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2005 Mazda Tribute Owner Ratings & Reviews

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4.0
Overall
2 Reviews

2005 Mazda Tribute - Solid car

Mina
Olathe, Kansas
Overall
4.0
Value
3.0
Performance
4.0
Style
4.0
Comfort
4.0
Fuel Economy
2.0
Reliability
3.0
The indigo color of the car was the initial thing that drove me towards the car, as it was such a unique color. I liked the body as it wasn't bulky and didn't have a tail end that stuck out. I wanted another SUV since that's all I had driven, but something smaller than my Rodeo. The car has been very easy to drive in all kinds of weather, and I've never felt unsafe. However, after about two years of having the car, the paint has started peeling very badly. It looks peeled off in certain places and has lost some of its shine. The sunroof (which I originally loved) stopped working effectively about two years after having the car as well. It's gotten good mileage; I've taken the SUV on about 10 road trips and have never had a problem. I never noticed any blind spots, and when I had to bre... (more)
Story
I took this SUV on a total of about ten road trips which were wonderful. It was easy to get to and from places, and whenever I think back on those road trips, it's with nothing but fond memories. Most of the road trips were for concerts, so the memories involve a lot of music.
Pros
The car was excellent in the snow due to the 4 wheel drive, which was an important aspect. I could always drive easier than most of my friends who had normal cars. The sound system was nice and worked well in conjunction once I got an iPod dock for the car. This was the first car that I've had that's had a sunroof, which I put to great use in the summer. The mirrors were easy to move mechanically and never got stuck. It was incredibly easy to maneuver the car, and was easy to drive with one hand which I like doing. The trunk space was nice to have for transporting larger objects. The seat ... (more)
Cons
The paint started peeling off about two years after I got the car, and it was a difficult color to match so it was too costly to repaint. The sunroof stopped working effectively after about two years as well. The front bumper of the car has become prone to rusting, and looks tacky instead of new. The middle seat in the back is uncomfortable and lumpy and can only fit a small person. The door on the passenger side becomes jammed every once in a while. It would be nice if there was a removable top carpet in between the front and back seats for easier cleaning. The gas mileage could be better... (more)

2005 Mazda Tribute - Great vehicle for the high mileage

Katherine
Keystone Heights, Florida
Overall
4.0
Value
4.0
Performance
4.0
Style
4.0
Comfort
5.0
Fuel Economy
4.0
Reliability
4.0
I bought my truck used. The previous owner bought the truck new. When I purchased it, the previous owner did mild maintenance. They did regular, albeit late, oil changes, sometimes changed the spark plugs but never changed anything mechanical. In the two years since I've owned the truck, I've put well over 50,000 miles, which puts the total overall mileage at over 252,000 miles. Since I've owned it, I've replaced the radiator, radiator hose, and coolant reservoir, normal wear and tear, and I'm surprised I hadn't had to do it sooner. I haven't had any issues with the engine, but the check engine light is on for an O2 sensor, which doesn't effect the drivability of the truck at all. Currently, I'm having an issue that could either be one of three things: the transmission is going out, my... (more)
Story
One memorable moment is taking my dogs and daughter to the lake. I was able to fit a medium black lab up front, small Pomeranian in the back, with one of the seats folded down, her car seat and multiple floats, and we were all comfortable.
Pros
Something I really liked about this vehicle is that is incredibly spacious! The back seats fold down giving the back close to 6 ft. x 5 ft. of space. Neither the previous owner nor I have replaced the stock stereo or sound system, and I feel it sounds great! The radio comes with XM radio. What when I paid for it, it worked great.
Cons
The paint ended up chipping fairly easily, and the leather seats now look disgusting. I also would have liked A/C vents for the back seat. My daughter gets hot in her car seat. Also, the clips that hold on the rear window has broken so I can no longer just lift open the back window, instead I have to lift the whole rear gate. Simple fix but when it broke the window, it was incredibly hard to close because of the compression arms to lift and close the window.

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