Tribute To The Tribute

Title was catchy right? I came up with it all by myself! Yes, I'm proud of it - don't judge me.

Any ways, the Mazda Tribute with the OEM Mazda Tribute Rims has been made by Mazda since 2001 - so for about a decade now. It's "involved with" the Ford Motor Company and is based upon the front-wheel drive Mazda 626 platform; this - in turn - is the basis for the Ford Escape on the CD2 platform. Even though it's like the Escape, the Tribute and Factory Mazda Wheels that go on it are priced less than the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner in Ford's CD2 SUV lineup.

Both the Mazda Tribute and Ford Escape made their debut in 2001. Both of these models offered drivers front or all wheel drive; they even offered them a choice of a transversely-mounted 2.0 L Ford Zetec 4-cylinder engine or 3.0 L Ford Duratec V6. The Ford Escape and Original rims on it were also sold as the Ford Maverick model in Europe. It had a Ford 2.0 L I4 Zetec engine with manual transmission, or 3.0 L Duratec coupled to automatic transmission.

The one main and big difference between the Tribute and the Escape is that the suspension on the Mazda Tribute is made for a for a firmer ride when compared to the Escape. It's even Mazda's oldest SUV that's still being made; but just because it's old doesn't mean it runs like it's old or looks like it's old - have you made time to see the 2008 Mazda Tribute Rims? Nice, right?

The reason why people like the Tribute is because since it's been made so long, people trust the car. It's even known to be a "soulful" car by many enthusiasts with remarkable
handling and performance characteristics that set it apart from the rest of the crowd.

The first model Tribute made its appearance at the 2000 Los Angeles Auto Show. Here in the United States, the Tribute was made to fill that "gap" that was left by the Mazda Navajo. The models that came out between 2001 and 2006 were available as front- or four-wheel drive. These models also featured an interior that was honestly kind of plain looking, but super roomy.

The Escape and the Tribute were "re-done" in 2004 for the release of the 2005 model. Mazda had decided to stop manufacturing the Tribute after the 2006 model because they introduced a hybrid version of the car in 2008 - it still makes me wonder how an SUV can be a hybrid since they waste so much gas.

When the 2008 model came out, it looked like a completely new car with better OEM Mazda Tribute Rims on it. It was supposed to have a new name, "Mazda CX-5" - but they obviously kept the Tribute name. There were significant changes, but the engine and performance stayed the same - I guess the performance was better. The changes included an interior that was noticeably upgraded with better materials and an interior that was praised by automotive journalists.

For the 2009 model year, the thing had more changes added to it - they were mostly mechanical changes. Mazda's new MZR 2.5L I4 replaced the 2.3L, boosting horsepower to 171 bhp (128 kW; 173 PS) and 171 lb·ft (232 N·m) of torque at 4000 rpm.. if you know what all that means.

Would you buy this car?

Mykalanne
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