Paying tribute

WE BOUGHT our 2003 Mazda Tribute Traveller in 2005 with 34,000km on the clock and a balance of new-car warranty expiring in April 2006. According to the logbooks, it had been regularly maintained. However, late in 2006, when the car had travelled about 60,000km, we noticed a screeching noise under acceleration and a jumping of the gears. The problem was a faulty torque converter, which required replacement. As our warranty had just expired Mazda would not honour the cost of the repairs, which, with other problems, totalled $2800. Since reading a number of complaints about gearbox problems with the Tribute we are not sure if we should keep it as we really don't wish to spend any more money on potential engine repairs.