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Zero problems. Took it on a long trip last week, 900 miles in 3 days. Combination of freeway and mountain driving including some snow. I really enjoyed driving it in the mountains. The handling is excellent for this type of vehicle.
I am 6'6" and 300lbs and felt comfortable the whole trip. The leg, head and hip room are great.
Gas mileage is not so great, at $2 plus per gallon, this is a drag. 20 on the highway and much less of course in the mountains.
Someone mentioned brake dust on the front wheels above, I see it on every trib/escape around. I also see it on just about every other SUV with an open style wheel. You just have to keep up with it.
As for the stalling problem, I know that Mazda did buy back a large number of tributes for that very problem and that they have a fix for it. See your dealer and if they do not help, contact Mazda directly. They will fix it.
See you all again in a few thousand miles, hopefully still smiling.
I contacted Mazda corporate about this issue and they stated its something that should have been added at prep during purchase.
Had to drive back 40 miles to get the dealer to add the v-6 emblem and told me the vehicle no longer gets the 4WD/AWD emblem anymore.
Couple weeks go buy and the salewoman calls up and to dicuss the survey we filled out which we deatiled our complaint about the missing emblem.
She goes on to tell me that the 2003 model doesn't recieve these items anymore. Don't know what she wanted from me at this point, but from my research (MAZDA Corp) I expected them to be provided.
The whole experience left a bad taste in my mouth, any information would be apprciated.
So you did fine, the dealer was correct about no more stinkin' badges but
the best part is you got a "fresh" Trubute, not one that has been sitting around the lot all winter....
Enjoy your Tribute!!! my mom just got one also..It is a nice addition to her Miata.
I'll never buy another Ford/Mazda product again.
So if your Tribute was built after the mid-cycle update you Tribute will not have the emblems and cargo cover. The cover is now a $30 option on the LX. The ES still has the cover as standard.
I don't see any on there right now... but there are usually 1 or 2 pairs up for auction every 2 weeks or so.
Word of caution: Don't go for those generic auto body parts that google lists for tribute parts. They'll usually screw you over, took me the longest time to get my money back from a taillight they didn't have in stock...
Thanks!
with the luxury package and premier sound, tow package,ABS,power seat,side step tubes,side air bags,wheel locks. MSRP 26,075. With rebates plus tax title and tags we were out the door for 23,818.This is hawaii where the base LX sells for 25,000 because of dealer location markup. Only thing we dont like is the funky black dash with the beige interior. zum zum
All the details of the changes for the 2004's are in the new booklet, Bad news: the biggest change of the floor shifter for the Tributes (and Escapes) won't be put in until the 2005 models come out... but the GOOD NEWS? is that the 2005's are coming out waaaay early! (in just about 8 months.)
Also, if you bought it aftermarket, did it come with an adhesive, or did you have to use your own, and what did you buy?
Have read a couple of posts on other sites that it isn't worthwhile getting.
Thanks for your help.
Just bought new 03 Tribute LX. Love it, but having troubl with what feels like a pinched nerve in right thigh while driving. Am tall - 6'3'', any suggestions????? HELP. I really want to love my new car.
All it takes is is one scratch on that bumper plastic and you'll wish you had bought it. I cheaped on my first MPV thinking I didn't need it and I specified it on my current one. They are pretty inexpensive and if you haul anything they are worthwhile.
It is an easy aftermarket add on. Just line it up, peel of the tape backing & stick 'er down. Takes about 5 minutes.
just got an ES-V6 3 weeks ago.
Compared to my other car, 10 years old Diamante, there are two differences I want to point out.
1. the power steering of trib is not strong enough, so the wheel feel heavy for me.
2. the suspension is nothing compare to diamante. I can feel all the bumps of the road in the tribute, while I can feel nothing in my diamante. is it normal or something wrong with my tribute's suspension system
thanks
AS FOR EXPECTING AN SUV TO FEEL LIKE A CAR THATS SOMEWHAT IN THE LUXURY RANGE..A SEDAN.. COMON GET REAL! WHY DID YOU BUY AN SUV? OR... WHY DIDNT YOU BY THE LEXUS?PROBABLY THE MOST CAR LIKE FEEL... OF COURSE THAT WILL SET YA BACK 40 GRAND.
FOR THOSE THAT ARE CONCERNED ABOUT RETAINING ITS VALUE.... LOOK IF YOURE NOT BUYING A BEEMER... OR A LEXUS.. OR AN AUDI OR A PASSAT... YA BETTER ANTE UP A BIGGER DOWN PAYMENT SO YOURE NOT "UPSIDE DOWN" ON THE LOAN....CARS,WITH RARE EXCEPTIONS JUST DONT HOLD VALUE.PERIOD!
ENJOY YOUR TRIBS AS MUCH AS IM ENJOYING MINE!!
zmeenow: THAT'S GREAT TO HEAR!
Thanks.
tidester, host
Now, in the Escape's defense, I am currently driving a 2002 GTI...so I am looking at an entirely different type of vehicle here. I guess my question is how is the Tribute different than the Escape? Is it that much noisier or harsher than the Escape? Is the interior any better (I was in an XLT with leather, I would get an ES fully loaded)? Why did you guys pick the Tribute over the Escape?
I've read through a lot of these posts, but I figured the best way to get a good answer was to just ask. Thanks for all your help :-)
hoo320: A mini-SUV is not meant to be a quiet-cruising car. Still, you might want to check your tire pressure.
thanx, you mean that my problems are common feathers with SUV. right? So, my tribute is all right?
I bought this SUV for more cargo room and the winter ski trip to colorado.
And if I recall correctly, the Diamante had a pretty sophisticated suspension. Probably had more sound-deadening material, too. I think the mini-utes have virtually none.
Good luck.
To my eye, it has a nicer interior than Escape too.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
We sell both the Escape and the Tribute and we seem to sell more Tributes than Escapes, when people compare the two.
There are quite a few reasons to select the Tribute over the Escape. The first reason is the warranty. The Escape has a 3yr/36K bumper to bumper and the Tribute has 4yr/50K bumper to bumper. The Tribute has better incentives also. 60 months @ 0% financing. Have you driven the Tribute also>?? if not, try to do it right after the Escape. There is quite a bit of difference in the ride and drive....
thanks for the info. when I bought my trib, the dealer told it was 4/50 warranty . However, the warranty booklet coming with the owner's manual says it is only 3/36. is there any way, I can get a warranty booklet with the right info?
Rich
"mini"minivan on same platform as Focus C-Max but will be a 7 seater as opposed to the C-Max's 5.
Mazda4 will be available with front or AWD and will also spawn the next gen Tribute.
I imagine Mazda will grow the next gen MPV to put it inline with the sienna, quest, odyssey etc.....opening up some room if they want to bring in a sporty van/wagon such as the Mazda4. (Especially if Honda makes good and launches their Latitude and Mitsubishi and Toyota counter with their Grandis and Wish respectively.
Just made a heck of a deal on a Tribute 2WD ES with all options (Cold Package, Towing Package, Lux package) in Texas!
List Price $25,680
Current Rebate $2,000
Final Neg. Price $21,000!!!
Process:
The best way to deal on a car is to have two different dealerships fight each other on price. Here's how;I went to the first dealership, test drove the car, got a business card from the Salesman. Told him I am shopping around and left. (I made sure he knew my name and the Tribute style that I wanted) The next day I went to a second dealership and again Test drove the car. I stated to the salesman "I will buy this Tribute today, question is will it be from you?". I then asked the dealer his best price. After which I then called the original salesman and stated the offer, he of course countered with a lower price. I did this for about an hour and each time the opposite salesman would offer a lower price. Finally got them down to $21,000 price! Tip: Make sure you threaten to walk out at least once, if they don't stop you, then you know it's the bottom price. Always gets an extra $200!
Also, when it comes to Financing (if you are buying) you can bargain on the Extended warranty, I got 6/75 for $600 (well worth it)
Love the tribute, WAY better than Escape in features, price and quality.
If anybody wants to know more please respond to this article. Good luck to you all. Make sure you get the best deal!!!
-J
tidester, host
You likely would not have seen the post had he offered anything to sell. I merely posted a friendly reminder! :-)
tidester, host
It happens on my ES-V6 sometimes at about 40-45 mph on low RPMs when going downhill and I'm trying to accelerate (gently).
Sounds like it does not know to which gear to switch for 0.5 sec producing "drrrrrr" sounds..
The problem is, that I simply can't get a feeling on whether or not a new '03 model is going to be reasonably reliable vehicle. I don't care to trade one set of problems with another.
I would love to take advantage of Mazda's 0%/60-months financing incentives. And I think it is great that Mazda has move to a 4/50k warranty + loaner car on maintenance.
Can I get some people to chime-in their gut feelings, like the Trib is xx% good or scale of 1-10 (10 best) as far as being a solid machine worthy of purchasing etc. etc. And yes I've read all the Consumer Reviews (posted on Edmunds), seems out-dated.
Thanks in advance.
We generally get 18 - 19 mpg in town and around 25 mpg on the road, have plenty of room for 4 people and just enough for 5, able to carry whatever cargo we have need to carry, and feel comfortable driving in traffic or on the road. Our Continental tires still look brand new.
We feel that overall this vehicle is very good and reliable and would recommend it to others.
I think he gets 19-20 in mostly city driving. When I drive it, the impression I get is noticeably powerful!
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Oh...one more thing. I'm leaning towards buying the silver color Tribute and live in south TX. A couple people told me that metallic paint does not hold up well in the heat and sun down here. Anyone have any feedback about that?
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Here is mine:
Idle : 600 RPM
20 MPH: 1100~1200 RPM
30 MPH: 1700~2000 RPM
40 MPH: 2000~2200 RPM
50 MPH: 2500~2700 RPM
75 MPH(cruise): 2750 RPM
75 MPH(accelerate): 2900~3100 RPM
Thanks for taking this survey