Mazda Millenia S?

[blackmercedes]

Helen's got a friend with a 2000 Mazda Millenia S for sale. It's got "higher" mileage for a 2000 (90,000 kilometers/55K-miles) and the price seems really good. I found a few listed in the papers for about $18-22K depending on mileage.

She bought a new Lexus GS300, and the Lexus dealer offered her $8500 for the car, so she refused. She's private selling the car for $13K or so. It's advertised for $19K, but a quick cash sale would bring the price down to the fore-mentioned number.

I haven't seen the car, and don't know much about these things. It's a good sized thing, bigger than the old E-Class, and has the interesting Miller-Cycle engine, which intriques me.

Anyone know anything about these cars? Are they "Japanese Universal Cars?" New, the thing was $45K, so they sure fall hard!

[suginami]

My cousin, the Oakland Raiderette chearleader, that I've mentioned before had one and loved it. She initially leased it, and once the lease was up she purchased it for the residual amount.

I drove it one time and was awfully impressed. It was several years ago so I forgot what the driving experience was like. I just remember that it was a smooth, competent, and refined car, and it was a shame it was largely ignored by the car buying public.

At the time Mazda was going to follow the lead of Nissan and Toyota's luxury divisions, Infiniti and Lexus, by creating a new name plate.

The company's financial position worsened so much that they had too much debt and Mazda's banks refused to loan them anymore money. Ford came to the rescue and purchased Mazda.

In any event, the name plate venture was abandoned and it was sold as a Mazda.

[jsmith]

Originally posted by suginami
In any event, the name plate venture was abandoned and it was sold as a Mazda.

probably why it doesn't hold it's value. it's certainly a step up from the mitsubishi diamante which has the same problem of being an entry level luxo wannabee...

[hill]

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/framed.htm?parent=question132.htm&url=http://www.mazda.co.nz/technology/1022.html

I owned one for 5 years. It was a '98 and I had it listed for sale at $8500.

The advantage that the Miller Cycle gives you is the reduced weight. The car made a lot of power for a 2.3 Litre. The light engine made it real tossable.

The drawback is the transmission. No Tiptronic and it is always trying to shift up all the time. It did a great job of keeping the engine out of the powerband.

I had a problem with a rear strut rod bushing - fixed under warranty. No other problems.

[Snibble]

Originally posted by suginami
My cousin, the Oakland Raiderette chearleader, that I've mentioned before

Hmmm.. I didn't know that your cousin was a Raiderette Got any pics of her to share?:p