1991 Mazda MPV consumer reviews

bought brand new in 1991, 'totaled' at curb 2015 :-(( (based on repair cost vs value). One of my saddest days, watching a flatbed load our van up & take her to 'scrap yard'. If I had money & a barn, I would've restored it ground up. Why?? (underpowered, none of the many current safety features, 4-speed tranny, small for minivan) because after 24 years, she still cranked right up, sludged through several inches of snow, took our now-grown daughters to school, learned to drive, Disney World, Texas, Canada, California!! Had an extremely comfortable driving position for both me (6') and my wife (5'2"), hauled pop-up trailer thru Smokey's, up/down Blue Ridge without hesitation. Mazda did an engine/valve overhaul completed under warranty within first couple years, never had a problem afterward (200k at incident). Originally bought due to chassis being the 929 luxury car, rwd for towing. Was the first vehicle I bought in Ohio and did NOT pick the 4x4 version solely because I figured that was unnecessary (we'd never driven in snow/ice) & decided leather interior was not good for small children. BOTH decisions I soon regretted. RWD is NOT good in snow/ice...and 'mouse fur' is NOT easier to clean-up after a car sick dog (then both kids) than leather. Live & learn. Bottom line: whenever someone asks me about a cheap daily driver or 'curb-car', I always recommend a 1991 Mazda MPV (obviously if loved & cared for like ours was). Often fantasize about winning the lottery, building a barn with engine lift, find a MPV, drop in a small block v8, vented discs all-round, 6 speed trans, cat-back, vroom-vroom!