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2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
And when I say brand new, I mean brand new. Tributes will no longer be built in North America. The next model will be built in Japan and will be highly differentiated from the Escape. It sounds like the Tribute might go upscale in the same way that the Mazda3 did and became a bit of a segment buster.
I find it interesting that there has been almost no buzz about the next generation Tribute. Maybe Mazda is just doing a good job of keeping a lid on this news.
http://www.triplezoom.com/news/publish/article_277.shtml
Lincoln is replacing the current Explorer based Aviator with one (using the same name too). Ford and Mercury are supposed to get their own versions of it in '07 but they will not replace the Escape and Mariner.
That's what I've gathered from other threads/forums and I can't really verify any of it for sure. It's just speculation at this point.
I got the basic Tribute, but it seems to have plenty of power. I have no problems passing or keeping speed up hills, very nice truck. The only option that I wanted that it didn't have was cruise control. I've already looked up some aftermarket cruise controls, any suggestions? How hard is it to install? Is it better to try to find a pro to do it?
And if you are looking for any accessories, I have ordered twice now from Trussville Mazda in Alabama. No shipping charges till Christmas. I received both orders in two days, and I am in Maryland. Great service, great prices.
I posted this to the Escape/Tribute board a while back but had no responses. I have an '01 DX 4-cylinder 4WD with a manual. I'm pretty impressed with it so far (being a typical car person). I was looking to find out if there is a way to have the 4WD indicator light illuminate whenever the 4WD is active? Right now, from what I understand, the only time this indicator light will illuminate is when you push the "lock" button on the dash board to manually engage the system. I'd like to know whenever the 4WD is active just for curiousity sake. I do know that it works...
What kind of gas mileage are you getting? What else did you look at before buying the
Tribute ?
Did you own a Mazda before this purchase ?
Still considering a Tribute and an X-Trail but haven't really looked closely at either yet - looking for other's experiences just now.
Thanks for your input.
It drives more like a car than a truck, but it still sits up high so you get a great view of the road. It handles turns really well, considering its height, and I find the steering very responsive. The 6 was tighter in turns of course, but it was much shorter, although the transmission didn't shift nearly as well as the Tribute. I had a 2000 Tacoma (reg cab 2wd) and it leaned a whole lot more in turns than the Tribute. For me, the Tribute fits me very well. I have no complaints so far.
I drove the Toyota, Jeep, Ford, Subaru, Hyundai,
and Honda. What helped me a lot was the side by side comparison on Edmunds.com . I only had 17 miles on the engine when I bought the car and you can't really tell about gas mileage for about 3 months. I've owned Toyota's in the past, this is my first Mazda. So far I love it. (But it's only been a week.) All it's known is rain, so far and it handles really well.
Good Luck.
I am averaging about 21mpg in mixed driving (80% city, 20% highway). Since the car is new (bought in November) I am not pushing it very hard, but I also expext gas mpg to possible increase when the engine is more worn in.
Prior to this car, I have owned two other Mazda's (RX-7's) but this is the first Mazda I have owned in about eight years. The dealer is great, and I cannot complain about my decision.
My other car is a 2002 Nissan Altima SE and I really liked Nissan.. They do not sell the X-trail in the US.. Is this similar to the Xterra? If so, the Tribute and the Xterra are really different from each other. The Tribute is meant for more onroad driving whereas the Xterra really shines offroad...
Congrats on the new Tribute!
Steve, Host
I know it's not broken in yet, but it just turned 200 miles and it doesn't need gas for another almost 1/4 of a tank. I love it.
Translation - when you have new vehicle high, you're attuned to noise, vibration and harshness.
After 20,000 miles, you'll just turn up the radio and shrug off everything except the muffler dragging on the pavement, LOL.
Mazda Mania chat starts in ten minutes - link is on the left. Come join in.
Steve, Host
I'm glad you're happy with the Tribute - thanks for your comments.
Hybrid is good but we want to look good too !?
Violet Gray
package 3
air bags
dimming mirror
bumper step plate
wheel locks
cargo net
This is my first SUV but I think I will be comfortable in this and I really did not need a monster SUV. I only hope that it will be as dependable as my Mazda Millenia which has been great, we are now a two Mazda family!
I have been looking for a while and like the looks of the Tribute. But that's what sold me on the Cirrus I'm driving. Looks are deceptive and it is the mechanical attributes that really matter. I've sunk so much into the Chrysler that I can't afford to move on just yet- but I scared not to. But when I do I'm heading to Nissan, Toyota or Mazda. A friend just bought a Nissan X-Trail and is thrilled. That's the experience I'm after whether it be Mazda or Nissan. It won't be a GM, Chrysler or Ford. It is the Ford - Mazda connection that scares me.
Thanks, Mike
Violet Grey.
The color is not in the book, I originally only went in for service for the Millenia but saw the Violet Gray with Package 3 and loaded with all the options I wanted and decided what the heck, if we could make a deal I would pick it up.
After 2 days of feeling my way around I am starting to really fall for it.
Couple of nit picks though, I hate that there is no cancel button for the cruise! I do alot of rural 6 lane 55MPH driving with stop lights every five miles or so, I've always just been able to tap the cancel and coast to the light, now I have to actually brake.
Lastly, my car only says Mazda Tribute, it doesn't have an S badge or a V6 badge anywhere, is it suppose to? I saw an Escape that had a nice V6 badge, I think it is the same badge I saw on the V6 Mazda6?
Like I said only a couple of nit picks so far, on the plus side there are too many things to list hence the reason why I purchased the car.
Hope everyone is enjoying their Tribute,
Scott
As you see I'm interested in the Tribute and need to be assured it is a wise choice. I gather you think that it is a wise choice. Glad to hear of people happy with their investments.
Mike
I can't blame you for being extra careful after experiencing the issues you have with your Chrysler. I ruled out the Jeep Liberty early on because of the reliability and depreciation issues that Chrysler has had. I too was somewhat reluctant to purchase the Tribute because of the Ford relationship (I have never owned a domestic car before, strictly Japanese and German). But after a horrible Volkswagen experience, I did as much research as possible. From what I read, Ford has really turned things around over the past few years, and while I did find some Internet posters who had problems with their Escapes/Tributes, I soon discovered this is true of any vehicle (whether it be a Honda, Toyota, or Nissan). Only time will tell for me, but I feel like I got a loaded, safe, fun to drive SUV at a tremendous value. I would say that you should take your time and if continue to have reservations, I would recommend heading in another direction such as Nissan or Toyota. Good luck and keep us posted on what you decide on and why!
There is a cancel button, you can either tap the brake, or click on the "OFF" button on the steering wheel
My car is a V6 S AWD model as well, and does not have any badges. I wonder if they stopped doing this with the 05's? Two of my neighbors have Tribute's (on 04 and an 03) and they have the badges.. Strange
As far as the cruise goes, the only way to cancel and not loose your speed setting is to tap the brake, if you click on the "off", and then turn it back on you have to reset the speed. Like I said in the original post, it is a minor nit pick.
Scott
a.k.a.
Violet Gray, ha ha
Marcel
Ah, I see what you are saying.. Maybe they saved a few bucks with both the badges, and the cancel button
My only complaints (minor) are:
- Lack of audio controls on the steering wheel. My other car has this, and I am spoiled I just think this should be standard now on everything but an entry-level vehicle. I wonder how many accidents are caused each year because somebody looked down to fiddle with the radio...
- Placement of the seat heaters.. Could they have picked a more awkward spot? (For those of you who do not have heated leather seats, the button is on the bottom left hand side of the seat for the driver (opposite side for the passenger). Although I am now used to it, it is still awkward and poorly placed. Most cars have it on the dash or near the shifter.. Also, I do not like the fact that it is on a timer, and you cannot just leave them on.
Like Scott said, these are minor complaints, and for the money and options, you cannot beat the Tribute. The Tribute also has many features that my other, more expensive car, does not have.
Thanks!
Glad that you're a happy camper!
I have some friends that are just as happy with their recent Nissan X-Trail purchases.
Comments like your are really valuable and helpful because it seems that we have similar concerns and we "are coming from the same place ..."
I agree that all makes and models have their problems. When we feel burnt by one we move onto another based on first impressions and our research in hopes of preventing being burnt again.
It is true that you can see other posts of people who are completely disgusted with their older Tributes and any other vehicle for that matter but we hope the manufacturers learn from past problems and the current year is closest to perfection possible.
My parents once had a '67 Dodge Polara, then a Monaco, followed by a Newport Custom which was like driving an arm chair - really nice. Years later my father bought a Dodge 600 convertible. So product loyality has played a part ... but no longer.
Comments like yours and others help the decision making process together with, like you, all the research I can do. Someone should put the fun back in car purchases.
I think my decision was made a few years ago when I saw a Tribute with Quebec plates at a Nova Scotia beach - I really liked the look. Now I just want to make sure that decision is based on more that my first impressions. Thanks - enjoy your Tribute ...tell me this, if you don't mind - will a 4'x8' sheet of plywood fit in the back with the rear door and window closed?
Mike
You and dc_driver are badgeless but happy!! This is good.
I bet the V6 badges can be found on e-bay.
Its strange they would cut out this ornamentation, because it is the little things that help to dress up the final package.
Do I see that you may be considering adopting the Violet Gray handle ??? "LOL"
Drive safely,
Mike
On the MazdaUSA.com web site, they say this about the premium radio:
190-watt, 7-speaker premium audio sound system including 2 tweeters & subwoofer
Sorry, no mention about who manufactures it. Not sure if it's the same as what's available on the Escape. The Ford site lists a MACH audio system available as an option on the Escape.