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| 2003 Mazda Tribute Review, Gadget, From San Diego, Ca
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Mazda Tribute
| | Model of the car: | Mazda Tribute | | | General comments: | This is an initial impressions report since I've only owned my Tribute a week.
I LOVE this truck! I researched various small SUV's for quite awhile. I read all of the auto and consumer magazine reports I could get my eyes on finally narrowing my search to the Tribute, Honda CR-V and the small Suzuki for test drives.
I had some 'deal breakers' on my shopping list which included a 'must have' trailer towing package and opening rear window. (If you've ever owned a station wagon type vehicle with a sealed back window you know where I'm coming from here).
Following test drives the Tribute won hands down. Better power, better handling and a far more solid feel than the Suzuki (which was fitted with faux wood trim on every interior surface). I enjoyed the fact that the Tribute has virtually every metal surface covered by carpet or upholstery, seat tracks and hinges don't show and the list goes on.
Ok, so I don't have enough miles on the truck to determine whether the much talked about rattles have been vanquished for 2003 but so far so good. Heck, I even like the 'old fashioned' looking radio with knobs. Have you ever tried to change a channel or adjust volume with a radio that only has push buttons? Give me the instant adjustability and control of knobs any old day.
Any nits to pick? Yep, the shift lever. There absolutely has to be a way for Mazda (Ford) to make this thing about three inches shorter. My hand hits it on the way to the radio and on the way to the environmental controls. Eventually I'll adjust and forget this was ever a problem but for now....If I had a hacksaw handy..
Cheers
John | | | What things have gone wrong with the car: | Shift lever is too long | | | Previous car: | 1985 Jeep Cherokee (purchased new and owned ten years) |
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