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• All models - Are Volkswagens as good as they used to be. 10 Mar 2017 (Forum)
  A recent look at some possible next cars tells me that things have moved on over the last few years and other makes have cought up. Mazda 6 estate and Toyota Avensis estate are both very well made cars with quality marerials and a lot less evidence of being built down to a price. Add to that the last 3 VWs have had more problems than the first nine added together.
• How low can you go? 26 Sep 2016 (Forum)
  Currently I've an X plated Ford Cougar, bought for £300 and in great order but a bit greedy that passed an Mot needing just a set of pads and today I'm picking up an 05 Mazda 3 I got for nothing with 11mths mot. Motoring can be done on a tiny budget assuming you've a little mechanical know how and not a care about style. Once a car becomes unfashionable they're next to worthless.
• VW Polo - Polo 1.2 60 - underpowered or acceptable 22 Apr 2014 (Forum)
  Not only does that seem roomier (a big consideration as I need to transport stuff around) but the engines seem more modern, powerful and efficient. My right foot says that a Mazda 2 would be an even more fun proposition to drive, albeit less space and not as well specced...
• any - car transporters 13 Oct 2013 (Forum)
  He used to deliver them down to the south of England so I assume it was a one drop at the port, and sometimes bring back Mazda cars as a return load but where he delivered those to I can’t imagine. He did this job for a few years and has since been on fuel tankers which was a blessing in comparison.
• Skoda Octavia 1.2 TSi S - Replacing my Mondeo 1 Aug 2013 (Forum)
  Would a 1.6  version of the 2009-11 Modeos give similar performance? Also  considering Mazda 6 1.8 petrol and  Octavia 1.2tsi.  Comparing my old Mondeo side by side with a 2012 Octavia hatch I was suprised to find the Octavia boot a similar length and slightly wider between the wheel arches in the boot.
• VW Passat 1.9 TDI Estate 11 Nov 2012 (Forum)
  I have been in a couple of golfs with the same engine, and although quite loud at cold idle, both seemed quite quiet on the move, and with a fair bit of pull too! My other options were the Mondeo 2.0 TDCI and the Mazda 2.2D, but from what I have researched, there is definitely more of a majority in saying the VAG 1.9 is probably the pick of the bunch reliability-wise (and less oil-thirsty too!) Thanks for your views!
• Potentially 1 of about 7 makes - best used diesel estate for 4-5k??? 16 Jan 2011 (Forum)
  All potential buys are approx 4 to 6 years old Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi 115 or 130 hp estate (LX, Zetec, Edge, whatever....) Honda Accord 2.2 CDTi estate (difficult to find for my budget) Mazda 6 2.0 121 or 136 hp (TS, TS2, whatever...) Skoda Octavia Estate 1.9 TDi 105 hp (either pre or post facelift) (Classic, Ambience, whatever...) Toyota Avensis D4-D Estate 121hp Vauxhall Vectra CDTi 1.9  120 or 150 hp estate (Club, Elite, whatever.....)
• Audi A3 - Audi A3 1.8T AGU violent judder/lurch under accele 22 Sep 2010 (Forum)
  Hi guys, I have Another problem with my Audi A3. Its a 1.8T AGU Engine with 102,000 miles on the clock. Its hard to explain but it every so often when...
• Audi A3 - Audi A3 problem 24 Jun 2010 (Forum)
  have a 99 Audi A3 1.8T petrol (AGU engine) the car has just done 100,000 miles I have recently been having an intermittent problem. I can be driving...
• Nissan Almera replacement 18 May 2010 (Forum)
  My choices would be a Citroen C3 HDI- a friend has one and says it does 65 mpg and the road tax is only £ 35- a new shape Skoda Fabia TDi, which has all the attributes of the Citroen but is possibly better made, or a Seat Ibiza, which I have owned before and was largely reliable.  Also on my list would be a Mazda 3, SEAT Leon, Kia Rio( which I've heard are excellent value and have a long warranty), Honda Jazz, Vauxhall Astra, or Peugeot 207. I am planning on spending about 7k before trade in so what would you chaps recommend I go for?
• Citroen Xantia (1993 - 2000) - 98 1.9 loss of power when towing or going up hill 30 Dec 2009 (Forum)
  pls help i think my xantia should be pulling and towing better than what it is at the moment. its an estate 1.9 turbo diesel,120.000 miles on the clock and in the time ive owned its been serviced,timing belt and auxillary belt been done too.i dont abuse it and like to keep ontop with maintenance ect. last night i was asked to tow my fathers mazda to his house(flat battery) about a 2 mile journey and my xantia seemed to stuggle to me?could only get into 3rd and 30 mph. i know these cars are renowned for towing caravans etc so was a little worried?
• Volvo V70/XC70 (2000 - 2007) - Sanity check 22 Aug 2009 (Forum)
  Due to illness, my better half is unlikely to be able to drive again. We currently have a 55 Citroen C4 Coupe and an 04 Mazda MX5. We bought an 08 Dog and as he's getting bigger he's getting too big for the boot of the c4. There's comedy value in having him sat next to me in the MX5 but that leaves my good lady at home.
• Private sale test drives.... 24 Jan 2007 (Forum)
  Heres my list so far: Vauxhall Astra van, 105k £800 - Never left the driveway Jaguar XJ6, 154k £1200 - Never left the driveway Reliant Rialto, 86k £535 - Never left the driveway Nissan Micra auto, 75k £375 - Never left the driveway MGF VVC, 26k £5250 - Let me drive him, never drove it himself Mazda 323, 71k £275 - Let me drive him, never drove it himself Ford Escort saloon, 73k £750 - Never left the driveway Toyota Yaris Verso, 33k £4500 - Never left the driveway Vauxhall Corsa Sport, 56k £2500 - Never left the driveway Volvo 460, 34k £700 - Let me drive him, never drove it himself Daewoo Nubira, 35k £3000 - Did have a test drive!
• Buying a car seems to be difficult 4 Jul 2020 (Forum)
  Now that the Corolla is off the list its back to the XC40 but before that I decided to scan WhatCar and see what other estates might tempt me. None to be honest, Audi, Ford, Hyundai, Kia, Vauxhall, Peugeot, Mazda etc something was unavailable on all of them or the prices were daft. But the VW Passat in 2.0 TSi SEL spec seemed to tick all the boxes. Only option needed was to upgrade from A/C to climate and add a spare wheel (£160 for a matching alloy with proper sized tyre).
• I need your help about car selection 7 Dec 2018 (Forum)
    In the end, I found 2-3 options to buy; Toyota Avensis T3, 2004, 109K miles, 1.8 petrol (700 pounds) Toyota Avensis T2, 2005, 130K miles, 1.8 petrol (500 pounds) Mazda 6 TS, 2007, 73K miles, 2.0 diesel (900 pounds) Renault Megane, 2006, 82K miles, 1.6 petrol (750 pounds) Note: All options has about 300 days MOT. I think first option (Avensis T3, 109K miles) is very suitable for me.
• Hyundai ioniq - New Car & Automatic Transmission. 18 Mar 2018 (Forum)
  This brings me on to my questions, many people have told me that once you drive an automatic, you will never go back to a manual, I must admit, when my i40 was having its clutch replaced I was given a Mazda 3 automatic for a week, as it was the only car available. I thought it was very easy and relaxing to drive with an auto box. Much more so than using a manual with all the miles I drive. So why haven't autos become the normal choice here in the UK as they have in other countries Like the USA ?
• Looking for cheap reliable Japanese car for my gf 14 Jan 2018 (Forum)
    Also the old shape civic 01-05 looks good but I have seen that the gearbox input shaft bearing cab be an expensive fix on these.  Does anyone have any experience of a Suzuki swift or Mazda 2/3? What sort of mileage can you expect to get a car which only needs routine maintenance? I know cars will go on 150k even 200k but if we've just bought it would rather get at some use out of it before having to get more major work done.
• Larger Estate - Another Petrol v Diesel question! - with specifics 9 Feb 2015 (Forum)
  I am afraid I am reingniting the age old debate of Petrol vs Diesel, although I'm providing a specific set of circumstances to try and aid in the decision-making prcoes.s I'm sure the 'use the b***** search function' brigade will be cursing me now, however I have done a fair bit of research already, but I'm still finding a lot of conflicting opinions which are ultimately making it difficult making the choice, based on my specific set of circumstances.   These are : - I need a larger estate e.g Passat, Octavia, Mondeo, Mazda 6 - I have about £4700 - The car will be used primarily for a 9 mile motorway trip to the airport and back for work (18 mile total), approx 15 times a month(working a 4 on 4 off shift pattern) and some occasional urban driving on my days off (short distances).
• Reports of my rental car (again) 28 Mar 2013 (Forum)
   I usually travel with my family (so five of us with three growing children) and over the years we have rented something as large as a Kia Sedona to something as small as a Mazda 2 and we have all fitted in with greater or lesser amounts of luggage.  My last trip was solo (to our holiday apartment) so I had a Peugeot 107. We are back again and this time its a brand new Astra.
• Naming and shaming policy - PLEASE READ 22 Aug 2012 (Forum)
  “Arnold Clark wouldn’t offer me a discount”). A genuinely held opinion may be expressed as such (e.g. “I’ve always found Mazda diesels to be unreliable”) but would need to be capable of substantiation. A criticism about a particular vehicle, car dealer or insurance company needs to be justified: there should be a reasonable basis on which the criticism is made and therefore capable of being justified.