Mazda Tribue, CX-7 or Ford Escape?

[metalmania]

I am driving a 2005 Mazda 3i with 14,000 miles on it. Yes I know I don't drive that much but I am thinking of getting a small SUV like the Escape, Mazda Tribute or CX-7. Hopefully the trade-in will cover some expenses from the same Mazda dealer.

Are these SUVs similar? I read the reviews from edmunds, just don't know if there is something I missed. Well I want to spend less than $22,000 OTD before the trade-in. Should I wait until October or December to get some clearance event?

Thanks!

 

[punjabiplaya]

Mazda's doing 0% summer clearance thingy right now

 

[PricklyPete]

IMHO the CX-7 is leaps and bounds better than either option. Try the one with the 2.5i engine and see if it meets your expectations. It should deliver decent gas mileage and still drive relatively similar to your 3. The Escape/Tribute are not bad for what you pay...but they are long in the tooth on a pretty piss poor platform and handle like poop.

 

[StageLeft]

You drive 3k/year. I frankly wouldn't bother.

 

[CrackRabbit]

I test drove both earlier this year.
The Esacpe/Tribute was nice, and adequately powered with the i4 motor, but the interior styling is certainly bland. Sync is awesome.

The CX-7 felt slightly underpowered with the base i4, the interior is much better and wouldn't take a whole lot of getting used to coming from a 3. Rear visibility is somewhat constricted with the CX-7 as well. Finally the trims without a turbo lack some of the higher end features that are available on the Escape.

 

[metalmania]

I have a kid now, so I want to change.

Thanks! I will check out the CX-7 then.

 

[CptCrunch]

I recently purchased one of their siblings:

2009 Mercury Mariner V6 4WD Premier with 22k miles
Sunroof
Leather w/heated seats
Dual climate control
Automatic climate control
Rear parking sensors
Trailer Package
Sync

For 22.8k OTD. You can find 2008 models cheaper, but the V6 and I4's were tweaked for 2009 models for more power/efficiency, plus a 6 speed automatic transmission all around.

 

[metalmania]

Scheduled a test drive this Saturday. The saleslady told me I can get some "loyal customer" discount. Anyway I have the price set already, I'll just stick to that.

 

[Sid59]

Scheduled a test drive this Saturday. The saleslady told me I can get some "loyal customer" discount. Anyway I have the price set already, I'll just stick to that.

Keep us updated. Before we bought the Mazda5, we took laps around in the CX7 I-Sport. I didn't enjoy it as much as the Mazda5.

Other than more room, is there anything else that made you want to change cars?

 

[metalmania]

Besides more room, the SUV is safer if I drive regularly. My wife is driving too.