Mazda3 (2005-2006 era) - Opinions Sought

Buckster

Buckster

Buckster

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20 Aug 2006
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Looking for a replacement car for my Wifes Fiesta - which is to be honest pretty past it (V reg 1.25) - its ok - but she needs something a bit larger and with more safety features (the Fiesta doesn't even have ABS)

budget under 5k - and have looked at Ford Focus, Mazda3 and Honda Civic

any one own one of the Mazda3 ? in particular the 2.0 Sport ? seems a lot of car for the money (a 2005 one with <50k miles is under 5k)

she doesn't necessarily need something as nippy as a 2.0 - but the 2.0 Sport seems to come with lots of extras and luxuries as standard which is nice.

other car we've considered is a Honda Civic Type - S or a Ford Focus ST170

the Honda as my 1.8VTI is still going strong at 158k miles and has been exceedingly reliable

cheers, Buckster
 
Got a 2004 1.6TS for my sister a few years ago. It's fairly average really. Not particularly economical and has required a suprisingly large amount spending on it to get it through MOT's etc.
 
[TW]Fox;20934514 said:
has required a suprisingly large amount spending on it to get it through MOT's etc.
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That's unexpected. In roundups and statistics it tends to be most reliable of focii clones and I always presumed most consumables were cheap Ford parts?
 
TWFOX thanks for that - not what I was expecting - is that a petrol or diesel 1.6 ?

I've been averaging about 150-200 (except when passes straight through) on my 13 year old Civic ... including MOT fee
 
Not what I was expecting either frankly, it was bought to be a 'run and forget' reliable Jap car. It's a 1.6 petrol. Engine itself has been fine though reasonably thirsty. It's utterly silent at the lights though, you cannot tell its running which is quite nice.
 
Buckster said:
Looking for a replacement car for my Wifes Fiesta - which is to be honest pretty past it (V reg 1.25) - its ok - but she needs something a bit larger and with more safety features (the Fiesta doesn't even have ABS)

budget under 5k - and have looked at Ford Focus, Mazda3 and Honda Civic

any one own one of the Mazda3 ? in particular the 2.0 Sport ? seems a lot of car for the money (a 2005 one with <50k miles is under 5k)

she doesn't necessarily need something as nippy as a 2.0 - but the 2.0 Sport seems to come with lots of extras and luxuries as standard which is nice.

other car we've considered is a Honda Civic Type - S or a Ford Focus ST170

the Honda as my 1.8VTI is still going strong at 158k miles and has been exceedingly reliable

cheers, Buckster
Click to expand...

When we were looking for my gf's new car we looked at the following:
Mazda3 2.0 sport.
BMW 116, 118d, 120d (pre facelift 2007 - so not as economical as post face-lift).
Toyota Corolla
Toyata Yaris
Toyata Auris

Personally I think the focus (st170 era) looks a little dated - my sister had a st170 and now a 1.6.
The Mazda3 had pretty appalling performance for it's fuel consumption. We didnt test drive it, so not sure how it drives.
The Corolla is old now and superceded.
The Yaris a little small.

That left us with the Auris and the 1 series. Personally I would have chosen an Auris (nicer interior, more room etc) but in the end we went for a 120d.

It cost her £7k or so, so a little over your budget.

I would suggest looking at a 116/118d and an Auris before you make your decision. Her 120d gets about 42mpg, so a 118d ust get around 45.

**edit** we looked in the classifieds at A3's and Golfs but they were far overpriced for how dull they are.
 
[TW]Fox;20934795 said:
I would run away, screaming, from a sub £5k 1 Series. You absolutely don't want to be there.
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If they can stretch to 6k they should be ok, but yes, I agree.

I don't know how much Auris' cost now, it was only 9 months ago when we were looking and they were around 7k-ish then.
 
Other half has a Mazda 3 but the 1.4. Essentially a good car that owes her little so far. Interior is typically jap, but well built and functional. Let's not kid ourselves, it's not class leading though.

Engine seems pretty good for a 1.4 - reasonably urgent and good enough for her. Impressed by the ride - its firm but planted (which was always going to sit well with me).

Plenty of room in the boot for the wild canine beast she has.

No doubt there's better cars out there but she could have done far worse.
 
My mum had a 1.6 Mazda 3 Takara which I regularly drove and it was sluggish, unresponsive and used far too much petrol. I wouldn't recommend them.
 
When we say "way too much" how much are we describing . What are we talking - Z/ZM engine? Just how much damage can a 1.6 do?
 
v0n said:
When we say "way too much" how much are we describing . What are we talking - Z/ZM engine? Just how much damage can a 1.6 do?
Click to expand...

thanks for all replies :) definate food for thought

those Auris's look rather nice - found some very very low mileage ones <6k

would you be put off by super low mileage ? Found a Civic Type -S (2005) - with 12k miles ?? from a dealer for 6k, and a Auris with 16k miles for 6k as well

re MPG - well my 1.8 Civic manages 18 around town ! I think its a V6 wannabe
 
I've got the 2.0 TS2 Sedan...

I previously owned a 1.6 focus (mk1.5) and I prefer being in the mazda to the ford, mainly because it doesn't rattle so much and has auto air conditioning. Pretty similar handling to the mk2 focus which i didn't like as much as the mk1.5...

I've put 20k on it in a year and half and haven't had any trouble with it at all. They do have a problem of rusting at the wheel arches of which I wasn't aware of when i bought it.

Fuel consumption is pretty poor, think it's around 35mpg if you're not on the motorway or doing short trips. Even longer trips I struggled to get over 40mpg. Seems bad for something which isn't particularly quick.

Sports seem to carry a premium, I picked up my 04 plate TS2 for 4.2k with 30k on the clock (1 and a half years ago).

(yes i know i have appeared from no where)
 
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