2010 ISH Mazda 3

Author
Discussion

Roboticarm

Original Poster:

1,500 posts

68 months

Monday 16th September
quotequote all
Moderators; please don't move this to the Mazda section, it's a car buying question and the marque specific sections seem to be where threads go to die.

I'm looking for a cheap ish 5 door car needed for growing family, so looking at options including the Megane which I know a little about the civic which I know well but the Mazda 3 has come onto my radar. Specifically the 1.6

Does anyone know much about them, anything specific to look for if considering buying one etc ?

Thank you

Whataguy

1,033 posts

87 months

Monday 16th September
quotequote all
I'd considered them myself, I think they are reasonable cars but don't really stand out. The performance and fuel economy were pretty average so there wasn't any reason to get one. Apart from the MPS sporty one, but I wanted automatic.

The civic's are more well known, so likely to be easier to source and repair as they sold many more.

ThingsBehindTheSun

1,246 posts

38 months

Monday 16th September
quotequote all
I would have a good look underneath any Mazda 3 of that age to see how rusty it is.

I have a 2011 Megane, I think they are decently put together cars. They don't rust at all and the interiors seem well screwed together and hardwearing. I wouldn't get anything less than Dynamique level trim though, preferably with Tom Tom. The Sat Nav is still usable and the screen is great for USB/Phone integration.

RTaylor2208

189 posts

168 months

Monday 16th September
quotequote all
A couple of people I am friends with have had Mazda 3's of that vintage. They both had petrols and neither had any significant mechanical issues with them, but both of them ended up scraped due to rot.

I'll admit both do not clean their cars very regularly or try and protect them from salt ridden roads in winter, but they did rust spectacularly compared to the equivalent aged similar cars like the Focus, Astra, Meganne etc.

Make sure to inspect well for rust if you like them.

Ratae

293 posts

108 months

Monday 16th September
quotequote all
I had a 2010 2.0 Sport for a year as a daily, decent car but gutless for a 2.0. They drive well, are reliable and usually quite well specced but they rust like buggery so check underneath

Roboticarm

Original Poster:

1,500 posts

68 months

Monday 16th September
quotequote all
Thanks all
Sounds like I need to focus my search on the Megane
Appreciate your input