USED Mazda 6 Estate (07 - )

My car

Changed from Honda Accord to the Mazda Estate 163 Takayuma - mistake. No matter how easily I drive the Mazda I can't get over 42/43mpg whereas in the Honda i had no problem getting 50+mpg. Also the drivers seat is very uncomfortable so much so that I now sit on a blanket to get a bit of comfort. Don't believe everything you read in the car magazines about the Mazda - the Honda is an infinitely better car to drive.

My car

I bought this car in early September, and in Summer driving conditions the car drives like a dream. 10/10. Lovely cornering, comfortable driving position, and everything works as it should. I paid £21k for this brand new (1st owner) including leather seats and metallic paint because I used internet prices to haggle down the price, don't settle for the What Car target price, it is way too high. A joy to drive and I was happy. I would recommend the car to anyone who puts their car in hibernation when the weather gets cold. HOWEVER, PLEASE NOTE that the car is awful as soon as there is ice on the road. The combination of standard low profile tyres and r/w drive means that every frozen puddle brings insecurity. I've actually crashed the car in the bad ice in December, after driving many cars for more than 2 decades this is the scariest car I have ever driven in ice. Also the demister takes over 5 mins to clear the front window. I can't wait for Spring!

My car

I am perplexed by my car compared to other reviews. It is the most disappointing I have had, primarily because of the poor economy. It costs me £500 a year in extra diesel because it cannot get close to the book figure; my previous Skoda exceeded the book driving in a similar way. The car has been designed by tick box; include all options, but without consideration for how well they will work- 1 adaptive lights useless 2 rain sensitive wipers - cannot cope with spray, but then run continuously when stationary and dry 3 xenon lights; much less bright than those on my Skoda or even the halogens on my wife's Citroen C4 4 terrible economy; get up to 47mpg if you drive at 45-60 on dual carriageway, but try to keep at 70 & it's back to 40 if you are lucky 5 paint scratches easily off dash 6 Bose stereo good, reception from aerial in window poor 7 notchest gear box I have ever used; when cold it is worse the my 1980 reg Fiat127 8 alot of road noise; you really appreciate the quiet in other cars 9 pressure sensors in tyre valves; 2 failed in the first year with it being my hard luck (& bill) according to Mazda. A can of foam is no good when the valve won't stay in 10 rear wash wipe should engage when wipers are on + in reverse (every other car does) 11 steering wheel controls try to do too much and so are too complicated for most of what they should do On the surface this is a good car, but beneath so much could have been much better if more thought had been used

My car

Took delivery of my 6 Takuya Estate last month. Did a lot of research, and short listed 2 - Toyota Avensis, and the Mazda 6. Settled for the Mazda 6, after having taken a test drive. Incidentally the Toyota failed for 2 reasons, one the position of the electric handbrake, and secondly dealer attitude. (Previous spec car offered for test drive etc) Mazda however (Chris Allen Motors Fleetwood) scored 10 out of 10, so there is a dealer that wants to sell out there!!!!!

My daily commute Preston to Rochdale is 64 miles mixture of motorway and single carriageway A Roads - undulating and twisting. So I definitely need a diesel.

My first choice would have been the TS, however to take delivery at the end of September I had to settle for a Takuya special edition. The spec is very good indeed - half leather seats - excellent 6 speaker stereo etc, yes I am enjoying living with the car.

The only vice as it were is the very very light steering, mind you some would say no bad thing, however after a Focus and my wife's Ibiza,it takes a little getting used too.

To date I have had 2 weeks communuting plus 2 weeks holiday which meant driving to Southampton to pick up a ship - So running costs - OK early days on the commute to work - circa 47 mpg, on the Southampton run just over 49, so based on the present 1400 miles run, I reckon the magic figure of 50 will be attainable in due course.

Build quality is also excellent, again the diffence in cabin noise levels is fantastic.