Mazda Tribute

“Right now I drive a Jeep Wrangler (15 MPG) and I am thinking of getting something a bit more cost effective.

I see the Mazda Tribute seems to be a neat option. I need 4WD for some of the scenes I have to go to. This can include trails and what not. At worst I have MUD and some rough roads, but I do not "GO MUDDING" or try to get stuck. SO a major 4WD is not a big deal.”

“i don't know much about Saturns but they have a hybrid version of their SUV that is supposed to be just a couple thousand more than the all gas version”

““i don't know much about Saturns but they have a hybrid version of their SUV that is supposed to be just a couple thousand more than the all gas version”
thriftyhiker
10:01:09 AM
4/24/06

According to this article the fuel mileage gain is minimal.
http://www.hybridcars.com/saturn-vue-hybrid.html”

“The 'Forester'is the best ,but gas mileage isn't great.”

“i like the ford freestyle...they have an all wheel drive version that gets 19/24 mpg

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/findacar.htm”

“also, if you like the subaru type vehicle but not the price or gas mileage, the pontiac vibe/toyota matrix has an all wheel drive version that gets pretty good mileage”

“go with a front wheel drive car and carry a come-along etc. just in case you get stuck

the real bithc is finding a high ground clearance vehicle that doesn't suck for gas mileage”

“As far as the Mazda's go, I really like the RX8. Haven't heart how they do in the woods, though.”

“Thanks so far, my big problem comes when I have to go through fields or down "theoretical dirt roads" to get to fire areas, or check out stuff. The Jeep is fantastic for dealing with that stuff (lets not forget the ground clearance on all vehicles is more or less the height of the Universal Joint on the Axle (LOL).
I like to be able to get around on cold stuff (not that we see a whole lot) and I like to be able to get through ugly stuff like semi flooded roads. Except when it is a result of a stream or river flowing over the road.

Just bouncing stuff by you guys.”

“Some of the compact SUV's are really pretty good on gas on the highway if you don't go over the speed limit.”

“lets not forget the ground clearance on all vehicles is more or less the height of the Universal Joint on the Axle
XL400236
1:00:01 PM
4/24/06


I think a lot of people do forget that. I once saw a pickup that someone put a jacked up suspension system on it (think monster truck suspension) but still left the 16" wheels on it. The truck sat about 4' than it started, but never gained any ground clearance. lol”

“My brother in law has a Ford Escape with V-6 and automatic and he is disappointed in the mileage.
Just a little over twenty MPG is the best it can do.

I had a four cylinder five-speed Escape and it would get 28 MPG highway.

It is roomy for me at 6' 4" 220#.......back seat room is good too.”

“Mine was also front drive.”

“Some of the all wheel drive compact SUV's operate as front wheel drive until slippage occurs and then send power to the rear wheels. That way they don't have too much friction and waste fuel when you wouldn't need the extra traction. Others use electronic full time 4 wheel drive with traction control to send power, front to back or side to side depending on what is needed. It's not as good as a full blown 4 wheel drive would be off road, rock hopping, but for what most people do it's good enough for a dirt road and snowy driving.”

“I have a Toyota Highlander and I get combined 22.5 mpg with a mix of 75% highway 25% city driving. It is not the AWD version though.”

“I loved that little sucker.

A handful of times that I needed 4WD I put chains up front and it never got stuck...................permanently.”

“I have a Wrangler and my girlfriend has a V6 Tribute. The Tribute is much more passenger-friendly than my Jeep and can handle the moderate forest roads and city snow around here just fine. RichB described its traction very well. Overall, I've been very impressed by it. However, it only gets maybe 18 mpg at interstate speeds, just slighly better than my Jeep. I think the newer ones are more effecient, but I've been wrong before.”

“The best mileage I ever got on my AWD Toyota RAV4 was 32.8 MPG on a flat interstate highway going 55 MPH, no passengers, the back seats removed to save weight and space, tires inflated to 35 PSI, A/C off and outside air temperature 60 degrees. I'm not sure I'd get that mileage again with the new gasoline blended with ethanol.

There's a reason though that the 2004, 2005 RAV4 has the highest mileage of any compact SUV and that's because it's lightweight. Everything on this vehicle is built to very light specs which is good for mileage, but bad in terms of squeaks, rattles and a cheesy feel. It just doesn't have the beefed up character and durability you would find in an older vehicle or truck. The body panels and roof are very thin metal as is the rest of the vehicle inside and out. I guess you can't have it all and something has to give if you want good gas mileage.
last edited: 4/24/06 6:47:03 PM”