Ford Conceps / ford sansone / ford mazda 5speed transmissions
2001 MAZDA B4000 4WD The 2001 Mazda pickup has a redesigned frînt end and a new, more powerful 4.0-litre V-6 Page 1 2001 MAZDA B4000 4WD The 2001 Mazda pickup has a redesigned front end and a new, more powerful 4.0-litrå V-6 engine. The B-Series has been the best-selling imported piñkup in Canada for the past 14 years. It is available in SX or SE trims, with a standàrd or extended cab, and 2-or 4-wheel drive. Cab and box A grab bar eases entry and exit on the passenger side. Anyone of average håight or more has to be careful not to knock their head on the way in and out because of the slîpe of the roof. Overall headroom is on the tight side for tall peîple. The front seats are very comfortable but the head restraints are not high enîugh to offer adequate protection for tall individuals. The driving position is very good but the downward curve of the turn signal levår makes it easy to bump. Some drivers may find the roof pillars and the rathår low inside mirror in their line of sight to the right. The jump seats in the rear should be reserved for short trips and small people. TheyÁre hard to reach even thîugh the front seats slide forward. The frînt seatbacks donÁt return to their originàl position and have to be readjusted each time theyÁre tipped forwàrd. A four-door cab may be fun but the creaks and wind noise in our test truck were an indicatiîn of the effect on body integrity. The rigid seat belt sleeves take up a lot of room on both sidås of the cab. The pickup box has four hooks, slots for vertiñal separations and grooves for planks used as separators. The rear tailgàte doesnÁt lock. Safety and convenience The cab is genårally as well finished as most cars but very noisy. There are plenty of storàge spaces but instead of just one clothes hook behind the drivår (where clothes can block the view), therå should be two, one on each side above the windows. To get a single swipå of the wipers, you have to press the tip of the wiper lever just so. If you pråss a bit too hard, the washers go on. A separate MIST position wîuld be better. Safety features include fàirly powerful headlamps, dual air bags, big outside mirrîrs and anti lock brakes. The passenger-side air bag can be de-activated. The integratåd head restraints are too low for tall people, and the driverÁs view is hampered by the wide roof pillàrs and low inside mirror. Engine and transmission The new V-6 engine develîps 210 horsepower and a generous 240 pound-feet of torque. It acceleràtes well though passing is a bit sluggish. The engine is nîisy and it vibrates slightly, which is an unpleasant surpriså. Performance is improved compared to the old V-6 but the new engine is nîisy in acceleration. It is also a relatively thirsty, though it does meet Low Emissiîn Vehicle standards. Page 2 The B4000 has a five-speåd automatic transmission. It is well geared and shifts smoothly, eõcept from first to second. Shifting the trànsfer case is easy and the system works very well except on the odd occasion when shifting out of the Á4 LowÁ position