USED Mazda 6 Estate (07 - 12)

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 have now covered 8000 miles in three months and have to say I am very impressed with the mazda 6. I had a succession of hire cars (mainly Vectra SRi estates and VW tourans) but this beats them all for all-round living. The main negatives would be quality feel: it does not compare to the vectras I have driven (which were in turn better than passats and tourans). The fuel consumption initially was also a worry 37mpg (the 1.8 petrol vecrtra was giving 40+!!), this has improved alot(40 round town 47 on motorways) The positives, where do i start! It looks superb, has so much equipment for the money. The modern but understated cabin works superbly and the practicality: that load cover that raises with the hatch, the shopping-hooks in the boot, the one-touch collapsing seats to name a few. The engine refinement is good compared to the VW's (new VW 2.0 is a match though) The handling is unbelievable! If you like a sporty ride this is for you. The seats are comfortable too, initially on test drive I thought them hard but now i love them! (couldn't sit in VW's for more than 1 hour without pain!). Voice activated bluetooth is good too.

Overall a very underestimated car: i'm glad I chose it!

My car

Previously I would confess to being a bit of a badge snob but not any more! The sales man was right when he said that it would drive much better than my Audi A3. The engine and power deliver of the diesel are so much smoother than the vw group tdi's though the long gearing makes it less flexible but this is improving with miles. I was lucky enough to get a great deal with top book for my old car against a 3 month old delivery mileage 2.0D sport Lux with £4500 of list! The only option avilalble is met paint! every other toy is there already, though the rear wiper sweeping before reversing would be handy. Economy has improved steadily from 37 to 42 in mixed driving, the DPF regeneration cycle does use quite a bit of fuel when its happening. The overall quality of the car is as good as my previous Audi's so what if the plastics you dont touch all the time arent soft touch. Mazda seem to have spent the money making the car steer and ride much more consistantly than any of my Audi's did. This is the best car I have owned to date, its nice to have a car with some character again!

My car

Nice car, everything you need really. BUT - avoid diesel engine, car started pouring with smoke just before joining motorway, dipped the clutch then it accelerated on its own to max revs, very dangerous and would not recommend this car to anyone for this one reason.