Refine by channel:  Forum (2425)    Ask HJ (1847)    News (851)    Article (28)    Reviews (25)    Good Garages (24)    Classics Reviews (11)    FAQs (4)    productReview (1)    Van Reviews (1)  

Sort by: Relevance | Newest first | Oldest first

• Family Estate - Used estate for 2-3k 16 Apr 2014 (Forum)
  Having done some research,  I narrowed it down the following (although I'm open to suggestions): VW Passat Skoda Octavia Mazda 6 Toyota Avensis Honda Accord (although I think my budget would be tight)? As well as car suggestion(s),  I'd be grateful if anyone could advise as to what maximum mileage on a car I should cap my search at.
• Honda Civic - Any thoughts on these auto hatches? 23 May 2013 (Forum)
  I keep changing my mind but i think I've narrowed it down to the below, does anyone have experience of these cars? Are there any obvious contenders I've missed? 09/10 Honda Civic 1.8 (not the I-shift) 09/10 Mazda 3 2.0 TS2 09/10 Renault Megane 2.0 CVT (like the look of the coupe) The Megane comes in at the bottom end of the budget but the other 2 will probably hold their value more when it comes to selling, the Renault / Nissan CVT seems quite reliable but is it any good to drive?
• Toyota Corolla, Honda Accord, Totyota Avensis - Corrolla, Avensis or Accord? 1 Feb 2013 (Forum)
    After plenty of research both on here and on Reliabilty Index, I've pretty much narrowed down to either a Corolla, an Avensis or an Accord with the Mazda 6 as possibly a wild card. Until I move house, it will be doing around 500 miles per week, but after that will be pretty much limited to short journeys with only 1 or 2 longer 'thrashes' a month, which possibly rules out a diesel, (unless anyone can advise otherwise?)
• Autotrader idiots and morons - prices 31 Jan 2012 (Forum)
  Mazda Mazda6 2.0L TS2 5dr Hatchback £999 2002 (52 reg), Hatchback Trade seller , distance: 166 miles 56,562 miles Manual 2.0L Petrol undecided - Out of the market for years 29 Jun 2011 (Forum)
  Most of our miles, 5k a yr, will be A & B roads in sunny Cornwall with the very occasional moptorway blast. We intend to buy a small sports conv for fun in the sun, maybe a MGB/Vitesse, (def NOT a mazda). Are undecided and a tad confused with the diesel/petrol issue.  Looking at medium sized cars. Had a golf td yrs ago, a celica yrs ago and various crap escort company cars. Appreciatte all and any answers. ps we aint old!
• you decide - estate or mpv or van? 3 Nov 2010 (Forum)
    I travel about 5000 miles a year, surf as much as possible (maybe twice a week, boards I use are 7'3" upto 9'4"), and cut grass/tend gardens for family members which means I am constantly putting the seats down/going to the tip/moving something/standing half clothed in a car park.  Caravelle or Mercedes V class obvious choices as well as Mazda Bongo but I have managed with an estate so far but would like something more flexible.  Basically, have I missed any obvious choices (berlingo etc) Answers on a postcard. Cheers  Patrice
• Toyota Avensis (2003 - 2008) - 2007 1.8 - Spongy brakes 20 Dec 2008 (Forum)
  Was a demonstrator with just 5.5k miles. Braking requires a very firm foot, significantly more than my previous Mazda 323 almost as if the servo has gone AWOL. Can be quite disconcerting to gently press the pedal in slow traffic and nothing happens. I've tested an emergency stop and it seems to be okay. Brake fluid level is where it should be.
• Subaru Legacy and Outback Petrol (2004 - 2009) - Is this a good deal? 22 Jul 2008 (Forum)
  Front bumper panel gap a bit big on one side if I'm being picky. Dealer offers me £300 fo my 99T Mazda 323 (85k miles), which has FSH and one previous owner but tatty bodywork, including badly rusted rear arch. Dealer said he would throw in a service, MOT, 12 month Subaru warranty, and replace the tyre.
• Almera and Kia Rio 17 Dec 2006 (Forum)
  Also they might be prone to brake calipers seizing, especially the rear ones (rear discs?). I remember some earlier Kias were based on Mazda engines but elsewhere it is mentioned that the Magentis uses Mitsubishi mechanics - either is good news. Overall they seem good value and simple enough to maintain long term rather than risk a diesel and complicated breakdowns.
• Cars appearance and MOTs 6 Jul 2006 (Forum)
  Im wondering if the general apperance of a car can affect the way the tester approaches the car. My old Mazda is pretty tatty as cars go. It has scratches, fair sized dent on front wing, lots of surface rust, a badly dented front valance, a dent in the sill, a scrape on the rear wheel arch and there is plenty of untidy paint in general.
• Vauxhall Commitment?? 19 Feb 2006 (Forum)
  Can anyone recommend the best manufacturer is now for looking after you when things go wrong? I had got a list of in order Astra Diesel or 1.6 Club spec 5 door H/b or estate Mazda 3 1.6TS Ford Focus 1.6 H/b petrol or Diesel. Thanks in advance Barry
• VW Polo 1.6CL 1999 T reg 11 May 2005 (Forum)
  Are there any really good reliable 2nd hand car makes for around £4k - £5k anyone can recommend eg a Ford focus / Mazda 323F. Thanks
• Best and worst cars for resale value. 3 Feb 2005 (Forum)
  Top 6 cars: BMW 116 SE 49% MB C180 SE 49% MINI Cooper 50% VW New Beetle 54% Jaguar X type 2.0 V6 55% Mazda 2 1.4 Antares 55% Bottom 6: Perodua Kenari 77% Suzuki Alto 1.1 GL 76% Perodua Kelisa GXi 1.0 76% Nissan Primera 74% Kia Magentis 74% Hyundai Accent 1.3CDX 74% I am not in the market for any of these cars, but that Nissan Primera looks an excellent buy at 3 years old.
• How low can they go? 9 Jan 2003 (Forum)
  Having just sold our 1993 - 'k' reg Mazda 323 (full service history, full mot only £65k miles -ok, naff repair on dented front wing and crack in headlamp unit)after 3 months of trying.Advertised at £675, got £600...... I thought I could reax and enjoy the deal I got last September on its' replacement - a new Saychento for a whisker under £5k.
• US Survey: 4-5 year old used cars 7 Dec 2001 (Forum)
  Mercedes-Benz 296 Listed as below average in long-term dependability are, in alphabetical order: Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Eagle, GMC, Hyundai, Isuzu, Jeep, Kia, Land Rover, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Plymouth, Pontiac, Suzuki, Volvo and Volkswagen.
• Valve Probs 24 Aug 2001 (Forum)
  I asked the my local independent garage what could be causing it, they scratched their heads and said it could be any number of things. I thought it could be the plugs, as I use NGK and not the mazda ones. I was going to try them at the next service. Yesterday I gave a friend of mine a lift in it, and he immediately asked is it meant to do that? I said no. He replied that his mondeo used to do that, and it was something to do with the valves (probably a bit sticky) and it was an expensive head off job.
• Mazda 5: brief impressions 24 Jul 2007 (Forum)
  This morning, it being the school holidays and me being in charge of the two little Beests, it seemed like a good opportunity to see if the Mazda 5 (or Mazda5 if you must) lives up to its on-paper promise. I have to say I still don't really know. It was one of those what's-the-point test drives where the salesman drove too fast for ten minutes, waffled a bit about grip and body roll (it does seem to have useful amounts of one and not too much of the other), then let me drive back to the showroom on a route that consisted mostly of two miles of straight, wide 30mph road and about three of 70mph dual carriageway.
• All - Three Cylinder Engines 31 Jan 2025 (Forum)
  We are looking to replace our current 10 year old Mazda 2. We recently test drove a Hyundai Bayon at a main dealer. Ten months old with 2k on the clock. It looked a nice car, perfect for the wife. However we were very surprised about the noise of the engine.
• Newer car advice 5 May 2023 (Forum)
  It's got to be petrol as I mainly do short journeys, have a large load area as sometimes I carry a big rotovator or camping equipment and my budget is about £6k to 7k Choices so far  Mazda 5. This is favourite but trying to find one that's newer than 2009 within a reasonable distance from Gloucester is very difficult. Renault Kangoo 1.6. Again trying to find one that isn't wheelchair accessible near to Gloucester is difficult.
• More advice from the experts 11 Aug 2021 (Forum)
  You were all so helpful when I asked about getting a car on finance for my daughter that she has decided to pay up to £5k which she saved for a used car rather than any sort of finance so thanks to everyone   She has taken a brief look and has narrowed down to the following..in order of what she really likes ( and before you maybe laugh she likes the Dacia and very low insurance/ tax for her and good MPG )  1. Dacia Sandero Stepway 0.9 ( 90BHP )  - 2014/2015 reg  around £4800 2. Mazda 2 1.5  - 2010/11 reg , around £3000 3. Toyota Corolla 1.6 VVTi T3 - 2005/2006 around £2000 4. Citroen DS3 1.6 VTi - 2010/2011 around £3000 5. Ford Fiesta 1.6 Zetec - 2011 around £3500 6.