Mazda Tribute Swimming
Submitted: Monday, May 19, 2003 at 19:58
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Mike
beware Mazda Tribute owners
The air intake for the engine is very low and forward facing in the front grill,
as we found out along with 2 other Tribute owners in our area. Sydneys recent heavy rain was a
test for our 5 week old Tribute , we were caught by surprise when travelling through 30 cm of water the engine was swamped by a passing truck. It was painfull to be passed by camry's and falcons in our wet 4x4.
Repair bill $31000.00 yes $31000.00 (new motor ,computer ,air bags ect ect)
what a shocker . MM
Reply By: sloth - Monday, May 19, 2003 at 20:26
Monday, May 19, 2003 at 20:26
oouucchh!!!
AnswerID:
20462
Follow Up By: GaryInOz (Vic) - Monday, May 19, 2003 at 22:02
Monday, May 19, 2003 at 22:02
You could buy a Suzuki Grand Vitara from new for that amount of money, maybe not as large as the Tribute but a hell of a lot more capable. Just because it looks like a "true" 4WD does't mean has any of the real benifits of a real 4WD (as you have found out). The softroaders should be kept to the bitumen or graded dirt tracks they were designed for. Tributes are very vulnerable to having their complete rear end ripped out by anything greater than about 4" in height on the road due to the VERY low and thin transverse
suspension arms. As far as the softroaders on road "safety advantage" of AWD on the bitumen, this is largely offset by their higher center of gravity, complicated by the drivers that drive them like they would a normal car. Not a big fan of them...
FollowupID:
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Reply By: Voxson (Adelaide) - Monday, May 19, 2003 at 20:40
Monday, May 19, 2003 at 20:40
Yes.. No surprise to me at all...Tributes are very lame for offroad use...
300mm of water was all it took for my friend Chris to have the same thing happen to him, but it was from his own bow wave..
He was towed out of the water and back to closest town by an aging Subaru and repaired quite cheaply but very red faced...
He then continued on his trip through
Birdsville and 200kms out the Eastern side when a
rock sticking through the road crashed through his Engine sump, gearbox and rear diff housing leaving him stranded.. The fellow at Birdville garage would remember that Blue Tribute...
Well anyways,,, on their way again after a massive repair bill and towing charge.......
Got to back to
Adelaide and noticed it leaking still from a couple of the welds...
Rang their insurance company (aami) and explained their dilemma and aami asked to inspect the vehicle because they said it was claimable (classed as an accident)...
He dropped it off to be inspected and got a call later that day.... Insurance company said they would write it off... Smashed up floor pan, petrol tank, all the mentioned damage, steering components,,, etc etc... Mazda parts to dear...
He has since bought a Landcruiser...Boom Boom...
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Countin the days till July 5th. *
Cape York Trip*
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AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Voxson (Adelaide) - Monday, May 19, 2003 at 20:42
Monday, May 19, 2003 at 20:42
I have a avi (3 meg) if anyone wants to see it...Of the creek (puddle) crossing.._____________________________________________
Countin the days till July 5th. *
Cape York Trip*
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FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: sloth - Tuesday, May 20, 2003 at 09:12
Tuesday, May 20, 2003 at 09:12
i will see it Voxson. Please email to stuart@scsaunders.com.au or let me know the url.
I love broadband.
cheers.
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Follow Up By: charlie - Tuesday, May 20, 2003 at 09:14
Tuesday, May 20, 2003 at 09:14
Hey Voxon,
Where are you keeping this avi?
Charlie
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Follow Up By: Voxson (Adelaide) - Tuesday, May 20, 2003 at 21:10
Tuesday, May 20, 2003 at 21:10
sloth,, i will send it soon.. i need to get onto
my home pc.... like you said.. with broadband..
charlie... it is on my hard drive but i will send it to you if you want.._____________________________________________
Countin the days till July 5th. *
Cape York Trip*
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Reply By: Savvas - Wednesday, May 21, 2003 at 12:51
Wednesday, May 21, 2003 at 12:51
Mike.... Just checking the obvious. At $31000 this is an insurance right off, correct?
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Follow Up By: Mike - Wednesday, May 21, 2003 at 16:04
Wednesday, May 21, 2003 at 16:04
No Savvas
The NRMA and Mazda after nearly 2 weeks still can't decide what to do with our Tribute . Mazda wants the car righten off in case of future warranty claims and the NRMA want to get out of it on the cheap and do as little as possible because after its repaired they are no longer liable ,so we are without a car while the saga continues.
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