What all-rounder is better than a Mazda 3 for ~£12k
Discussion
I’m moving and my mileage is going up so I need a boringish ‘do-it-all’ car which won’t be completely depressing.
It needs to go up and down the A23 mostly but it also needs to be able to tow 1,200kg and it also needs to be reasonably engaging to drive when I’m not doing those things.
Needs a good sound system
Wants to be a 5-door.
Would prefer a petrol but might consider a ‘good’ diesel.
Manual.
Nothing Vauxhall or VAG please.
I have identified the Mazda 3 2.0 (Bose) my favourite contender in principle.
I haven’t started test driving yet so I’m looking for other suggestions which will be as good or better to drive?
It needs to go up and down the A23 mostly but it also needs to be able to tow 1,200kg and it also needs to be reasonably engaging to drive when I’m not doing those things.
Needs a good sound system
Wants to be a 5-door.
Would prefer a petrol but might consider a ‘good’ diesel.
Manual.
Nothing Vauxhall or VAG please.
I have identified the Mazda 3 2.0 (Bose) my favourite contender in principle.
I haven’t started test driving yet so I’m looking for other suggestions which will be as good or better to drive?
We've had a MY19 Mazda 3 Sport hatchback for a few years now. It is mainly used by my OH and for short commuting trips. I have G31 for work and longer trips. It has been great in many ways - reliable, well made and under the radar enough. Ours is the 2.0 petrol (120), so not fast at all and not much power / torque in the low / mid rev range - you need to work it harder to access the power. But since it is just a 'normal' car, for us it is perfectly fine. Wouldn't bother with the diesels - they don't have a good reputation.
The main appeal for us was the simplicity and reliabiity of the drivetrain - no turbochargers, no diesel, no auto - just straightforward 4 cyl petrol, manual. Our is the Sport Black trim, but they are well equipped in normal sport spec - folding mirrors, heated seats & wheel, reversing camera, HUD etc.
It's quite happy on a motorway - we average between 35-42mpg depending on driving circumstances.
They do have a short service interval with 7k oil changes.
Bose sound system is nice and powerful enough, though some speakers may rattle in their mountings in the door card.
Quality overall is good, but not at German exec level (obviously), but above Ford, Vaux and the French stuff.
The main appeal for us was the simplicity and reliabiity of the drivetrain - no turbochargers, no diesel, no auto - just straightforward 4 cyl petrol, manual. Our is the Sport Black trim, but they are well equipped in normal sport spec - folding mirrors, heated seats & wheel, reversing camera, HUD etc.
It's quite happy on a motorway - we average between 35-42mpg depending on driving circumstances.
They do have a short service interval with 7k oil changes.
Bose sound system is nice and powerful enough, though some speakers may rattle in their mountings in the door card.
Quality overall is good, but not at German exec level (obviously), but above Ford, Vaux and the French stuff.
The second gen Mazda 3 is a good choice for easy to live with, reliable vanilla motoring. Simple, decent quality and a better drive than you might expect.
Worth seeking out one of the 165bhp ones as the regular 120 petrols are pretty slow. Still no rocket ship but reasonably sprightly. (I believe the low output engines can also be readily mapped, as they are only electronically strangled.).
ETA my sister was in your position recently and came to the conclusion that nothing is better than the 3 for that kind of budget.
Worth seeking out one of the 165bhp ones as the regular 120 petrols are pretty slow. Still no rocket ship but reasonably sprightly. (I believe the low output engines can also be readily mapped, as they are only electronically strangled.).
ETA my sister was in your position recently and came to the conclusion that nothing is better than the 3 for that kind of budget.
It’s good that it’s a popular car on here. Looking forward to trying one. I’d either buy a 160bhp one or get a 120bhp re-mapped.
I had a quick look to see if I could get a Focus, Mondeo, 308 or 508 with a 2.0hdi but nowadays the Ford and Peugeot get 1.5 and 1.6 litre engines.
The other contender I would like to drive is the Focus with the 1.5 ecoboost petrol but there aren’t many about with the B&O system.
trevalvole said:
I've no specific suggestions, but it occurs to me that something with a turbo and its associated low-speed torque might be better at towing 1200kg than a n/a Mazda petrol.
It definitely would. However the rest of the time I’d probably be annoyed by the power delivery. IMO if I were going turbo I might as well go diesel. I had a quick look to see if I could get a Focus, Mondeo, 308 or 508 with a 2.0hdi but nowadays the Ford and Peugeot get 1.5 and 1.6 litre engines.
The other contender I would like to drive is the Focus with the 1.5 ecoboost petrol but there aren’t many about with the B&O system.
Stillstand said:
Bose sound system is nice and powerful enough, though some speakers may rattle in their mountings in the door card.
This is a surprisingly simple fix - fiddly but do-able with basic tools and DIY skills- lots of videos on YouTube. Basically take the door cards off to get at speakers and re-glue the cones with some gel superglue. Mine have held for at least a couple of years now.Stillstand said:
Quality overall is good, but not at German exec level (obviously), but above Ford, Vaux and the French stuff.
Agreed. I think the interior is nicely done.Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff