Faults:

I have replaced the ignition coils, which cost me about $600, and I had to replace a broken or melted vacuum line that was causing a rough idle and stalling. That was a $5 fix that I could do myself with short length of hose and a clamp from AutoZone. Otherwise nothing has gone wrong and everything works.

General Comments:

I got this SUV under duress as I needed a second vehicle. I paid very little for this car. It was a one-owner with all the maintenance records since it was new.

The 3-liter Duratec engine is quite powerful in this car, but like many Duratecs it does leak a little oil from the valve cover gaskets. I haven't bothered to fix it since it's a small amount; the main problem is the smell when it drips onto the exhaust manifold.

The leather interior has held up very well over 16 years of driving -- no rips or tears. Amazingly, after that much time and this many miles, everything still works and I wouldn't be afraid to make a long trip in it tomorrow. Except it's not mine anymore; now it's my daughter's.

Handling and braking are both good; this vehicle is very easy to drive around town or on the highway. Gas mileage is pretty bad around town at about 13-14 mpg, but on the highway it will get 25-26 mpg pretty consistently.

I didn't expect to get much more than maybe a year out of such a high-mile car, particularly since the Tribute and Ford Escape (same car) don't have the greatest quality reputation, but here it is four years later and it's still going strong. I couldn't be more pleased; I got my money's worth and then some. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another.

Faults:

I purchased this little SUV for my wife, new in 2004. We bought the 4WD model while living in Ohio, for driving in the winter. We didn't spend a ton on this car, but even so, I think we should have gotten more for our money.

Comfort is average, for the cost, but I am tall, and the seat depth is very short. Extended driving position is uncomfortable, for me. The road noise is way above average. Gas mileage is around 21 - 22 MPG on highway - 4WDs do get poorer mileage, but I think it should do better.

First interesting thing was the cabin odor when we'd run the A/C - could not figure this one out for the longest time, until I checked the cabin filter and discovered the mouse nest!

The air conditioner compressor went out at about 75,000 miles.

I had to change the spark plugs at about 80,000 miles - whoever designed the spark plug access for this car should be fired! Thank God for YouTube!

I've replaced the same O2 sensor about 3 times.

We kept smelling "heat" from under the hood last spring whenever we parked it. Eventually had the one front brake lock up while driving 55 mph down the highway. When I finally got home and checked it out, I had to replace both front caliper assemblies, rotors, pads, etc... $1000.

A set of tires lasts about 50,000 miles, no matter how much they are rated.

The check engine light just started flashing. This is new; usually it just stays on all the time. Now, I'm going to take it to the auto store to have them show a code. I'm really hoping they don't tell me to replace the spark plugs again!!

My youngest daughter has had 2 Mazdas and the father-in-law had 1.

Needless to say, this is a "Do Not Recommend" X 4 for our family.

General Comments:

I would not consider buying another Mazda. For foreign, I would look at Toyota 1st and Honda 2nd, but I'm really looking to buy American next if I can.