Almost no one will ever think of driving in Japan. But I did because it's cheaper when traveling in a large group, such as total 7 persons in this case. If you don't understand Japanese, then the stock GPS will be epic fail for any 'mericun.
Anyway, I picked up a non-turbo 4WD (not by choice) MPV in Tokyo (near Ginza), and drove to the hotel to pick up the luggage, then drive onto the Shuto Expressway to out of town and into Nagoya (to stop by the Toyota factory to have a tour... so worth it... and it's too damn far to drive from Tokyo to Hiroshima
).
The non-turbo L3-VE engine (same engine as in the 3/5/6) is a little underpowered on the highway, but it has plenty of torque to get it going with a van full of baggage including 7 persons. The 4WD also adds a 6 speed auto so the gas mileage is amazingly good.
The handling is typical of a "FWD" minivan... suspension is soft and the handling is minivan typical. Nothing to really praise about. Steering isn't sporty feel like what you'd find in the mazdas sold in the US. Perhaps because this is a non-turbo model that there isn't a "sport tuned" suspension. Either way, it's more for utilitarian purposes than for driving.
This 3rd gen MPV is much more roomy and bigger than the 2nd gen POS. It is more comfortable, and the seats are much better (though still bad compared to the 3 or protege's). Fit and finish is just typical of a late model mazda, not great, just okay. Plastics feel/look cheap in many places in typical late model mazda fashion. The 2nd row seats have a "lazyboy" style footrest and a tilting head rest.
The gauges are mad tyte blue and are awesome, there's a blue glow light above the dashboard too. The stock touch screen GPS kicks ass and it gives very clear and precise directions (much ahead of time before your turn). Traffic accident reports are instant and tells you exactly where it is. The GPS understands which lane you are in too. It's night and day difference from the bulls*** we have to live with in the states!
Anyway, pics... probably won't have more posted for a while... driving to Kyoto tomorrow.
Anyway, I picked up a non-turbo 4WD (not by choice) MPV in Tokyo (near Ginza), and drove to the hotel to pick up the luggage, then drive onto the Shuto Expressway to out of town and into Nagoya (to stop by the Toyota factory to have a tour... so worth it... and it's too damn far to drive from Tokyo to Hiroshima
).The non-turbo L3-VE engine (same engine as in the 3/5/6) is a little underpowered on the highway, but it has plenty of torque to get it going with a van full of baggage including 7 persons. The 4WD also adds a 6 speed auto so the gas mileage is amazingly good.
The handling is typical of a "FWD" minivan... suspension is soft and the handling is minivan typical. Nothing to really praise about. Steering isn't sporty feel like what you'd find in the mazdas sold in the US. Perhaps because this is a non-turbo model that there isn't a "sport tuned" suspension. Either way, it's more for utilitarian purposes than for driving.
This 3rd gen MPV is much more roomy and bigger than the 2nd gen POS. It is more comfortable, and the seats are much better (though still bad compared to the 3 or protege's). Fit and finish is just typical of a late model mazda, not great, just okay. Plastics feel/look cheap in many places in typical late model mazda fashion. The 2nd row seats have a "lazyboy" style footrest and a tilting head rest.
The gauges are mad tyte blue and are awesome, there's a blue glow light above the dashboard too. The stock touch screen GPS kicks ass and it gives very clear and precise directions (much ahead of time before your turn). Traffic accident reports are instant and tells you exactly where it is. The GPS understands which lane you are in too. It's night and day difference from the bulls*** we have to live with in the states!
Anyway, pics... probably won't have more posted for a while... driving to Kyoto tomorrow.
