All I can say is I've been an owner driver of the Tribute for about 18 months.

I bought a '52 plate with 50k on from a colleague who had owned it for about 4-5 years (I'm the third owner). Rationale sounds very similar to yours TBH, I live down a farm track and when it snows we and my neighbours will usually get snowed in. When my pal mentioned he was getting a new car, I borrowed his Tribute for the weekend and went for it soon afterwards. I know they're very similar to the Maverick (I believe the Mazda had better suspension, but how noticable it is I couldn't say).

Mileage = I get about 26mpg on my daily commute which is mainly stop / start journey. Occasionally I drive down to Leeds which returns nearer to 30 (about 50% A1 50% fighting through Leeds itself!). I don't do high miles so I'm not too worried about this. When needed the 4 wheel / all wheel drive system has been fine and automatically engages too (the base models are 2wd only, so be warned).

It's not the quickest of beasts, I rarely push mine past 60-65, but it gets me to work on time! Can't say feel lost at the lights or anything and don't worry about pulling away on roundabouts either. Space wise, it's great. Frequent trips to the tip, B&Q etc, and room in the back aplenty for the pram. The CR-V which I often look it and wonder about, does seem noticably smaller. Has all the basics covered too; lots of airbags (front and side), Isofix for the kiddy seat, cruise control, good a/c and electric sunroof

Only bad things I'd say is the age means a timing belt might be due, but that only set me back a couple of hundred including a full service with my chap. The thermostat housing is a known fault of the 2.0 Zetec which is about £100 plus fitting (I think). Finally, the steel used by Ford seems paper thin so a good check for rust is essential, especially around the rear arches; they put "lovely" plastic ttims on which can hide a mulitude of sins! Also the rear undersid needs checking, otherise I've had no problems. Polishes up a treat in fact.

I know my views are the Mazda and not the Ford, but the motor really has done everything I asked for. There does seem to be plenty available for not much money BUT I did know the history of mine; I knew the owners and how it was used and abused.

HTH!

I had a honda Cr-v with an auto. Fantastic engine, pulled quickly and practicality/comfort was great BUT had to get rid of it a few months in as i had the dreaded diff problems that I spent £000's on but never resolved. To be fair it had high mileage and I bought it at auction so no test drive before hand. I wouldn't say no outright to the honda - just make sure you test drive it and when going around a corner listen for any knocks. Also look for fluid change of teh diff in the service history. The above makes it sound unreliable, but my guess would be that an old 4x4 ford ain't gonna be any better!