Is the new Mazda 3 1.6-litre automatic a good purchase?

I need to change my manual Mazda 1.6TS for an automatic because of a knee problem, which puts me in pain when using the clutch. I fancy the Mazda 3 TS2 2.0 automatic petrol. Is this a good idea? I don't know much about modern automatics. I need reliability above all.

Asked on 3 October 2012 by DR, Nantwich

Answered by Honest John

The Mazda 3 has now reverted from the 2.0-litre auto to the 1.6-litre auto. This has lower emissions, which most automatic owners would prefer to have rather than high performance they never use. Mazda 3s recently beat everything else in their class in the German JD Power Customer Satisfaction Survey. Tests here: www.honestjohn.co.uk/road-tests/mazda/mazda-3-16-a.../ and www.honestjohn.co.uk/road-tests/mazda/mazda-3-2012.../

Tags: automatics buying a new car co2 emissions reliability

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