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-juice
The Escape and Tribute are pretty close. However, other than the drivetrain, the platform, body, and suspension were designed by Mazda. It was Ford's choice not to differentiate the Escape FROM the Tribute. The body cladding is different, as well as other styling differences (badging, grill, accents, wheels). The suspension, although basically the same, is tuned differently. Even the transmissions are tuned differently. The steering in the Tribute uses a quicker ratio. A simple test drive won't show their differences, but when really pushed hard, the Tribute handles and accelerates better. The interiors are basically the same, but the Tribute uses higher grade plastics and better seats. One would never guess that the Escape/Tribute sit on the 626 platform.
Other examples of currently succesful or planned, identity-keeping platform sharing are:
- Lincoln LS/Jaguar S-Type/Ford Thunderbird/2003 Ford Mustang (DEW-98 platform)
- Mazda 626/Mazda MPV (626 platform)
- Ford Mondeo/Jaguar X-Type (Mondeo platform)
- Mazda 626 replacement/Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable/Volvo midsize (new Mazda platform)
- Mazda RX-8/2004 Mazda Miata/future Jaguar roadster (RX-8 platform)
- 2004 Mazda Protege/2004 Ford Focus (new Ford/Mazda platform)
I have a lot of faith that each one of the vehicles mentioned above will have, or already have, their own identities.
The powertrain held up well and was fun to drive, but the car had lots of annoying problems. The fuel gauge was always wrong, pieces of insulation fell off from the doors and peeled off around the windshield. The motorized mice belts didn't work on the passenger side, intermittently not opening when they should. It has more squeeks than a mouse trap and rattled more than a snake. It had loose carpeting, and just generally poor fit and finish.
So maybe that's not a great example. I felt like it was a wannabe-Mazda.
I have only seen Escape up close, and the interiors looks cheap to me. Vinyl on the seats, exposed stitching, and the column shifter don't appeal to me one bit. The Tribute looks better, at least from the outside. I do like the idea of 200hp combined with its light weight.
The LS and S-Type are nice cars but there are some quality issues there. We'll see how the others fare, but I'm skeptical.
-juice
The Escape/Tribute rides on an all new platform, no parts shared with the 626. this is according to numerous reports when the pair were introduced.
-juice
Input would be appreciated.
Someone said that Mazda would pay for the tranny and I just need to cover labor..
Help..otherwise I love the car. We had the catalytic converters fail and melt and the Mazda people covered it as it is a California car. Had trouble with local Washington dealer till Calif called and said to fix it.
1. uses factory remanufactures transmissions.
2. Installs a GOOD after marked transmission cooler.
3. Uses Lubegard or Wearguard to lower the transmission operating temperature
4. changes fluid and adds the additives above every 15,000 miles.
When I checked on a friends car a few months ago, the bid you were given was inline. Unfair, but correct.
Our tranny service light went on for about a second, then stayed off. I checked the level, and it was low, so I added about 1/2 quart.
Well, we took a road trip and the light came back on another time, for about 3 seconds this time.
I'm going to do a full change this time, instead of just adding oil. 75w90, and I'll probably go with Mobil 1, which has worked well in my Miata.
So, questions, anyone know the capacity so I know how much to buy? The Miata took 2 quarts.
The clutch grabs nicely, so it's not slipping. I'm surprised but the problem seems to be in the tranny itself. Any suggestions or thoughts?
-juice
Everyone I know of with a Mazda manual has not had serious problems as long as they change and maintain fluids. My mechanic recommends every 30,000 with synthetic. He does lots of automatic transmission replacements, but hardly ever does manuals.
The only problem you see is a light. In my experience if manuals have serious problems, you know it right away.
I think replacing the fluids should be sufficient. Try Lubegard. It reduces acids and operating temperature.
She'd forgotten that I'd asked her to park it. I'm off tomorrow so the gear oil will be drained and refilled. We'll see. Fingers crossed that it's no big deal.
-juice
..she don't like my left-leg-flexor ! Bryan
-juice
quickly and soundly leaving you in a cloud of
dust! The 626 is an old, tired horse and needs to
be re-designed as quickly as possible!!! Compared
to the new designs of Altima, Camry, Passat, even
the Protege.....the 626 is a JOKE.
Mazda Wake up!
It's on the way. I'm sure the design is ready, they're just fine tuning it. Sketches look very nice, too. Anyone know which car show it'll debut in?
The current 626 costs much less than any of the others you mentioned, except the Protoge. An Altima 3.5SE with leather and a moonroof cost a whopping $31,300 at a Nissan dealer on Rt. 450 in MD.
-juice
-juice
http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=128418&page=1
It's funny. I saw the new Millenia at the dealer last week, and it looks a lot like the current 626 (I actually mistook it for a 626 at first glance).
Now the new 626 has headlights that look like the old Millenia. I think they just swapped them! ;-)
Let's see, I could do without the straight line above the grille, which doesn't match up well with the chevrons. I'm sure the US will get that chrome strip instead. I could take it or leave it. Other than that it looks good up front.
The profile is IS300-ish. I like it. The rear is nice too, those tail lights are en vogue right now. If you don't like 'em, you're too old, they would say.
Note that the blue is a sedan, while the yellow is actually a 5 door hatchback. But my pick is the stylish red wagon, easy.
Are those US models? Usually Japan gets different variants off the same platform. I doubt we'll get the 5 door hatch, for example.
-juice
Since Mazda is probably not going to replace the Millenia, this is definitely my next car. Hope the bring in the MPS model of this car.
BTW, Edmunds got a preview of the new Mazda6
http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/preview/articles/47610/article.html
Our patience with Mazda finally pays off.
Zoom-Zoom-Zoom-Zoom-Zoom-Zoom - That's 6 Zoom:-)
Nice preview from Edmunds. Looks like a big improvement. The 4 banger will have 35 more horses, the V6 another 49! Both with variable valve timing and chain driven cams.
You guys were right about Mazda re-engineering the Ford Duratec.
I don't buy autos, but a 5 speed auto will be a selling point.
-juice
-juice
Swap those and then swap the PCV valve and the O2 sensor (causing the CEL?) while you are at it. You should be all set.
-juice
The PCV valve just takes a crescent wrench and about 2 minutes. It's right on top of the engine.
The O2 sensor is the only hard one, because of difficult access. It's on the exhaust and can be hard to remove.
-juice
Thanks.
Richie
-juice
-juice
zoom-zoom
We made an appointment tonight, but any guesses as to how much it might cost to replace the boot and repack the grease?
I have a photo but PhotoPoint isn't letting me login right now.
-juice
-juice
We're not driving it until it goes in for service.
-juice
Even $400 is just one car payment. This car has been fully paid off for about 4 years.
-juice