05/06 Mondeo or Mazda 6 ??

2010 G

Just curious which are do you think is better ? Nicer to drive and is one more economical than the other if they were both 1.8 petrols.

bazz26

I would put both cars on an even par to be honest. The motoring press generally sing the praises of the Mondeo and how it drives but the 6 is just as good in this department.

If going for a 05 Mazda 6 then take note that the car got a mild facelift that year which include some improvements, most noticeable thing is the headlights got a darker tinted lense, new front bumper and improved interior trim. Petrol models are very reliable but spare parts are not as common as Fords and tend to be expensive.

If going for a Mondeo of similar vintage then again the Mondeo got a makeover towards the end of 2005. The biggest difference being the rear light cluster. Try and find a Platinum model which added cruise control, etc over the Zetec model it replaced. Avoid LX or Steel models as they had a less powerful 1.8 litre engine with only 110bhp. Zetec and Platinum had the 125bhp engine.

dolby

Mondeo everytime, great car all round, think the mazda 6 has the same engine as the mondeo, all G.M.

Re-sale value will not be there so consider a large loss if selling in 2/3years, but if I had to pick from having time driving both, Mondeo is a pure workhorse..

ianobrien

dolby wrote: »

think the mazda 6 has the same engine as the mondeo, all G.M.

Are you saying that the engines in the Ford Mondeo and the Mazda 6 are from the General Motors stable? Now that's so wrong it's funny.....

OP, basically, the Mazda 6 and the Mondeo are the same car. Mazda use their own diesel engines (and the bearing issue was discussed here). They share petrol engines. They have different suspension settings to give them different "characteristics" but the basics car is the same.

Having driven the Mazda and the Mondeo, they feel much the same, have similar room so for me, it would come down to car condition, price and service history.

bazz26

While Ford own a stake in Mazda and the 6 platform has been used by Ford in North America for some of their models, the 6 shares nothing with the Mondeo sold in Europe.

ianobrien

bazz26 wrote: »

While Ford own a stake in Mazda and the 6 platform has been used by Ford in North America for some of their models, the 6 shares nothing with the Mondeo sold in Europe.

They share petrol engines, and the structure is the same. They have different body panels and interior (so that they can "look different"), but I've seen some parts from a Mazda 6 with the FoMoCo and Mazda badge on, headlight motors and such like.

MidlandsM

dolby wrote: »

Mondeo everytime, great car all round, think the mazda 6 has the same engine as the mondeo, all G.M.

This is so wrong.
Your credibility is SHOT!

bazz26

Wikipedia says differently, two different platforms:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Ford_platforms

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_G_platform

Henry Ford III

bazz26 wrote: »

Wikipedia says differently, two different platforms:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Ford_platforms

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_G_platform

Yep. Wiki is spot on.

Tea 1000

I'd go for the Mazda. It's got a slightly bigger boot, and feels a bit more spacious inside, I hate Ford interiors and while the Mondeo is actually good by Ford standards, it's still a little dull. (Mazda's interior isn't award winning either, but no contest in my opinion). The handling differences are small, there are differences in the front suspension, the rear independent suspension are the same on both apparently. However, and it's a big however, the seating position in both the Mondeo and the Focus is so shyte that it works some way to negate the enjoyment of the handling competence in both cars. So much so, that if there was no other reason I'd go with the Mazda for that alone. Far better seating position.
The Ford would have slightly better feedback in the steering, but it's not vast.
At the end of the day buy on condition, history and price and either one will be a good car, but personally I'd just hold out for a Mazda for the reasons above.

2010 G

Does the Mazda have a belt or a chain ? I know the Mondeo runs on a chain.

MidlandsM

Henry Ford III wrote: »

Yep. Wiki is spot on.

sure, its always 100%...lol;)

2010 G

2010 G wrote: »

Does the Mazda have a belt or a chain ? I know the Mondeo runs on a chain.

?

gerardk55

The Mazda has a timing chain. AFAIK the 1.8 petrol is mazda's own engine. I have an a pre facelift 05 Mazda 6 H/B. Reliability is excellent. I have covered close to 150k miles and hasn't let me down once. Very comfortable car compared with the previous vectra. Go for the touring or sports touring spec, plenty of extras.

Only downside to the car is the road noise, which I believe was improved on the facelifted model.

I've only ever drive Mondeo's for short periods abroad, but they're a good car if not a bit dull.

2010 G

When would the belt on the mazda 6 need changing?

gerardk55

From my understanding, as it's a chain it doesn't require changing but needs to be checked to make sure it isn't loose, AFAIK this is done during servicing.

ianobrien

2010 G wrote: »

When would the belt on the mazda 6 need changing?

As Gerardk55 said, they have a timing chain. Timing chains are "supposed" to last the life of the engine (but not if it's a low mileage Micra or Almera)

The Ford 2.0/2.3/2.5 Duratec engine (as fitted in Mondeo) is actually a Mazda engine (I discovered that when researching an engine swap and was looking for a gearbox. A MX-5 one would fit on no problems). I imagine the 1.8 is the same, but I'm not too sure.

blacksmith105

The Mazda 6 has a chain and not a belt and is supposed to last the lifetime of the car, however this can be damaged if the car is not serviced on a regular basis and with the correct grade of oil as the oil circulates around the chain

Overall petrol 1.8 is a good car if you look after it , the problem is a lot of people cant afford to service them and take short cuts such as buying engine oil from LIDL and TESCO Petrol which will destroy any engine

langdang

blacksmith105 wrote: »

the problem is a lot of people cant afford to service them

Can't afford to, or are too bloody tight to? Or just don't bother haha;)

I'm interested, Mazda 6 estate is on my list of potential next cars - mazda had a reputation back along for being more expensive (than a corolla) to fix, but surely once out of warranty the standard service cost isn't going to be any more than a mondeo or an avensis if you go to a good local mechanic?