Used 2005 Mazda Tribute Consumer Reviews
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2005 Mazda S AWD 3.0 V6
redeye, 05/19/2009
2005 Mazda Tribute s AWD 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
7 of 8 people found this review helpful
Didn't like it at first, but it steadily grew on me. Noisy at highway speeds, some interior and dashboard controls are poorly designed and impossible to see at night. Heated seat button is in a truly odd place. Body creaks and groans, wallows over some highway undulations. All this and I still like it....can't put my finger on it...maybe it's just that it is reliable, decent on gas (ECU went bad at 80,000 and I put a rebuilt one in that improved mileage to 24 - 25 hwy), tires wear forever and it does go in the snow better than any car i have driven.
Unlucky
Unlucky Owner, 12/15/2008
2005 Mazda Tribute i AWD 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl 5M)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
Ownweship experence, Wow where do I start, one alternator, four coils, new breaks all around,a front drive shaft and today a sensor costing 1200 before labor & taxes all before reaching 100,000K. Mazda claims there are no problems with the Tribute, but I say they need to look into it more closely. The SUV is just getting broke in at 97,000 what happened to having a product you could see 100,000 miles on.
GOOD SCOOT ABOUT OR ROAD CAR
zippadeedudah, 02/19/2005
2005 Mazda Tribute i Fwd 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl 4A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I am averaging 23 mpg around the city and recently got 26 mpg on trip from Atlanta to Virginia. The 4-cylinder engine is all most people need for the pep they would expect. Price is extreme reasonable if you negotiate and stand steadfast. This car is stylish and has been extensively engineered. I am a staunch proponent of it.
Problems with my Tribute
Maria, 08/28/2008
2005 Mazda Tribute i AWD 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl 5M)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I love driving my Tribute, wonderful in bad weather, great visibility. It is noisy, but generally I have liked it except it has had lots of problems. Electrical - completely died in traffic at 30,000 miles. Had to have computer reset. Transmission problems at 34,000 miles. Now I just had to have radiator and coolant system replaced at 42,000. All covered by warranty and service excellent but I am afraid to keep it. I need reliable car to travel to see elderly parents.
Nice small SUV , handles like a car
GeorgeP, 11/14/2008
2005 Mazda Tribute i Fwd 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl 5M)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I got the stripped down manual transmission version, so no ranting here about useless options. It has held up well now after 3 years. No real rusting yet on the sheet metal. Some of the interior has a cheap plasticy feel, the handling is good on corners, does not want to flip like some SUVs. Motor is a bit underpowered on the 2.3L motor, feels like a 2.0L motor in a SUV. Decent build and design otherwise.