2005 Tribute Well Worth the money!!!

Author's Rating:

Pros: Price, Warranty, Features, 4wd, size, gas

Cons: Front brake dust,Seats(could be thicker),Wind noise, more zoom-zoom in 2nd gear(All minor!)

The Bottom Line: 
Worth the money, alot for the money! Beats its Competition.

Author's Review
I bought a 2005 Mazda Tribute I 4wd, Automatic over a month ago. This small SUV is well worth the money and beats most of the specs of its competitors. This is what mine came with standard:

Auto
2.3 4cyc
4wd
tint windows
alloys
16' rims
Power windows, mirrors, locks
CD player, Sat. ready
4 yrs/50k warranty
100k powertrain
2 sets of new tires (if I do all maintenance with dealer)
Winter mats, cargo net

With the high rebate the extra warranty over Ford Escape and Mariner, it was a no brainer. The sticker was 22770, I paid 16754.00. How can anything else compare, with the features above?

The Suv handles very well and feels secure. Both engines have enough pep for their size. I picked the 4cyc for the gas savings. I average about 22 mpg but I expect it will go up to about 25-26mpg, have other owner with the same engine have stated. The seats are comfortable but would like alittle more thicker composite. You get a sense they are alittle too thin, I can feel my kids feet if they are are up against it. Not a huge deal. The new console is awesome. Plenty of room (holds 17 cds), cups holders and the shifter is on the console (much better then on the tree like the 01-04. Plenty of room for 5, height and length. The trim is nicely laid out and is eye pleasing. The temp. controls are very easy to use and at a figures touch. The cd player and stereo has about 100w which is nice but to add sirrus to the radio it cost about 500 bucks (thats a rip!). The radio is set up to read it but you need the accs. kit. Mazda pushes that all its cars are ready for it but don't talk about the extra stuff you need. At that price, forget it.

The ride is smooth and the headlights are plenty to light your way at night. I have not got the sense of the 4wd system yet but I hear it works great. I sure will use it this winter in New England. I'm glad I have it. The driver does not need to do anything to engage it. The 16' alloys are great looking and by have the larger tires I find the ride was better than the Ford Escape XLS (15') rims/tires. You actually get alot more features than the XLS model for less of a price and a longer warranty. The tribute has 4 wheel ABS and Front Disc brakes and Rear Drum. (The V6 has all Disc). The Tribute S is about $2400 more and you get the bigger engine, all disc brakes, bumper have a clearcoat, 6 disc cd, power seat.

So all and all I'm impressed. The negative features are the wind noise is alittle more than I like (better than the 04), seats (as described above), The dust of the front brakes (common on all models, ie, ford, mercury,etc), and the 2.3 at around 20-30 is alittle sluggish then it really gets its umphhhhhhhhhh or Zoom-Zoom. This Suv is well worth the money!