USED Mazda 6 Saloon (02 - 07)

My car

A sublime example of what Mazda can achieve when it wants to.

Plus: Great to drive. The handling is superb in twisties and back roads. Highway cruises are exceptionally relaxing (w/ cruise control. The triptronic gear is god-send for immediate overtaking manoveurs. Sound system is way above average. The sunroof lets in a sunny ambience in the cabin. The space and boot is the right size for a family.

Minus: Ride is fidgety on slightly damaged road surfaces. Engine is slightly short of breath at the intial take off. Wind noise can be improved. Not a frugal engine by class standards: averaging 10.4 litres per 100km.

Overall: Makes a BMW and Audi feel severely overpriced ego-trips and a triumph of vanity over substance. Given the same German budgets, it's inconcievable that Mazda (and Honda) can't do a far better job.

My car

Having owned an Audi A4 1.8T Quattro for the last three years I wanted to try something a bit different. The A4 in quattro form is a superb car but the 1.8T engine is a little under powered. What I wanted was all the benifits of the 4 wheel drive but with a bit more go. The more powerful A4's are are bit on the expensive side so I had a look around to see what else was on the market.

The Mazda 6 MPS offered all the benifits of the 4 wheel drive plus it offered 256bhp, so I took the plunge.

I was not disappointed either. What the Mazda lacks in build quality compared with the A4, it more than makes up for in drive ability and the sheer fun factor. It puts a smile on your face every time you get behind the wheel.

The only downside to all this power is fuel consumptin. Drive it carefully on a long run and you will get what Mazda says it will do, around 28 mpg. Drive it hard and the consumption drops in to the high teens! Other than that, if you are looking for a sensible family car that we blast most boy racers off the road then look no further.

My car

I have owned the mps for about 5months i'm a high mileage user and have clocked up about 19k it's a great fantastic fun car to drive.I had an x-type jaguar previously which was a good cruseing car.Servicing costs are low.The only problem that i have with mazda is it's service,the car developed a fault of clouds of black smoke coming from the exhaust's even at idle!.Mazda service really don't seem to know what they are doing! & they seem to be unwilling to spend the money to fix it even though it's under warranty.

My car

2.0 TS2 Estate actually.

Fantastic car, total reliability over 40,000 miles, although i do have to sometimes clean it. Great to drive, very practical, superb equipment level, pretty good running costs also. In fact so impressed i am about to trade it in....... for a 6 MPS.

Can hardly wait.

well done Mazda