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Looking at buying a secondhand one as a second car mainly for my or my daughters use.
Never had much experience with Mazda's so I was just wondering peoples experiences with them.
Going to fork out 12-15k so should get something half decent with less than 100k on the clock.

I bought a new Mazda 3 SP23 in 2004 ... has never missed a beat.

The Max is the next model down.

Would highly recommend it.

What the stig said...

Had a 2006 model and it was perfect. Especially if your looking at 1 for a 1st car

from what i've heard there pretty good but can be a bit pricey on parts.

My girlfriend had one. Looked good in black with 17" mags and I loved the exhaust note. Downsides, expensive to service, wore out tyres like you wouldn't believe and I hated the gear change. She traded it for a diesel turbo Fiesta which is a real goer and cheap to run and service.

Being a front wheel drive you need to rotate regularly and make sure pressures are always correct, but OK if you do.

Cheers for the info, I've heard the same about parts. Hmmmm, perhaps I should consider a Focus or Lancer or something else?
Also need advice on if I should get a hatch or sedan, I'm thinking the sedans boot would be good to hide bodies but the hatch would hold an esky better.

I've got a sedan and whilst it's a good size, the boot opening is tight*.

Parts will always be more expensive with a fully imported car.

Cheers!

Wedgie wrote:Cheers for the info, I've heard the same about parts. Hmmmm, perhaps I should consider a Focus or Lancer or something else?
Also need advice on if I should get a hatch or sedan, I'm thinking the sedans boot would be good to hide bodies but the hatch would hold an esky better.

mum had one of the first focus and they where even worse for the price of parts. But in saying that it has been out longer now so the price of them should of come down. It seems though as most small cars are not made here they jack the price up on spares.

Sorry about the error in my prev post. Meant to say Focus instead of Fiesta

Just went for a drive in a new focus sports, very comfortable like most fords tend to be.
Decisions decisions!

Ill give you a run down ony mums focus. Bolts missing front and rear bumpers, front actually came off and had to be replaced. Trans had to be rebuilt within 12months, and when it was getting done there where 4 others with the same issue. All disc and pads had to be replaced in 6 months. Tyre a had to be replaced at the same tim. Air con compressor had to be replaced just outside of warranty, the price was 2,500 just for the part not including labor, ended up going with a second hand one. First we thought it was a lemon but when it went every time there where others there getting things done

kickinit wrote:Ill give you a run down ony mums focus. Bolts missing front and rear bumpers, front actually came off and had to be replaced. Trans had to be rebuilt within 12months, and when it was getting done there where 4 others with the same issue. All disc and pads had to be replaced in 6 months. Tyre a had to be replaced at the same tim. Air con compressor had to be replaced just outside of warranty, the price was 2,500 just for the part not including labor, ended up going with a second hand one. First we thought it was a lemon but when it went every time there where others there getting things done

What year did hers come out? Late 90's?

kickinit wrote:Ill give you a run down ony mums focus. Bolts missing front and rear bumpers, front actually came off and had to be replaced. Trans had to be rebuilt within 12months, and when it was getting done there where 4 others with the same issue. All disc and pads had to be replaced in 6 months. Tyre a had to be replaced at the same tim. Air con compressor had to be replaced just outside of warranty, the price was 2,500 just for the part not including labor, ended up going with a second hand one. First we thought it was a lemon but when it went every time there where others there getting things done

Did you buy new?

My mum has an 04 Focus and never had any of those issues. Drives on open highways at least 3 times per week and regularly on dirt roads.

Only thing I hate about it is the turning indicators are the reverse of every other road car my family own.

Yep brand new first one in Adelaide. She had the 2.0ltr. It was actually the first ford I like to drive, except the indicators. 2ltr had plenty of guts in it and felt very comfortable driving on the open road.

heater31 wrote:

kickinit wrote:Ill give you a run down ony mums focus. Bolts missing front and rear bumpers, front actually came off and had to be replaced. Trans had to be rebuilt within 12months, and when it was getting done there where 4 others with the same issue. All disc and pads had to be replaced in 6 months. Tyre a had to be replaced at the same tim. Air con compressor had to be replaced just outside of warranty, the price was 2,500 just for the part not including labor, ended up going with a second hand one. First we thought it was a lemon but when it went every time there where others there getting things done

Did you buy new?

My mum has an 04 Focus and never had any of those issues. Drives on open highways at least 3 times per week and regularly on dirt roads.

Only thing I hate about it is the turning indicators are the reverse of every other road car my family own.

Yeah I just downgraded from an FG XR6 to a 2007 Focus (previous shape to the current ones) and the indicators got me a few times...shit my pants when the window wipers came on at full pelt as im turning

Definately a downgrade from the big V6, but slowly getting to like it. Main thing is getting used to driving a manual again.

kickinit wrote:Yep brand new first one in Adelaide. She had the 2.0ltr. It was actually the first ford I like to drive, except the indicators. 2ltr had plenty of guts in it and felt very comfortable driving on the open road.

So you like it? I got the jist you didnt from the last post. They're good little cars.

Yeh I loved driving it, only problem was we had a heap of problem with it. Luckily most of them where covered by warranty.

Hmm, got in a new Mazda 3 Maxx Sports this morning and wasn't as comfortable as I am in an equivelant Focus.
Mazda 6 felt pretty good though. The hassles of having long legs!
Not sure what I'll do now, tempted to go Mazda 3 if I go 2nd hand and Focus if I go knew, might even look at the Mazda 6 now. But the Mazda 6 doesn't have a hatch! Argh!