Used Passat or Mazda 6

[homebredsquid]

Hi,

Having not found any SUV I like so I am back with estates or hatchback, thinking passat or mazda 6, any views on which is better. Priority is reliability then drive, need reasonable boot for dogs. Don't like avensis and won't buy Skoda but open to other suggestions. Max budget 14k, love more premium cars but not large repair bills as I will run any car I buy into high miles and do about 20k per annum.

[dontlookdown]

I replaced a diesel Passat estate with a 2.0 petrol Mazda 6 estate about 5yts ago. Older models than the ones you are talking about, but still.

Boots about the same size and shape. Mazda def a better drive, good steering and reasonably agile for its size. Passat a bit of a tank by comparison. Passat's best point was the PD 130 engine which had a bit of character.

VW has that perceived quality- nice plastics, firm switches, not many rattles. But it had a lot of niggles and faults and was expensive and troublesome to run.

Mazda not quite so well finished but has been incredibly reliable. Bar consumables it has needed 2 new front control arms only at a cost of around 200quid fitted.

Yes it's anecdata, but esp for reliability there's no contest in my view. Mazda all the way.

[Shieldsy94]

I have a 2016 Mazda 6 Sport Nav Diesel. Had it a year and was all fine until a month ago when the oil pressure light came on, which the garage thought was the oil pickup pipe being blocked (it was covered in crap). This light came back on on wednesday so there is an underlying issue somewhere.

Join the facebook group and all you see for the Mazda is DPF oil dilution and carbon build up. Other than that it is a brilliant motor, looks so much better than a dreary passat and the interior is better in my opinion.

For your mileage, you probably need the diesel, however research the common diesel problems before you buy.

[homebredsquid]

thanks guys, like the passat as well but drive is not that much fun imo

[ZX10R NIN]

At 14k I'd be buying the Mondeo in Vignale spec they're not quite as premium in feel as the Germans but they're a nice step on from the Titanium the drivetrain is well proven & they just happen to best the best fwd steer too.

I am bias as I have a 210 Vignale but I looked at everything & for me the Mondeo came out on top, can I ask why you won't buy a Skpda Superb but will consider a Passat after all they're essentially the same car.

180

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010084...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009163...

210 Estate

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010225...

Next would be the 508 GT these are the vfm pick & happen to be a very good car too:

180

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010305...

200

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202002177...

If you can live with a hatch then the DS5 is a good pick:

Prestige

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010155...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008242...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008303...

Now a leftfield pick would be this:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010195...

If you want a Premium feeling car then these tick the boxes real quality interiors that are imo just a smidge ahead of something like an X5 etc then there's the spec (360 cameras/air cooled/heated seats/kerb cam etc) which leaves you wanting nothing & they're reliable too.

Out of the two you list it would be the Passat as Mazda still seem to be having issues with their 2.2d.

[wiliferus]

Shieldsy94 said:

I have a 2016 Mazda 6 Sport Nav Diesel. Had it a year and was all fine until a month ago when the oil pressure light came on, which the garage thought was the oil pickup pipe being blocked (it was covered in crap). This light came back on on wednesday so there is an underlying issue somewhere.

Join the facebook group and all you see for the Mazda is DPF oil dilution and carbon build up. Other than that it is a brilliant motor, looks so much better than a dreary passat and the interior is better in my opinion.

For your mileage, you probably need the diesel, however research the common diesel problems before you buy.

This confirms what I was going to post...

If the OP wants a diesel, go for the Passat. If you want a petrol, go for the Mazda.

[Sir Bagalot]

wiliferus said:

This confirms what I was going to post...

If the OP wants a diesel, go for the Passat. If you want a petrol, go for the Mazda.

^^This

[homebredsquid]

The OP wants an audi A4!!

[ZX10R NIN]

homebredsquid said:

The OP wants an audi A4!!

Why start about a thread about a Mazda or Passat OP?

[homebredsquid]

I want passat or mazda, wife want the audi

[homebredsquid]

I want passat or mazda, wife want the audi

[nobrakes]

E220 cdi estate?

Plenty around in your budget and cheapish to service at a good Indy. Not Mazda cheap, but probably it as bad as you might think.

[Shifter1]

For me it would be the Mazda. Have not cared for a VAG product for a few generations now.

[spreadsheet monkey]

ZX10R NIN said:

can I ask why you won't buy a Skoda Superb but will consider a Passat after all they're essentially the same car.

Bad experience with local Skoda dealer?

Or just doesn't want to have to explain "no it's not rubbish like the pre-90s Skodas, it shares a platform with the Passat..." every time someone asks him what he drives.

[homebredsquid]

No, just don't like the Skoda and also grew up with Skoda jokes, cannot bring myself to buy one so won't, irrespective of how reliable they are now. I originally wanted an A4 but heard they are really expensive to repair. My mondeo has been a great drive but lots went wrong and two chain diesel very expensive and want something different that's not a Skoda and is at least a little bit more premium thatmy titanium mondeo was

[homebredsquid]

love the mazda looks, but looks like we are about to go into another lockdown so a series of test drives may have to wait until after lockdown (which I hear could last several months) 😭

[RazerSauber]

I have a 2013 Mazda 6 2.2D. I have read of oil dilution and my oil was a bit thin when I last changed it but otherwise these are lovely cars to drive. Does take bends well, parts are reasonable if you ever need to change one and it's £30 a year to tax. Couldn't ask for a better car. It's "annoying" that my job may become a permanent work from home role in which case it's not needed and I'd have no reason to keep or use it. That's literally the only reason right now I'd get rid of it.

[homebredsquid]

thabks, I was advised to go for petrol mazda as diesels can have issues and these days a looked after petrol should be good for 200k...my current mondeo is diesel and great drive but DMF and cambelts were very expensive and that, combined with the way the world. seems to hate diesel despite debatable evidence, is leaning me towards petrol!?

[motorbloke]

homebredsquid said:

thabks, I was advised to go for petrol mazda as diesels can have issues and these days a looked after petrol should be good for 200k...my current mondeo is diesel and great drive but DMF and cambelts were very expensive and that, combined with the way the world. seems to hate diesel despite debatable evidence, is leaning me towards petrol!?

Petrol cars aren't bereft of issues either. Arguably more stuff to go wrong with spark plugs and coils involved, but depends on the model. Lots of cars also now have DMFs, and not all of them are diesel.

It's a case of balancing running costs versus servicing costs. If a petrol car costs £500 a year more in fuel for your 20k*, then that goes a long way towards doing a Cambelt and DMF (incredibly pessimistic) after 3 years. Not including servicing costs.

*Diesel 20k / 50 mpg = 400 gal. Say £5.35/gal (118*4.54) = £2140 pa fuel. Petrol 20k / 40 mpg = 500 gal. Say £5.22/gal (115*4.54) = £2610 pa fuel. Pulling mpg figures out of the air - may be better/worse, but you get the gist

Of course there may be different depreciation involved, but depending on the miles you chuck on it and how long you keep it, it may not be an issue.

[homebredsquid]

Thanks, lots to think about... just concerned the way diesels are going, given I will keep the next car at least 5 years, by then people might be crossing themselves and throwing holy water at my car as it passes if its diesel