USED Mazda 2 Hatchback (03 - 07)

My car

I have recently test-driven this car, and was quite surprised and impressed in a number of areas.

Yes, ok, it doesn't look fantastic, but as a practical family carrier, it really does deliver. I was especially pleased with the head and leg room, and also the ease of access into the car for all. The diesel engine moves confidently from first gear, but then what a mover in second and third - and this from 68bhp!

As for its specification, well, the model we tested was the 1.4 TDi Antares, which has electric windows, four-speaker radio/CD, remote audio controls, remote central locking, deadlocks, immobiliser, alarm, metallic paint, air-conditioning, ABS and two airbags - not bad at all.

The storage was pretty good, with three enclosed compartments on the dash area, two centre console cup holders, and four door pockets, all capable of holding bottles. The boot isn't that large, but the front passenger seat folds flat allowing for long items to be carried if needed.

Overall, it's definitely worth a second look if you want a roomy, reasonably equipped, secure, safe and economical, eager family bus.

My car

I have had this car since January 2006. I find this car very nice indeed. It's extremely cheap to run, the MPG is excellent. The 1.4 Diesel engine is very powerful - I would go to say that it is maybe too powerful for the size of the car. It has loads of space.

The only downside is that it looks a bit dull. As I have one in Black it reminds me of a small hearse. But apart from that I cannot fault it. I mainly bought it because it was different.

You don't see many on the road, and living in Essex I certainly wasn't going to buy a Ford like everyone else, and very bad past experiences with Citroen & Renault meant giving French cars a wide berth. Mazda, just change the shape a bit and make it look more fun.

My car

I bought this car brand new in September 2003, as a replacement for my much-loved Ford Fiesta 1.25 Chicane. From very early on, my Mazda has rattled and squeaked like a ten-year-old banger, something my by then six-year old Fiesta never did.

It was returned to the dealer time and time again for squeaks and rattles (the rear seat squeaked very loudly and constantly for two years before they could find the cause) to be rectified... and then the real problems began.

After just 2000 miles the clutch failed. My Fiesta, which I had for four years from 20,000 miles to nearly 75,000 miles, was still on its original clutch and exhaust when I part-exchanged it.

After that, an electric window motor failed, it developed a fairly major oil leak, it continued to rattle and then, to add insult to injury, whilst it was in the dealers on one of many occasions, one of the mechanics backed it into a wall.

The latest glitch, and the most major so far, was the failure of the ignition coil, leaving me stranded. It has also started rattling again, and two more of the electric windows have started to show signs of imminent failure. I wouldn't buy another Mazda, and couldn't advise anyone else to do so.

My car

I have owned this car for about three months now. I bought the car for my girlfriend on the basis that Mazdas arereliable.

However, after two weeks, the drive shaft bearings collapsed and the car had to go to the garage for three days. Also, whenever we put the car into first gear, the gear stick cover popped off, so this again had to be rectified.

Hopefully this is a one-off and we were just unlucky. As far as a little car goes, there is all the equipment you would expect. The car does have lots of space and the engine pulls well when given plenty of revs.