Mazda 3 1.6 diesel

daaaycent boy

Hi lads, will be upgrading my Focus diesel early in the new year and want something different! 2010/2011/2012 Mazda 3 1.6 diesel hatchback is high up on my list. Reading reviews on it and it seems pretty reliable and very good on juice. Budget would be in and around 20k give or take.

What's in important to me in reliability, fuel ecomony and looks and high spec.

I do an average of 500/650 miles a week.

I would like to hear boardies reviews on this car or other suggestions.

I'm not considering VW, Audi, BMW, SAAB, ALFA.

Daaaycent boy!

MuppetCheck

For that mileage the bigger size of a Mondeo, Mazda 6 or a Skoda Superb might be more comfortable.

daaaycent boy

MuppetCheck wrote: »

For that mileage the bigger size of a Mondeo, Mazda 6 or a Skoda Superb might be more comfortable.

I've no requirement for a big car like the ones you have quoted. Plenty of comfort in a hatchback for me. Thanks boy.

bazz26

If your Focus is a MkII 1.6 TDCi then the Mazda 3 is basically the same car. The Focus and 3 also share the same 1.6 TDCi engine which is co-produced with Peugeot/Citroen.

daaaycent boy

bazz26 wrote: »

If your Focus is a MkII 1.6 TDCi then the Mazda 3 is basically the same car. The Focus and 3 also share the same 1.6 TDCi engine which is co-produced with Peugeot/Citroen.

I have a Mk1.5 1.8 TDCi. I was reading that they have the same engine, the PSA HDi engine? Was half looking at the Citroën DS4 too.

Tabnabs

Keep your car for a bit longer and buy the very tasty new Volvo V40 once it reaches the SH market.

daaaycent boy

Tabnabs wrote: »

Keep your car for a bit longer and buy the very tasty new Volvo V40 once it reaches the SH market.

That new Volvo V40 is tasty especially the R Design, too expensive for me.

Tea 1000

I'd be looking for a 2.2 diesel Mazda 3 out of the UK in 2010 era quicker than a 2012 1.6 diesel. That'd be a nice car.

daaaycent boy

Tea 1000 wrote: »

I'd be looking for a 2.2 diesel Mazda 3 out of the UK in 2010 era quicker than a 2012 1.6 diesel. That'd be a nice car.

The 1.6 115 bhp is grand for me, tax and insurance will be easier on the pocket too!

daaaycent boy

Looking at the Renault Megane GT Line and it's getting good reviews on the net!

Anyone own one on here?

Bpmull

Skoda octavia smaller than the suberb it's a hatchback elegance spec has all the extras for 20k you would easily get a 2012 demo. The 1.6tdi 105bhp is grand for the car it doesn't feel underpowered. My mother gets 53-55mpg out of hers tipping around and she does not drive it easy by any means.

ltdslipdiff

Megane GT is a great spec, especially the earlier ones with integrated sat nav. Try find the 110bhp 6 speed, majority sold were 90bhp 5 speed, a little underpowered for longer journeys. Some will also have the 5 year extended warranty. Handle very well and well put together and without doubt the best looking Megane in years in any guise (I do like the Grand Megane). Reliability is fine and nice long service intervals if you can watch 30,000 klms go between services !

ltdslipdiff

Bit of a wild card, but what about an SVE Qashqai with the (new) 1.6 dCi 130bhp start/stop? Should be a few knocking around in the new year?

daaaycent boy

ltdslipdiff wrote: »

Bit of a wild card, but what about an SVE Qashqai with the (new) 1.6 dCi 130bhp start/stop? Should be a few knocking around in the new year?

Don't think I'd fancy one of them, I'm keen on the Megane, might look around a few dealers and test drive a few. Thanks.

patrickc

the wife has a 1.6 2011 mazda 3, she has 65,000k on it now and ive driven it a good bit. its good on economy if driven right, this week at 100kph average speed over 800k shes averaged 57mpg.

i think the car has plenty of poke tbh, its grand for what the average driver needs.

its small enough inside, if i drive it im 6ft2 only a small child can sit behind me.

2 problems with it so far, the air con needed regassed within the year, and the timing belt had to be replaced as a pully was wrong on it but both were covered under warranty.
overall its a comfortable car, hers is the executive model plenty of spec but no front fogs on it.

bazz26

OP, I know you said in your original post that you would not consider one of these but seriously I would reconsider if I were you:


http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Alfa-Romeo/Giulietta/GUILIETTA-1.6/32013546126650030/

bazz26

These are also within budget:

Hyundai i30:


http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Hyundai/i30/1.4-D/31813540126114680/

Opel Astra:

http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Opel/Astra/SRI-1.7/30213473740531710/

daaaycent boy

bazz26 wrote: »

OP, I know you said in your original post that you would not consider one of these but seriously I would reconsider if I were you:


http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Alfa-Romeo/Giulietta/GUILIETTA-1.6/32013546126650030/

Cheers Bazz but not my thing, the front of it is cat!

daaaycent boy

bazz26 wrote: »

These are also within budget:

Hyundai i30:


http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Hyundai/i30/1.4-D/31813540126114680/

Opel Astra:

http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Opel/Astra/SRI-1.7/30213473740531710/

I do like these two, I've driven the Astra before and it wasn't too of a drive. Will try and test drive the Hyundai at the weekend.

hago123

Hi Daaaycent boy,

I saw your post about buying Mazda 3. Did you buy one?
I am looking at a 2008 Mazda 3 1.6 Diesel. How are they overall?
Any info will be helpful.
Thanks
hago

colm_mcm

The OP hasn’t posted since 2012