Niceties vs Annoyances
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Niceties vs Annoyances
Hey folks, just wanted to start a dialogue about niceties (good things) and annoyances (not so good) about our Tributes. This will not apply to all models, nor all years I assume.
To start off, my nicety is the fact that the mid-level 02 LX has a power driver's seat. That's not necessary for an entry level SUV in my option.
Another nicety is the fog lamps - good to see those included standard, on LX anyway. And good to see.....literally. They do help light the way.
A third "nice to have" is the reclining rear seats. Another bonus for this model.
An annoyance is the ignition setup - Mazda messed this one up. What's up with the lack of lighting for the key insert? The location requires me to gawk my head to the right and fumble around to stick the key in when lighting is low ie. dark. For a few bucks, Mazda could have put a light in this area (my 87 Dodge had it), and/or put it in an easier to use location. Our Murano has it slightly to the right, as part of the dashboard, where it is not only lighted, but easier to reach.
Another annoyance is the lack of standard ABS on a mid-level SUV manufactured in 2002. My 02 Protege5 had it standard (ABS std in Canada, A/C std in US for 2002/2003 Protege5's). My 1993 Accord SE had it (although it was not std on lower models, and SE was limited edition). In Canada, weather conditions can change drastically throughout the seasons, and ABS should have been std on this model for the Canadian market. *NOTE: I assume my LX does not have ABS, as according to the manual, an ABS light should come on when I start my vehicle, and it doesn't. Once the snow hits the ground, a quick stop will validate if ABS is missing, as I will just slide, instead of experience the pulsing sound/feel of ABS in action.
A third "huh?" is the lack of rear centre armrest. I do believe this is becoming more standard as time passes, but our 03 Murano has it (I realize there is a huge price difference).
My last but biggest beef is the column-mounted shifter. Glad Mazda/Ford put it in the centre console in later years. I feel like I'm driving a soccer mom van (or MPV) every time I have to use the transmission lever. Not cool, especially for a "Zoom Zoom" vehicle.
I could probably think of more pros & cons if I tried a bit harder, but just wanted to get this started to see how others feel. Overall, I'm giving Mazda kudos for the design and functionality of this vehicle.
Cheers, Mark
To start off, my nicety is the fact that the mid-level 02 LX has a power driver's seat. That's not necessary for an entry level SUV in my option.
Another nicety is the fog lamps - good to see those included standard, on LX anyway. And good to see.....literally. They do help light the way.
A third "nice to have" is the reclining rear seats. Another bonus for this model.
An annoyance is the ignition setup - Mazda messed this one up. What's up with the lack of lighting for the key insert? The location requires me to gawk my head to the right and fumble around to stick the key in when lighting is low ie. dark. For a few bucks, Mazda could have put a light in this area (my 87 Dodge had it), and/or put it in an easier to use location. Our Murano has it slightly to the right, as part of the dashboard, where it is not only lighted, but easier to reach.
Another annoyance is the lack of standard ABS on a mid-level SUV manufactured in 2002. My 02 Protege5 had it standard (ABS std in Canada, A/C std in US for 2002/2003 Protege5's). My 1993 Accord SE had it (although it was not std on lower models, and SE was limited edition). In Canada, weather conditions can change drastically throughout the seasons, and ABS should have been std on this model for the Canadian market. *NOTE: I assume my LX does not have ABS, as according to the manual, an ABS light should come on when I start my vehicle, and it doesn't. Once the snow hits the ground, a quick stop will validate if ABS is missing, as I will just slide, instead of experience the pulsing sound/feel of ABS in action.
A third "huh?" is the lack of rear centre armrest. I do believe this is becoming more standard as time passes, but our 03 Murano has it (I realize there is a huge price difference).
My last but biggest beef is the column-mounted shifter. Glad Mazda/Ford put it in the centre console in later years. I feel like I'm driving a soccer mom van (or MPV) every time I have to use the transmission lever. Not cool, especially for a "Zoom Zoom" vehicle.
I could probably think of more pros & cons if I tried a bit harder, but just wanted to get this started to see how others feel. Overall, I'm giving Mazda kudos for the design and functionality of this vehicle.
Cheers, Mark
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Hey folks, just wanted to start a dialogue about niceties (good things) and annoyances (not so good) about our Tributes. This will not apply to all models, nor all years I assume.
To start off, my nicety is the fact that the mid-level 02 LX has a power driver's seat. That's not necessary for an entry level SUV in my option.
Another nicety is the fog lamps - good to see those included standard, on LX anyway. And good to see.....literally. They do help light the way.
A third "nice to have" is the reclining rear seats. Another bonus for this model.
An annoyance is the ignition setup - Mazda messed this one up. What's up with the lack of lighting for the key insert? The location requires me to gawk my head to the right and fumble around to stick the key in when lighting is low ie. dark. For a few bucks, Mazda could have put a light in this area (my 87 Dodge had it), and/or put it in an easier to use location. Our Murano has it slightly to the right, as part of the dashboard, where it is not only lighted, but easier to reach.
Another annoyance is the lack of standard ABS on a mid-level SUV manufactured in 2002. My 02 Protege5 had it standard (ABS std in Canada, A/C std in US for 2002/2003 Protege5's). My 1993 Accord SE had it (although it was not std on lower models, and SE was limited edition). In Canada, weather conditions can change drastically throughout the seasons, and ABS should have been std on this model for the Canadian market. *NOTE: I assume my LX does not have ABS, as according to the manual, an ABS light should come on when I start my vehicle, and it doesn't. Once the snow hits the ground, a quick stop will validate if ABS is missing, as I will just slide, instead of experience the pulsing sound/feel of ABS in action.
A third "huh?" is the lack of rear centre armrest. I do believe this is becoming more standard as time passes, but our 03 Murano has it (I realize there is a huge price difference).
My last but biggest beef is the column-mounted shifter. Glad Mazda/Ford put it in the centre console in later years. I feel like I'm driving a soccer mom van (or MPV) every time I have to use the transmission lever. Not cool, especially for a "Zoom Zoom" vehicle.
I could probably think of more pros & cons if I tried a bit harder, but just wanted to get this started to see how others feel. Overall, I'm giving Mazda kudos for the design and functionality of this vehicle.
Cheers, Mark
To start off, my nicety is the fact that the mid-level 02 LX has a power driver's seat. That's not necessary for an entry level SUV in my option.
Another nicety is the fog lamps - good to see those included standard, on LX anyway. And good to see.....literally. They do help light the way.
A third "nice to have" is the reclining rear seats. Another bonus for this model.
An annoyance is the ignition setup - Mazda messed this one up. What's up with the lack of lighting for the key insert? The location requires me to gawk my head to the right and fumble around to stick the key in when lighting is low ie. dark. For a few bucks, Mazda could have put a light in this area (my 87 Dodge had it), and/or put it in an easier to use location. Our Murano has it slightly to the right, as part of the dashboard, where it is not only lighted, but easier to reach.
Another annoyance is the lack of standard ABS on a mid-level SUV manufactured in 2002. My 02 Protege5 had it standard (ABS std in Canada, A/C std in US for 2002/2003 Protege5's). My 1993 Accord SE had it (although it was not std on lower models, and SE was limited edition). In Canada, weather conditions can change drastically throughout the seasons, and ABS should have been std on this model for the Canadian market. *NOTE: I assume my LX does not have ABS, as according to the manual, an ABS light should come on when I start my vehicle, and it doesn't. Once the snow hits the ground, a quick stop will validate if ABS is missing, as I will just slide, instead of experience the pulsing sound/feel of ABS in action.
A third "huh?" is the lack of rear centre armrest. I do believe this is becoming more standard as time passes, but our 03 Murano has it (I realize there is a huge price difference).
My last but biggest beef is the column-mounted shifter. Glad Mazda/Ford put it in the centre console in later years. I feel like I'm driving a soccer mom van (or MPV) every time I have to use the transmission lever. Not cool, especially for a "Zoom Zoom" vehicle.
I could probably think of more pros & cons if I tried a bit harder, but just wanted to get this started to see how others feel. Overall, I'm giving Mazda kudos for the design and functionality of this vehicle.
Cheers, Mark
Other
: non lit power buttons except for the driver's window. WTF?This one is hilarious: the dimming option of the dash (under the dash) is not lit!!!! (I had to turn on the dome light to find it one night and adjust the dashlight)
The vents at the foot level are very,very weak. I always freeze my feet off in winter. Other cars I owned and own are OK with this feature.
Another annoying feature is, once the car is warm/heated, it's pretty hard to get cool air through the vents. One has to use A/C and cool down the ducts, but then they will warm up again once the A/C is off (cold air only). WTF?
I love the rear cover you can pull and hide your shopping - that one is cool.
Also the rear power outlet. Awsome for a little cooler when going out in summer.
Good choice of hiding the spare and having the small wheel style. Usually one does not have many flat tires, but if you will ever have one, you won't get dirty (nobody cleans that spare that is under the car in the rear - check her out after 2 or 3 years). Ask me how I know.
I absolutely hate the fact that ALL automakers nicely equip the cars with widowmakers (what they call jack) and no wheel chock. They are not that expensive.
I like the fact that I have alloy wheels (not the nicest, but quite light). Outdated now for a 16" wheel.
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