2009 Mazda 3 Sport 2.0

[Taeb]

Hello all, currently interested in the above car, it has heated seats and lots of extras, I currently drive a 2007 Astra which is boring, underpowered and thristy as I am averaging around 27mpg, now the above car seems slow to 60 for a car with 150bhp, does anyone have any experience with these and what mpg I can expect, mostly short trips but a 40 mile trip on weekends? is it worth going for the 1.6l for the extra mpg?

I have a budget of around £7000 but this car caught my eye for its price and spec.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Also found this which is similar on the mpg front but faster and more 'upmarket'

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

[LM95]

I know someone with a Mazda 3 almost exactly the same as that, certainly feels faster than that time suggests. It won't see any better MPG than you are currently getting with 30 max in mixed driving but it has been ultra reliable over the last 3 or 4 years they have had it with nothing more than consumable items required.

The Audi would be fine too no doubt, being a turbo probably more propensity to go wrong but would be a nicer drive. You can get a descent Focus or Golf for £7k too which would be worth considering.

Focus

Golf

[Taeb]

I do mostly urban and would really want over 30mpg, if I got a golf it would be a 2013 SE model which means I would need to go to 9k+ the newer model Mazda 3 looks good the Skyactive G but the same price as the MK7 Golf , realistically want a comfy reliable petrol as I only do 9000 a year so leaning towards the Mazda, just a shame such a slow engine can produce such bad fuel economy which I guess is due to short gearing.