Faults:

The interior has started to show its real wear and tear.

The door inserts have come off and been reupholstered, as well as the center console.

The tumblers in the ignition chamber came loose, and the key got stuck in the ignition and left me stranded at a gas station for awhile!

The alternator has gone out 2 times in the past 4 years!

It was in a small bump up and has since been repaired.

Oil filter wasn't screwed in properly after an oil change at one point, and oil was leaking onto something and was causing a horrid odor.

General Comments:

Aside from the small faults above, this Mazda has a lot of potential. It's a great vehicle for anyone with a couple of kids and a need for space without using a heck of a lot of gas! Its got some good power from its Ford-based 3.0L V6.

**Hint** If you want to experience its true power, here's a hint about its torque curve. Get it up to about 30-35 mph @ around 1500-2000 rpm (hopefully on a flat road) and just give it the beans! The car will shift from 4th to 2nd gear and the torque will rocket you from 35 to who knows how fast in no time at all!

Faults:

Vinyl on all 4 doors peeled off.

Drivers door handle broke.

Cruise control broke.

Transmission stutters/jumps.

Door closed light works intermittent.

Door ash tray fell out.

Headliner fell down.

Headlight cover fogged.

General Comments:

The car is very easy to maneuver in the city. However, for long trips the seats are to short if you are over about 5'2". The seat hits too short behind your knee and makes long time sitting uncomfortable.

After about 4 years it seemed to begin to fall apart around me. I meant to keep it 10 years and at least 100k as you'd expect from a Toyota. I feel like I'm riding a junker and with the current economy, want to wait a couple years to buy a new one.

Can't imagine any scenario where I would pass up a Toyota and buy a Mazda again. The only compensation they could give me would be a brand new vehicle (not a Tribute) and I'll give a review of that one in a few years.

Faults:

Transmission

Front struts

Sunroof

Gearshift

Transmission (again)

Front discs

General Comments:

I have had this 2001 since new. It was a dog from day one.

I developed a 'knock' in the transmission when you put your foot down. Dealer could not find a problem until I get a mechanic to sit in the car with me and floored it. Then we said 'oh that sounds bad'; new transmission.

Front suspension started to squeak badly, then bottom out when I went over speed bumps. New struts after that.

Lots of small mechanical issues that all got fixed under warranty. Now it's out of warranty it's getting sold and no more Mazda's for me. I'm going for a BMW.

Faults:

The transmission on my 2001 Tribute just failed at 64,000 miles. No automatic transmission should fail that early.

The car was really only driven to work and back - no long distance or off-road treks. I had done all of the required maintenance on time and at the dealer where I bought the car - luckily this paid off for me as BG who provide the fluids (?) for all maintenance paid $2K of the $3.2K cost of the "new" rebuilt transmission.