The more things change...

[diogenes]

...the more things stay the same, as the saying goes.

I like to call my Mazda5 a microvan, but a comparison with the original 1984 Chrysler Corp. minivans show that it is very close to the same size:

1984 Plymouth Voyager/Dodge Caravan, 2006 Mazda5
Length, 176.0 in., 181.5 in.
Height, 64.2 in., 64.2 in.
Width, 68.9 in., 69.1 in.
Wheelbase, 112.0 in., 108.3 in.
Curb weight, <3,300 lbs., 3,333/3,389 lbs.
Seats, 7 passengers, 6 passengers
Cargo cap. seats up, 11 cu. ft., 12 cu. ft.
Cargo cap., 3rd row removed/down, NA, 44.4 cu. ft.
Cargo cap., 2nd and 3rd rows removed/down, 125 cu. ft., 90.0 cu. ft.
HP, 101/104, 157
0-60 mph, 14.7 secs. (104 HP eng.), 10.1 secs.
Base price, $10,060, $17,435
Sticker corrected for inflation, $18,621, $17,435


Some conclusions:
* "Regular" minivans have grown a lot since 1984.
* The dimensions that gave the name "magic van" to the 1984 Chryslers still work very well.
* I think the Mazda5 is better in every way than the 1984 Chryslers (check the HP and 0-60 figures, not to mention the safety equipment), and a steal at close to the same price.

Is the Mazda5 bound to grow over the years the same way the "original" minivans did?

.

 

[jandree22]

1997 - 3483 lbs. (Nearly identical to the 5's dimensions)

2007 - 4475 lbs.

That's 100 lbs heavier each year... time to call Jenny Craig

 

[Zoom5Zoom]

ok only catagory missing is trips on tow truck with any chy product

 

[mountjonas]

remember how incredibly tiny the first accord and civic were?

 

[Antoine]

It's probably due to all the "cool" (ugh) stuff like more safety features, emissions control and general size increase (people aren't getting any smaller that's for sure)...The funny thing is...cars today are meant to run cleaner and more efficiently yet all this modern crap makes them weigh A LOT more as well...Sort of defeats the point in some cases...