Hi, I'm going to start looking around at the 6 soon, I'm hoping to part -ex my 2001 Mondeo Ghia 5dr 2L with 20k on clock FDH. I'm looking at the 5 door in Sport with the 2.3 litre, otherwise it will be the 2L in TS2 grade. Would like one with under 10k on the clock and I'm in the Surrey area.
What sort of deal do you think I should push for? What sort of value should I ask for my car? In the past I always up the value against the screen price of the new car rather then try to knock of money.
I have heard about the clutch problems and worn seats, is there anything else I can look for? Any comments on the dealers round here? (or rather lack of them!)
I've always had Ford so I have high expectations of Mazda in terms of quality and the dealer service.
Cheers all and have a nice weekend.
James
|
James
I might well go for a Mazda 6 myself, so should be very interested in knowing how you get on.
What's the problem with the clutch?
I did look into buying a 6 a couple of years ago, but eventually didn't (partly because of lack of dealers) and have regretted it ever since.
The trouble is that, brand new, they are very good value, but they certainly don't depreciate much, so not sure they are a good deal second-hand.
They certainly won't depreciate as fast as your Mondeo. Incidentally, given that the 6 and Mondeo are closely related, I would like to know why you want to change.
Let us know how you get on
|
|
|
Interesting one....
I bought (new) and sold it shortly afterwards.
If you should consider buying new - you should be able to get up to "£2k off if you haggle, and yes this does translate into poor residuals - I had all the spiel about high residuals, until I came to trade in...don't believe a word of it.
HOWEVER - nearly new ..... a nearly new (only a few months old and very very low mileage 2.0 TS gets offers circa 11k from dealers), so work out what marins they are working on and you get to a realistic nearly new price. In the end I did improve greatly on this, but will spare the why's and wherefore's. I'm sure it is a buyers market for this car, despite what those selling to you may say ;-)
If you do Motorway miles, take a long test drive - noise is a real issue. Also pay attention to things like the air con (noise and effectiveness) and sound quality of stereo. I would be surprised if it was better in quality terms than the mondeo, but cheaper, yes, I would agree.
Sold mine (on a 05 plate) with under 5k miles.
|
Certainly not many in auction - only,2 in fact, in Auctionview!!
Over 300 in www.mazda.co.uk if you search their used stock - wide variation on dealers prices, if it's anything like they try & sell Mx5 for!!
VB
|
|
|
Grnicol
On the residuals point, I have had a good look through the Autotrader website, and the price of a 6 on a similar spec to a Mondeo does seem considerably higher.
Can you provide a little more info on why you sold yours? I had understood the noise issue might be tackled by putting on different tyres. Do you mean the car suffers from wind and road noise, or is the noise generated by squeaks and rattles?
You were clearly dissatisfied enough with your 6 to take a substantial hit from the depreciation, and I would like to understand why.
What is the ride quality like? I currently have a 2000 Primera, which is great fun to drive, but picks up every bump in the road. (The roads where I live seem to be getting worse and worse, but I guess that is another subject).
Apart from the 6, I have also been thinking about a Honda Accord (more expensive, but better quality - or is it just a better image?) or possibly a Lexus IS200 (always do well in surveys, but small and very expensive).
|
Oh yes, almost forgot - how come you guys aren't looking at X Types????
A Jaguar in the driveway for Mazda money??!!
VB
|
Actually I have been thinking about the X Type, and am tempted. But I believe they are quite expensive to maintain and are less reliable - but certainly not ruled them out.
As an aside, my boss (who earns at least 3 times as much as me) has an S-Type - not sure how he would react when I turn up in the company car park in an X-Type! Might be worth it just to see his expression, of course.
|
|
|
|
A Mondeo in the driveway for Jaguar money?
|
|
|
|
One more point to Grnicol.
Of course, I don't know your circumstances, but, assuming you were a private owner, I wonder if you struggled to get a good trade-in because a garage might find it difficult to sell your car. Put it like this, I would want a damn good explanation for why such a new car had been sold by a private owner, and would probably not want to buy it because I would think there must be a major problem with it. Of course, I would not hesitate to buy a car with 5k miles on it if there was a good reason eg demo car.
|
|
Apologies to J1mbo. Did not mean to hijack this thread, but hopefully the further queries I have raised should be relevant to you as well. I will shut up for a bit now!
|
Hi, that's ok P M. Looking at a 6 around 1-2 years old. Sellin my Mondeo cos of the corrosion problems they are all suffering plus the dealer servicing is dire round here and I don't think the interor quality is as good as everyone thinks. Mondeo's have also suffered from rear suspsion problems.
Many users on Mondeo forums have had cars less then 12 month needing 2 or more doors replacing due to rusting.
Also, I have always had Ford, this is my second Mondeo and 4th Ford. I want something less common and better engineered. Plus a bit more sporty! A V6 Zetec S would be very nice but can't live with the prospect of rust.(which DOES effect every Mondeo built before Oct 04).
|
J1mbo
How can Ford expect to maintain its reputation if its cars rust? I didn't think cars rusted anymore.
What was your point on the 6's clutch?
Are you looking at a hatch or estate, diesel or petrol? I guess the diesel will be a lot more expensive, but may be worth it,as I believe the economy on the 2.0 petrol is only about 34 mpg.
Having said that, I have also been looking into a Honda Accord diesel. I have seen a lot of complaints from people saying they only get mid-30s mpg, which is pretty similar to the petrol consumption. Would you consider an Accord? But perhaps not if you want something sporty.
|
|
Sorry, J1mbo - 3rd para above irrelevant - should have gone back to your original post to see what you are after.
|
How old's your Mondeo J1mbo? I thought the rust got sorted out around 2002ish?
--
Adam
|
Would like a Honda but they only do 4 door and the are very expensive.
Would like a petrol in 2.3 if poss, don't do that many miles a year so don't need a derv. My Mondeo is 01, had probs with rust around doors, weather strips and drainage hole. Its all well documented. A real shame cos it spoils an otherwise very good car. I have been trying to find out when the sorted the corrosion and was told by one chap it was Oct 04. The rust is my main reason for not getting Ford, oh, also the stereo seems poor but the gadgets are quite numerous on the Ghia.
|
Not that it helps you but I'm pretty certain the doors were due to a batch of dodgy sealant? or something whihc were rectified in around 2002.
I'm almost as sure it was Cheddar who said that but I could be wrong.
--
Adam
|
My March 02 Mondeo doesn't have any problems with rust and I have checked carefully. I looked at one of a similar age and the sealant on the bottom of the passenger door was hanging off. I've looked at loads of Mondeo's since and I've not found any others with a significant amount of rust on the doors - it just seems to be one of those things that hits some cars and not others.
I have had my rear suspension bushes done under warranty at 40k, but Powerflex now do Polyurethane replacements for £70 which should last indefinitely.
My Dad has a Mazda 6 2.0d Sport and he's been reasonably happy with it. Its not the quietest car in the world which seems largely due to the big tyres and the ride is on the firm side. The fuel economy on the diesel isn't brilliant and it struggles to do 40mpg. He's had one or two minor electrical faults with the alarm and stereo system. I don't think its as comfortable as the Mondeo to drive or ride in, and the diesel doesn't go as well as the TDCi in the Mondeo.
A Jag X-Type would be a good choice for you I think. Last time I visited my local Ford dealer (who are pretty good) they were servicing a couple of X types owned by a local firm and were charging the same rates as they do for the Mondeo which are about half the price of the Jag garage and thats certainly the way I'd go if I go for one next time. The 2.0's are silly cheap used and if you're not doing many miles a 2.5 or even 3.0 may prove even cheaper. The Jag is a bit more refined than the Mondeo but retains the excellent handling and dynamics. If the diesels drop in price a bit more I'll certainly be considering one early next year.
|
|
Primera man
I sold on because the noise (both road and wind) were too intrusive, gearchange wasn't brilliant but may have improved, (will never know) the handling would be best described as vague, with over assisted steering and a floaty ride at speed. I like to get some feedback as to what the car is doing on the road - not possible in the 6.
Over and above these points, the comfort was so-so, the quality of the materials used was very average, the seating wasn't particularly comfortable, the air con very noisy but ineffective and ditto for the radio.
In short, there was no way I was going to spend several hrs each day driving one. Depreciation is talked about as being good, but of course, the real value is what someone actually pays. If someone has realised these quoted residuals that is great.
All just personal opinion of course.
|
|
|
|
|
