Mazda 6 MPS or Suzuki Grand Vitara. Any good?
Discussion
Not trying to compare the two but my favourite two cars that I have owned in recent years have been this:
and this:
I loved the Impreza for its speed, handling and traction but it was also a comfortable and practical family car too. Less keen on the high fuel consumption and Police-attracting looks though.
The Jeep was a totally different proposition but I loved its comfort, refinement and estate car-like practicality and its go anywhere ability.
However, they were both very good long distance cars, which unfortunately my wife's Toyota that we traded the Jeep in for isn't.
I was leaning towards another SUV as my next car and liked the idea of the power, comfort and space of an X5, Range Rover or M-Class. The problem with these cars though is that they cost 40k+ new and my budget only stretches to a 10 year old example.
It's probably unreasonable for me to expect a 10 year old luxury SUV to have Ford Focus running costs!
I've always quite liked the look of these:
For a similar budget, I could buy a 5 year old example of one of these and as it was a 20k car new, I can realistically be able to afford to keep it running and it looks a bit more rugged/manly than a RAV4/CRV. I have driven the previous-gen GV to this, which seemed like a decent enough, fundamentally well-engineered car for the money, although the interior felt a bit cheap. Just wondered whether these ones are any good. They didn't sell any diesel versions here, so the most common engine option available is the 2.4 petrol with 5 doors and probably with an automatic gearbox. There was the option of a 2.7 V6 with 185bhp or a 3.2 V6 with 230bhp which seems quite enticing but these are rarer though.
For similar money, I also like the look of these:
Very rare due to a limited production run but I would like to think that it would drive a bit like a more grown-up Impreza with more discrete looks and a few more creature comforts. The fixed seatback makes it less practical than my current 10 year old saloon though.
I also have a soft spot for the Mazda 3 MPS. A colleague had one and I didn't actually realise it existed until he got one. At the time it was significantly faster and more powerful than the previous generation opposition (MkV Golf GTi and original Focus ST and Astra VXR etc) but Mazda neglected to tell anyone about it and at the back it looks a bit like an AMC Pacer IMHO! He seemed pretty happy with it though and I liked its Q-car appeal.
The winters are long and harsh here though, so AWD/4WD would definitely be an asset (and a justifiable reason to change my car),as even putting down 200bhp in my FWD saloon with a slushbox is an issue (although I only actually got it stuck twice last winter). Nothing really wrong with my car. It's 10 years old but still running well but I just fancy a change. I could get a 2-3 year old "vanilla" spec Focus oe for the same money as an older Grand Vitara/MPS but I would have less power than I have now and wouldn't really feel like I was gaining anything (apart from getting a newer vehicle).
Any insight on either car would be most welcome.
and this:
I loved the Impreza for its speed, handling and traction but it was also a comfortable and practical family car too. Less keen on the high fuel consumption and Police-attracting looks though.
The Jeep was a totally different proposition but I loved its comfort, refinement and estate car-like practicality and its go anywhere ability.
However, they were both very good long distance cars, which unfortunately my wife's Toyota that we traded the Jeep in for isn't.
I was leaning towards another SUV as my next car and liked the idea of the power, comfort and space of an X5, Range Rover or M-Class. The problem with these cars though is that they cost 40k+ new and my budget only stretches to a 10 year old example.
It's probably unreasonable for me to expect a 10 year old luxury SUV to have Ford Focus running costs!
I've always quite liked the look of these:
For a similar budget, I could buy a 5 year old example of one of these and as it was a 20k car new, I can realistically be able to afford to keep it running and it looks a bit more rugged/manly than a RAV4/CRV. I have driven the previous-gen GV to this, which seemed like a decent enough, fundamentally well-engineered car for the money, although the interior felt a bit cheap. Just wondered whether these ones are any good. They didn't sell any diesel versions here, so the most common engine option available is the 2.4 petrol with 5 doors and probably with an automatic gearbox. There was the option of a 2.7 V6 with 185bhp or a 3.2 V6 with 230bhp which seems quite enticing but these are rarer though.
For similar money, I also like the look of these:
Very rare due to a limited production run but I would like to think that it would drive a bit like a more grown-up Impreza with more discrete looks and a few more creature comforts. The fixed seatback makes it less practical than my current 10 year old saloon though.
I also have a soft spot for the Mazda 3 MPS. A colleague had one and I didn't actually realise it existed until he got one. At the time it was significantly faster and more powerful than the previous generation opposition (MkV Golf GTi and original Focus ST and Astra VXR etc) but Mazda neglected to tell anyone about it and at the back it looks a bit like an AMC Pacer IMHO! He seemed pretty happy with it though and I liked its Q-car appeal.
The winters are long and harsh here though, so AWD/4WD would definitely be an asset (and a justifiable reason to change my car),as even putting down 200bhp in my FWD saloon with a slushbox is an issue (although I only actually got it stuck twice last winter). Nothing really wrong with my car. It's 10 years old but still running well but I just fancy a change. I could get a 2-3 year old "vanilla" spec Focus oe for the same money as an older Grand Vitara/MPS but I would have less power than I have now and wouldn't really feel like I was gaining anything (apart from getting a newer vehicle).
Any insight on either car would be most welcome.
vx220 said:
First ever use of the words "rugged", "manly" and Vitara in a PH post!!!
In comparison to a RAV4 or CRV its quite justified!Mate has a diesel Vitara that shape, nothing wrong with it as far as I can tell. Bit limited in ground clearance for proper offroad work, but you get that. I've only driven the earlier models, no powerhouse by any means but they hang suprisingly good slides in 2wd mode on gravel roads.
No experience of the MPS but people seem to like them. I wouldn't really expect it to use any less fuel than a WRX though.
The obvious options to try and combine the talents of your two suggestions would be Forester, Outback or Legacy.
Edited by GravelBen on Friday 8th August 07:12
Wifey had a GV 2.0 petrol for quite a while, it really was quite the most reliable car for the time we had it.
In 3 or 4 years it was oils and filters, wiper blades and a set of winters that stayed on it and went from something like 30k to 54k till we sold it and she now has a MK2 TT.
Drove to Switzerland and back in it, 3 adults 1 child luggage roofbox etc without issue.
Fuel consumption on the other hand isnt so great, though it is in permanent 4wd so like your Scooby its a trade off.
Its also a bit lethargic off the line, would cruise at 75 all day but the gearing isnt really suited as a motorway cruiser.
When the missus sold it I got an HRV as a sort of replacement rubbish tip/ snowy day/ load with bikes car. Drives similar to the Vit, only not as capable in any of the areas the Suzuki is.
In 3 or 4 years it was oils and filters, wiper blades and a set of winters that stayed on it and went from something like 30k to 54k till we sold it and she now has a MK2 TT.
Drove to Switzerland and back in it, 3 adults 1 child luggage roofbox etc without issue.
Fuel consumption on the other hand isnt so great, though it is in permanent 4wd so like your Scooby its a trade off.
Its also a bit lethargic off the line, would cruise at 75 all day but the gearing isnt really suited as a motorway cruiser.
When the missus sold it I got an HRV as a sort of replacement rubbish tip/ snowy day/ load with bikes car. Drives similar to the Vit, only not as capable in any of the areas the Suzuki is.
If you have a look a MPS ,check for timing chain slap by putting your finger in the oil cap to the left and feeling the rocker cover for score marks.
Obviously do this cold , then fire her up and listen .They are a really noisy engine anyway but severe chain slap is obvious .
Let the car idle for a good ten mins while you look around the rest of it .then check for excessive white exhaust smoke.
if any are shagged you can get a chineese turbo for about £380 delivered and a whole vvt chain kit from the US for £300
Obviously do this cold , then fire her up and listen .They are a really noisy engine anyway but severe chain slap is obvious .
Let the car idle for a good ten mins while you look around the rest of it .then check for excessive white exhaust smoke.
if any are shagged you can get a chineese turbo for about £380 delivered and a whole vvt chain kit from the US for £300
I have a 6 MPS. Fuel wise It will be no better than the Subaru. Although it is more powerful than the base spec wrx in reality it isn't any quicker due to the weight - it is a heavy old thing. However it is a nice place to sit and has all the toys you could want, they also seem to be pretty reliable as long as you stick to the maintenance schedule.
There is more cabin space than in an impreza - a more likely rival size wise is the legacy. The rear seats on the 6 do fold down however there are some big supporting braces going across the space. Driving wise it is lovely, really smooth power delivery and due to relatively narrow tyres you can get it up and moving about underneath you. Steering is a little dead around centre but other than that it is great. Suspension is a little hard when pooling around town, but get it into a nice B road and it seems to flow and become more supple.
Overall it is a great everyday proposition if you can face the fuel costs. It's probably not quite as involving at 10/10ths as an impreza but I think makes for a nicer family car. Plus no one knows what they are so they get no attention from the police!
There is more cabin space than in an impreza - a more likely rival size wise is the legacy. The rear seats on the 6 do fold down however there are some big supporting braces going across the space. Driving wise it is lovely, really smooth power delivery and due to relatively narrow tyres you can get it up and moving about underneath you. Steering is a little dead around centre but other than that it is great. Suspension is a little hard when pooling around town, but get it into a nice B road and it seems to flow and become more supple.
Overall it is a great everyday proposition if you can face the fuel costs. It's probably not quite as involving at 10/10ths as an impreza but I think makes for a nicer family car. Plus no one knows what they are so they get no attention from the police!
I went from a blob-eye Impreza to a 6MPS.
The first thing you notice is the weight - the MPS is about 300kg heavier than the scooby, so it needs a cobb/versatune/ecutek remap to bring it back anywhere near to scooby power/weight ratio.
The VVT chain/actuator seems to go at about 70K miles so make sure the one you get has had it done or budget £700 to do it.
Overall a very good car, quick, discreet, well built.
Insurance is very cheap - I had a quote of £184 (safe area, full no claims)
Tax is ludicrous for > March 2006 models - £475, but this makes the car fantastic value as no one will buy them.
More info here - http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
The first thing you notice is the weight - the MPS is about 300kg heavier than the scooby, so it needs a cobb/versatune/ecutek remap to bring it back anywhere near to scooby power/weight ratio.
The VVT chain/actuator seems to go at about 70K miles so make sure the one you get has had it done or budget £700 to do it.
Overall a very good car, quick, discreet, well built.
Insurance is very cheap - I had a quote of £184 (safe area, full no claims)
Tax is ludicrous for > March 2006 models - £475, but this makes the car fantastic value as no one will buy them.
More info here - http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
i do like an MPS, only ever driven one (v.briefly), in about 2006 I think. A chap a few doors from me has recently bought one, but self confessed he didn't realise it was different from a regular 6 ... odd considering he paid abut 4 times more than an equivalent 6 would have been for the same vintage. Don't think they are necessarily rare, just very much sleepers and pass by unnoticed.
DaveH23 said:
If you want MPV + MPS then look at the CX-7
Its not marketed as an MPS but its the same engine.
And it really is a cracking car. I ran mine for well beyond the time I'd normally swap cars because it did almost everything I wanted in a car. They stopped building it, so I kept it. Still have it sort of. Passed it on to a family member who does tiny miles in it but loves it to bits.Its not marketed as an MPS but its the same engine.
The facelift car only came with a diesel in the UK, though they still made them with the MPS engine and with RHD for OZ and Japan. I could not persuade Mazda to get me one from new into the UK, despite the fact that they were still rolling off the production lines. I looked into getting a friend in Oz to buy one for me there and then import it into the UK, but in the end it just was not worth the hassle.
There was a common fault with the original turbo. I forget the details, it was something to do with the oil ways getting blocked resulting in failure. I had a new modified turbo fitted under warranty.
The best of both worlds in my mind. Decent performance and with practicality of a SUV/estate car. It was still pulling admiring looks and car park complements at 5 years old.
I think most of my memorable drives were in the CX-7. It lived half in the country, and half in the city and coped with both easily, even making light of the 2010 and 2011 big snows.
I would love a 6 MPS, but have no reason for one now. The geography teacher plain Jane looks coupled with that nice MZR DISI motor make it a very tempting car indeed.
garycat said:
I went from a blob-eye Impreza to a 6MPS.
The first thing you notice is the weight - the MPS is about 300kg heavier than the scooby, so it needs a cobb/versatune/ecutek remap to bring it back anywhere near to scooby power/weight ratio.
The VVT chain/actuator seems to go at about 70K miles so make sure the one you get has had it done or budget £700 to do it.
Overall a very good car, quick, discreet, well built.
Insurance is very cheap - I had a quote of £184 (safe area, full no claims)
Tax is ludicrous for > March 2006 models - £475, but this makes the car fantastic value as no one will buy them.
More info here - http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Thanks for that insight into ownership. Out of interest, on balance which do you prefer? The blobeye or the Mazda? I looked up the specs and was surprised how heavy the MPS was. Why? Yes, it's a slightly bigger car but a non-MPS 6 is only about 100kg heavier than an Impreza, as is a Legacy Spec-B.The first thing you notice is the weight - the MPS is about 300kg heavier than the scooby, so it needs a cobb/versatune/ecutek remap to bring it back anywhere near to scooby power/weight ratio.
The VVT chain/actuator seems to go at about 70K miles so make sure the one you get has had it done or budget £700 to do it.
Overall a very good car, quick, discreet, well built.
Insurance is very cheap - I had a quote of £184 (safe area, full no claims)
Tax is ludicrous for > March 2006 models - £475, but this makes the car fantastic value as no one will buy them.
More info here - http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
white_goodman said:
Thanks for that insight into ownership. Out of interest, on balance which do you prefer? The blobeye or the Mazda? I looked up the specs and was surprised how heavy the MPS was. Why? Yes, it's a slightly bigger car but a non-MPS 6 is only about 100kg heavier than an Impreza, as is a Legacy Spec-B.
I guess the 4WD system adds a lot of weight over the standard 6.I was doing a lot of motorway miles so the MPS is much better than the scooby as it is quieter and smoother. It is also more discreet and I guess I got to the age where I had grown out of the scooby with loud exhaust and worry about theft. It was a great car though I had it for 8 years and did 136K miles without any serious issues.
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