Passat CC or Mazda 6?

[NotKenBlock]

Following my last thread on a similar subject (sorry for jumping around abit!) I have had a very good offer on a Passat CC.

I've test driven the CC this morning and it was a great drive, exactly the sort of thing im after (mile munching cruiser). And im going to drive the Mazda this afternoon.

Just wondered if any one has any thoughts on either of the above?

Specs:

Passat - 2.0 TDI 140 GT auto. Black on Black leather, NAV, Bluetooth, parking sensors etc.
Mazda - 2.2d 163 Takyua special edition manual, half leather, no Nav, bluetooth, parking sensors.

So spec is pretty much the same apart from no Nav in the 6 and the CC is an auto.

Any thoughts chaps?

[ZesPak]

Judging from that I suppose the 6 is either a lot cheaper or newer/less miles?

Also, doesn't the 6 come in 3 shapes: 4dr, 5dr and break?

[JonnyFive]

The 2.2d is definitely the best engine in the 6.. Cheapest servicing of the diesels too.

1st - £210
2nd - £290
3rd - £295
4th - £290
5th - £200

So relativly cheap servicing, thats including VAT and at £90/hr rate, which should be cheaper if you're further up North or more expensive if nearer Central London.

[NotKenBlock]

ZesPak said:

Judging from that I suppose the 6 is either a lot cheaper or newer/less miles?

Also, doesn't the 6 come in 3 shapes: 4dr, 5dr and break?

6 is brand new unregistered (roughly £407 on a contract each month) CC is 4k miles on a 60 plate coming in at £425 a month on a contract.

Im on a car allowance (changing jobs from a company car) doing 30k miles a year so the choice of engines / contracts is limited


My head is saying the 6 (slightly cheaper, more practical, new etc) Heart is saying the CC (Much nicer looking IMO, nicer spec)

Confused!

Edited by NotKenBlock on Wednesday 29th June 11:18

[va1o]

I'd go for the CC, it looks great and the interior is a nice place to be. At 30k miles a year comfort is important.

[pembo]

Personally I'd struggle, I do prefer the Passat but an auto box would really put me off. I do quite like the Mazda though but they're not quite as nice inside and inbuilt sat-nav is another pet hate so would not be a selling point to me in any way.

Would a manual Passat be completely out of the question?

[Ramses]

I'd go CC. Far nicer car inside and out - a real mini-CLS. Jap cars might be "reliable" but they feel like they are 10 years on within a month IME.

(Well built) German cars feel like a month old when they are 10 years.

Add in that a year old CC will depreciate a lot less than a brand new Mazda. The monthlies might be less, but you'll end up with (more) equity in the CC at the end of the contract.


Only niggle is the CC is old and bound to be replaced sometime coming up.

[va1o]

Ramses said:

Only niggle is the CC is old and bound to be replaced sometime coming up.

Both the CC and 6 came out in 2008

[NotKenBlock]

Thanks chaps interesting thoughts and I'm kind of glad you've said CC as its what Im feeling in my heart at the moment. Still yet to drive the 6 though.

No worries about auto (infact i prefer it for 30k a year) I have a Mk1 MX5 for the fun stuff at weekends!

Anyone got any experience of driving the CC mega miles? How comfy is it on a long journey?

[LuS1fer]

Not a fan of the styling on the Mazda but rather liked the Passat CC as long as the CC doesn't inherit the new nose that looks like it was penned by a very lazy person in the dark.

[ZesPak]

I'm a fan of the Mazda, but at the price point given I'd take a second hand car any day of the week, as they propose much better VFM.

[Deerfoot]

Based purely on looks, I`d go for the Volkswagen.

[Caulkhead]

Mazda is more fun on the twisties, CC is a better cruiser. I'd probably just about swing to the Mazda as they are both heavyish and the extra poke from the Mazda would be welcome unless you spend all day in traffic when the DSG would help.

[Ramses]

va1o said:

Ramses said:

Only niggle is the CC is old and bound to be replaced sometime coming up.

Both the CC and 6 came out in 2008

I couldn't be less interested.

But the CC is based heavily on a car that has just been replaced....it WILL be facelifted/tweaked in the next few months.

The Mazda might be too.....but you wouldn't notice.

[Lets Torque]

The Mazda has been facelifted since 2008. The VW may be face-lifted soon aswell though

Out of those I would go for VW. It has leather and Nav plus the ease of DSG Auto box. I'm not a big fan of the Mazda although I like most other Mazda's.

[tim2100]

I have had a Mazda 6 TS 2.0d since 2008. Was very close to choosing a Passat at the time (non-CC)

Both were 2.0 diesels giving 140bhp at the time.

When I test drove them, the Passat felt quite dull, whereas the 6 was a far better drive.

Living with the 6 over the last 2.5 years (first 18 months I did 40k miles, 8k miles since then due to job change), The handling was excellent on OE tyres. The lease company have not specified OE tyres when I changed and the handling deteriorated. However even now down twisty lanes it can hustle along pretty quickly. Very light on tyres & brakes for a big car. The back tyres are still original and the brakes have all just been changed after 48k miles.

There have been no rattles, and everything still feels as solid as new.
Downsides are after 3 hours in the seat, they can start to get a bit hard & uncomfortable, and the economy is not great. Mid 45's on a long run, and high 30's combined.

Yesterday I had a quick look at the new Passat, and it still felt dull. IMO.
If my needs were the same I would have another 6. Don't think I would be happy in the Passat.

Edited by tim2100 on Wednesday 29th June 15:13

[NotKenBlock]

Well just back from the test of the Mazda 6 and to be honest I was bitterly disapointed. Compared to the VM is was tinny, harsh and noisy. The engine is very audible in the cabin and as a motorway cruiser I just cant see it working. The gear change was also quite firm and notchy.. great in my MX5 not so great here.

I now have a different decision however as I've had a call from left field. I honestly discounted them as I thought i wouldnt be able to afford one... but the Audi A5 Sport back has now come into play.

Just on the phone now to Audi about some numbers... hold tight!

[Ramses]

NotKenBlock said:

Well just back from the test of the Mazda 6 and to be honest I was bitterly disapointed. Compared to the VM is was tinny, harsh and noisy. The engine is very audible in the cabin and as a motorway cruiser I just cant see it working. The gear change was also quite firm and notchy.. great in my MX5 not so great here.

I now have a different decision however as I've had a call from left field. I honestly discounted them as I thought i wouldnt be able to afford one... but the Audi A5 Sport back has now come into play.

Just on the phone now to Audi about some numbers... hold tight!

Not surprised on the Mazda - remember my comment "Jap cars might be "reliable" but they feel like they are 10 years on within a month IME. (Well built) German cars feel like a month old when they are 10 years."

Make sense now? never yet come across the car that changed that. Lexus perhaps.


BUT....

If the numbers stack (which at £450/mth they should) - the Audi - no contest.

[angusc43]

Bit late.....but for what it's worth I think the CC looks fabulous from a bystander's perspective. I wouldn't even recognise a 6.

[300bhp/ton]

NotKenBlock said:

Following my last thread on a similar subject (sorry for jumping around abit!) I have had a very good offer on a Passat CC.

I've test driven the CC this morning and it was a great drive, exactly the sort of thing im after (mile munching cruiser). And im going to drive the Mazda this afternoon.

Just wondered if any one has any thoughts on either of the above?

Specs:

Passat - 2.0 TDI 140 GT auto. Black on Black leather, NAV, Bluetooth, parking sensors etc.
Mazda - 2.2d 163 Takyua special edition manual, half leather, no Nav, bluetooth, parking sensors.

So spec is pretty much the same apart from no Nav in the 6 and the CC is an auto.

Any thoughts chaps?

Presume this is a company car?