Mazda Tribute 3.0 V6

I thought I should report back on the final choice of the SUV/4x4 - thanks everyone advice and help!

Right its a 2002 Mazda Tribute 3.0 V6 automatic with only 23000 miles on the clock. Bought the car from a friendly garage in the midlands, excellent buying expreience.

In terms of equipment, it has leather interior, automatic gearbox, automatic 4x4 (like Haldex), ginat sunroof, roof rails + bars, double tailgate (glass and full tailgate opening), 6 CD + Tape (who use tape!), air con.

Everything work as it should being such low mileage, really enjoy the giant sunroof and the leather interior. Steeing is tight, engine is smooth and sweet, bodywork is imaculate apart from the alloys (they are diamond cut alloys so is likely to suffer more damage on day to day use). It actually felt like a new car to drive.

The Engine

It has a 3.0 V6 Duratec engine that is common in the Mondeo and Jaguar. Chain cam and should have plenty of spares if anything happens (touch wood). Really great sounding and really smooth, powerful and has lots of low down torque, actually similar to our 3.0 X5.

The Gearbox

Yes, the engine is similar to the X5, actually better sounding, but the gearbox is a let down, insane gear ratios, it has 4 gears, but feels like it is designed to be a 3 speed auto with an overdrive (yes, it has a button for that, it is actually just a 4th gear). 70 mph comes in a 2500 rpm in third and 1800 rpm in 4th! In short, not the best gearbox I have used, but smooth enough and matches the V6.

Handling

The car is not that much bigger than the Yeti, but the steering sure makes it feel like a much better car, it has a slower steering box, really light steering akin to Japanese and Korean cars. The body roll is surprisingly good, no where as good as the Yeti, but similar to the X5. It feels like a big car to drive, and does it feel agile, but handles country lane perfectly well, grips well but lack feel.

Comfort

Got all the basics going, nice leather seats, automatic gearbox, air con. Road noise is less than the Yeti, but more wind noise at motorway speed. Can't really compare to the X5. However, ride is better than both Yeti and the X5. It is firm but also sumptuous - I think job well done!

Space

A little disappointing, less headroom than the Yeti, less boot space than the Yeti without spare wheel, similar to ones fitted with spare wheel. Leg room is similar.

Economy

Yet to find out, but being a V6, can't be too optimistic. However it has a chain cam engine, so save £300-400 on cambelt change which is likely to happen at this age and this type of cars!

The white stuff

Can't wait to find out! Can't be bad, the car has a button to lock up 4x4 manually, tried it and work excellently (noisier and grippier etc, only did 200 yards to test), also fitted with Dueller M+S tires!

Overall

Nice package, should be a good winter car, but its no sports car in terms of twisty road, but acceleration is brilliant, I actually think the quoted 0-60 time is so bad is because of the 4x4 locking up when it is fully accelerating causing the front wheels to slip and the car automatically engages 4x4, otherwise it could definitely shave 2 seconds off the manufacturers time!