a bit, and as good as F-150's have always been, that heavy older one is a bit thirsty.
The GMC S series are also good little trucks. The 4,3 litre V6 is a workhorse. If it has the 4 cylinder, good on gas, not so good on power.
Have you considered the last generation Chevy Venture, or Pontiac SV6, or Montana?
I see a lot of them still on the roads. Even rusty, they are running.
Nissan builds a good product, but I know little about the older Quest vans.
If they have the same Aisin automatic trans. as the VW Golf of that era, steer clear of it. At about 80 thousand miles, they are notorious not to shift out of first or second gear. Aisin spun off of Nissan.