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• Gruff sounding engines 6 Apr 2016 (Forum)
  However, the engine sounded gruff, it was the same story on a Vauxhall Insignia 1.6? (2012).  On a Mazda 1.8 (2012), when I reved up the engine, the car seat would vibrate. All were petrol engines. I also sat in a Mercedes C180 2012, and when I hit the gas, I could feel the exhaust and vibration in the cabin.
• any - best 7 seater for under £1,000 3 Sep 2015 (Forum)
  She is considering a Mitsubishi Shogun/Pajero - all the ones I have looked at look like time they are disasters in the making - ancient diesels, complex, with auto gearboxes waiting to go wrong. I have suggested the Mazda MPV - a 2000 year car can be had in budget. It has the 2 litre petrol engine - a far better bet IMO - although poor MPG nd may struggle up the hills 7 up Others that spring to mind are the Fiat Doble - easy to fix in Italy - not many 7 searters in budget.
• Citroen Jumpy, Peugeot Despatch, Fiat Scudo - What is a reasonable mileage for a van based MPV? 18 Apr 2015 (Forum)
  Hello, Well as the Dacia plan did not work (part self employed and new rules for financing) we are now saving up for a used MPV. Seeing plenty of the S-Max/5008/Mazda 5 around (all in the same ball park pricewise but most going over 100,000 miles) but maybe considering a larger van based MPV for business use as well as a family bus. Had a Jumpy as an interim emergency hire car last year and was not too bad really, pretty car like just brand new and everything was a little stiff and BIG!
• Various - Help me choose! 25 Apr 2014 (Forum)
  Nissan Qashqai 1.2 DIG-T 115 ps manual with 3 yrs warranty 2. Ford Focus 1.0 Ecoboost 125 PS manual with 5 yrs warranty 3. Mazda 3 2.0 120 PS automatic with 5 yrs warranty 4. Seat Leon 1.4 TSi 122 PS manual with 5 yrs warranty 5. VW Golf 1.4 TSi 122 PS manual with 5 yrs warranty   For the sake of simplicity we'll assume that all cars have the same extras and cost the same.
• Skoda Roomster - Telegraph HJ Car Advice - Skoda Roomster 30 May 2013 (Forum)
  I just read the latest HJ Q&A on his advice collumn in the Telegraph online: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/caradvice/honestjohn/10084676/Unlocking-a-Skoda-Roomster-with-problem-doors.html ...and it rather worries me that this door locking fault appears to be a long-standing (20+ years on VAG cars) problem across the entire VAG range.  I've started to look for a replacement for my Mazda 3, and was generally impressed by the new SEAT Leon (both guises), but am still put off VAG/German cars generally by the long list of similar long-standing faults compared to the best (in terms of build quality/reliability) that Japan has to offer.
• Ibiza - Fiesta or Ibiza? Any recs? 30 Jun 2010 (Forum)
    Had a couple of the old style Corsas as loan cars and they were hideously underpowered even the 1.4. Will not consider anything by Mazda or Renault.
• Audi A3 + S3 (2003 - 2008) - A3, A4 or Honda Civic 18 Dec 2009 (Forum)
  I haven't tried the A4 yet though someone suggested looking at it as they had driven it, liked it and are of similar price to the A3. Other possible options I'll look at this week are the Mazda M3 and Golf diesels but am happy to shop around though I need something by Jan 4! As someone who knows very little about cars, I want something fuel efficient and reliable most importantly, but obviously something I enjoy driving too.
• Nissan Primera II (1996 - 1999) - primera buying advice/help 5 Oct 2009 (Forum)
  posted last week regarding buying a mazda 626 , found out quite a bit about them from replies on here, got a primera recommendation from a user and have looked in to it , i have now decided it ticks almost all the boxes reliability/size etc what i need to know is apart from timing chains being noisey is there anything else on the engine i should listen/look out for insurance quotes for a 2.0 are too expensive (1100 3pf&t with 3 years no claims) is the 1.8 sluggish and thirsty as this is a bit cheaper to insure are body rust on tailgate and rear arches the only common places do the wing mirrors fold (i know it sounds strange to ask but i have had my wing mirror kicked off 4 times were i live,seems its the local scroates favourite pass time) can anyone give me some advice as i need to sort out a replacement car asap thanks
• New (used) car choice to replace Mini Cooper 8 Dec 2008 (Forum)
  I'm 6ft 2in, and all my cars previous to the mini have been big(ish) saloons, so I'm looking at a Ford Mondeo 2.0 Zetec, Mazda 6 2.0 TS2 (last shape) or possibly a Honda Accord 2.0 EX (last shape). I've seen that I can get an 08 Mondeo with ~3000 miles on the clock for £10,500. UK sourced car etc. I can't find a better deal than that right now, so I think that may be the one to go for.
• Estates or 4X4 boot sizes - help 29 Feb 2008 (Forum)
  I have a dog crate to fit in the boot and while I know it will have to be altered to fit in the back of a different model, I don't want to lose too much space for the dogs. I've tried a Mondeo, Accord and Mazda 6 - all have bigger bootsby total volume, but the crate will not fit in any because either the roof is too low or there are wheel arches in the way limiting the minimum width or, in the Mondeo's case, the boot curves to the tailgate, meaning the opening is narrower than the Focus - so the crate's maximum width will have to be reduced to get it past the curvature.
• Automatic car for newly disabled wife 4 Mar 2007 (Forum)
  My wife has developed a chronic sciatica problem overnight and even through it is on the mend she has been told she will have impared mobility in her left leg for a long time so changing gear in her current car will be impossible. She has a Mazda 6 manual at the moment, is struggling to get in and can't press the clutch. We need an urgent change of car to get an automatic which she can drive. Any suggestions of a reliable medium sized car which would be suitable.
• a cunning plan? 13 Jun 2006 (Forum)
  So, question 1: Shortlist for £1k bangers: volvo 850, v40, 940, toyota carina E, honda accord, nissan almera, primera, QX, mazda 626, MB old E class. Sound ok? Other suggestions? Chances of the AC working in cars this age? Question 2: will sporty japs be much cheaper in oct/nov? Will there be any about? Question 3: is there a downside at this price (£2500) to a Eunos v UK MX5- I think it will have to be a Eunos, as she wants AC.
• Help with buying Car Please 11 Oct 2004 (Forum)
  Is it possible to get a decent looking car that would suit famly use at this price? I am totally clueless about cars. We had a Mazda 626 and whilst I liked it I did find it very boring to drive. I did think about a 323 fastback? What are they like and could I pick one up at that price? Any other suggestions. For reliability am I best buying from a dealer or a private sale?
• Removing cat convertor 31 Dec 2003 (Forum)
  I don't want to gut the cat (sounds painful) as I might want to re-fit it later when emissions are tested. So, any thoughts on the exhaust note - will it change and sound like a boy-racers souped up Mazda pocket rocket? Do I need a resonator? - This sounds expensive, currently the job will cost me NZ$70. TIA
• Tidings of comfort & joy - advice please 29 Dec 2002 (Forum)
  Got a call from shocked young son who had had a minor rear end shunt at 8.00pm last night. He had gently nudged into the back of a G reg 12 yr old knackered Mazda - his fault. The wife's Focus he was driving had a couple of scratches but no damage. He says he says he shoved her rear-bumper/skirt in slightly. I'm seeing it this pm. Plod called, son breath tested - no problem.
• latest NCAP safety results 1 Jul 2002 (Forum)
  Latest results: Mercedes C-class 5 stars Off roaders Honda C-RV 4 stars Range Rover 4 stars Jeep Cherokee 3 stars Opel Frontera 3 stars More follows Sports cars Mazda MX5 4 stars Mercedes SLK 4 stars Honda S2000 4 stars Super-minis Audi A2 4 stars BMW Mini 4 stars Opel Corsa 4 stars VW Polo 4 stars Family cars Ford Mondeo 4 stars Jaguar X-type 4 stars Opel Vectra 4 stars Peugeot 607 4 stars Proton Impian 3 stars Full details of Euro NCAP?
• Automatic Family Car 21 Apr 2024 (Forum)
  Realistically I don't want to spend more than 15k, especially with the baby guaranteed to up costs. I've looked at a few cars and the winning options so far are the Skoda Superb and Mazda 6 estate, although finding the latter in a petrol-automatic spec in budget is like a needle in a haystack. I'm hoping for some alternative options that maybe I haven't considered, I'm very open to new suggestions if they sound like a good idea!
• Ford Focus - Ford Focus 1.6 - or others for £3000? 6 Jun 2021 (Forum)
  We would like to have some degree of reliability (as much as possible for the age with regular checks and maintenance), so we focused on these cars:  Ford Focus 1.6 and 1.8 Toyota Yaris 1.3  We considered Toyota Avensis Estate but I am not sure if we can get one for £3000   We considered Mazda 3 but I haven't tested if it works with the dogs space-wise The dogs will stay in the car sometimes (with aluminet, fans, temperature control, etc.) so air conditioning is a plus.  Are there any other models that we should be considering?
• Toyota Avensis - Need a petrol auto 21 Jun 2020 (Forum)
  I need a largish car as I have 4 children and all their assorted clobber can easily fill the boot of the Passat. I saw a nice Mazda 3 locally but it was sold before I could even look at it. Citroen C4 cactus may fit the bill. Are the 1.2 engines reliable? Any input appreciated
• LPG - why is it still so niche? 20 Jan 2020 (Forum)
    This LPG stuff has been cheap and available for what, two decades now. If I go into Ford, VW, Honda, wherever, no one can sell me a new LPG car. Only Mazda offer LPG as a fitted, warrantied option on the 3 and the 6.  So one has to source a suitable used vehicle, and get it converted. In essence straightforward, but hardly convenient.  In summary: Manufacturers are struggling to sell cars in volume.