Mazda 3 - choice of 2...opinions

[Jonathan-vsfnx]

Got a budget of around 3.5-4k – I seem to have been drawn to a Mazda 3 petrol 1.6 – I am looking for a max of 2 owners, under 100k. Seems to be loads down South, but little choice if any in Darlington, where I am. The choice is do I go with less than my budget, then I have money to repair if required or do I stretch to a car with a good spec, age etc - any concern with any of these?
1. Local – 2 owners, lower price, 2010
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211151...
2. Top of budget, leather, 2011, FSH 1 owner
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211191...

[ZX10R NIN]

The first one looks a little rough but if it's local it's worth a look.

Somewhere in the middle:

TS2:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210090...

Takuya

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209149...

[Nickp82]

Not saying this is negative but the silver one has one owner because it’s only been registered here a month, I guess it’s come from Channel Islands or something.

They’re generally reliable cars (silver one has had a recent ABS sensor judging by MOT failure) so I’d go for the silver one if it checks out after a good look and drive etc.

[Jonathan-vsfnx]

also seen this avensis estate - automatic - I will check if the gear box has been serviced recently.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/204163630283?hash=item2...78AAOSwqzdjgInR

[Stallzy]

I'm looking around myself with still no clear focused direction of where to go, but that Silver Takuya seems pretty good value for what you get. The quoted 12.2 seconds 0-60 would be probably too slow even for me, looking for a second car / first car I really get to drive, though

[georgeyboy12345]

I wouldn't buy either of those

The first, cheaper one looks like it's being sold by a driveway trader as this Audi TT is also for sale from seemingly the same location
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211161...

The second, supposedly better one only seems to have had one MOT, even though it's an 11 year old car.

That red one that ZX linked to looks good, I'd buy that one.

[Jonathan-vsfnx]

georgeyboy12345 said:

I wouldn't buy either of those

The first, cheaper one looks like it's being sold by a driveway trader as this Audi TT is also for sale from seemingly the same location
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211161...

The second, supposedly better one only seems to have had one MOT, even though it's an 11 year old car.

That red one that ZX linked to looks good, I'd buy that one.

I wondered why I couldn’t find any MOT history, yes I will avoid that one thanks

[Jonathan-vsfnx]

georgeyboy12345 said:

I wouldn't buy either of those

The first, cheaper one looks like it's being sold by a driveway trader as this Audi TT is also for sale from seemingly the same location
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211161...

The second, supposedly better one only seems to have had one MOT, even though it's an 11 year old car.

That red one that ZX linked to looks good, I'd buy that one.

Would you say this is a driveway trader?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/204163630283
says she is selling it on behalf of her Dad who as passed away but then on the advert it says part ex welcome, she has responded to my first couple of questions, but not the last couple where I have queried the ad and her story

[Rumblestripe]

Difficult to say but the way the car is presented in the photographs (rear seat belts fastened across seats is an odd thing to do for a private seller) additionally looking at "her" trading record on eBay she has sold another car (a year ago) but has bought a lot from vehicle related suppliers. Possibly just a hobby bodger trying to finance a hobby. Personally, I'd walk away from that one.

[Jonathan-vsfnx]

Rumblestripe said:

Difficult to say but the way the car is presented in the photographs (rear seat belts fastened across seats is an odd thing to do for a private seller) additionally looking at "her" trading record on eBay she has sold another car (a year ago) but has bought a lot from vehicle related suppliers. Possibly just a hobby bodger trying to finance a hobby. Personally, I'd walk away from that one.

thank you - you are right, best to walk away when something does not smell right

[Jonathan-vsfnx]

anyone got any opinions on this one..
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211302...

I quite like the 2 litre sport as you have a 6th gear, as opposed to the 1.6 only going to 5 gears.

[blue_haddock]

Rumblestripe said:

Difficult to say but the way the car is presented in the photographs (rear seat belts fastened across seats is an odd thing to do for a private seller) additionally looking at "her" trading record on eBay she has sold another car (a year ago) but has bought a lot from vehicle related suppliers. Possibly just a hobby bodger trying to finance a hobby. Personally, I'd walk away from that one.

I'd agree the pictures and presentation does feel like a trader - also if your just shifting along an inherited vehcile why get the wheels powdercoated?

[Stallzy]

Jonathan-vsfnx said:

anyone got any opinions on this one..
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211302...

I quite like the 2 litre sport as you have a 6th gear, as opposed to the 1.6 only going to 5 gears.

.

I really like that! 10.2 seconds 0-60/150bhp seems pretty acceptable for the price point and you get a fair amount of spec for the money, cruise control, nav (although not sure how good), heated seats, bose sound system and rear sensors.

I guess around the 100k mileage point you want to make sure the service history is in order as otherwise there may be a few things that need replacing.

It's quite funny to me how many dealers in the Tameside / Greater Manchester area near Ashton under Lyne and Oldham/Rochdale use Cheshire in their branding when they're not really based there. Still though, that dealer is about 20 miles from me. Seems to be quite a lot of dealers with older cars in that sort of area, whereas my more local area of 15 miles the opposite direction barely has any...

They also have a Toyota Avensis estate like the one you were looking at on eBay, but it's manual if you want to check out their other stock?

[Jonathan-vsfnx]

Stallzy said:

I really like that! 10.2 seconds 0-60/150bhp seems pretty acceptable for the price point and you get a fair amount of spec for the money, cruise control, nav (although not sure how good), heated seats, bose sound system and rear sensors.

I guess around the 100k mileage point you want to make sure the service history is in order as otherwise there may be a few things that need replacing.

It's quite funny to me how many dealers in the Tameside / Greater Manchester area near Ashton under Lyne and Oldham/Rochdale use Cheshire in their branding when they're not really based there. Still though, that dealer is about 20 miles from me. Seems to be quite a lot of dealers with older cars in that sort of area, whereas my more local area of 15 miles the opposite direction barely has any...

They also have a Toyota Avensis estate like the one you were looking at on eBay, but it's manual if you want to check out their other stock?

Cheers will do, I have contacted them for the reg, but they are not giving it to me at the moment as I mentioned paying by credit card, they said they accept only cash or finance - this is disappointing from a dealer - I know credit cards incur costs and potential issues down the line if people buy a turkey and go back thru their credit card for a dispute - but this points to a lack of trust for me - as with either finance or cash they have the money and you have no chance of getting a refund.

[Stallzy]

Jonathan-vsfnx said:

Cheers will do, I have contacted them for the reg, but they are not giving it to me at the moment as I mentioned paying by credit card, they said they accept only cash or finance - this is disappointing from a dealer - I know credit cards incur costs and potential issues down the line if people buy a turkey and go back thru their credit card for a dispute - but this points to a lack of trust for me - as with either finance or cash they have the money and you have no chance of getting a refund.

Damn dude that's dodgy... I'm 24 and just navigating all this car buying stuff more on my own where it was mostly sorted out for me with my first car (been carless for 3 yrs) and it's definitely a headache.

I swear they talk about so many guarantees etc in their adverts with 15 month warranty etc etc, but with any of these warranties from small dealers, I think I'd want them to show me the details in black and white or have a recorded conversation because it's pretty vague or blurred lines between what is covered by warranty and what they deem to be wear and tear for an older vehicle, which sucks, or they'll make statements randomly like "its a 10 year old car / 15 year old car" which is confusing because literally all they deal with is older vehicles and not sure why they disrespect their products like that sometimes.

It's getting too close to Christmas for me to do much now I think as I don't want to be dealing with headaches of paperwork taking ages to turn up with mail strikes or that being a possible excuse, plus people at call centres for sorting out insurance etc being burned out or not fully focusing on the job as Christmas / holidays is so close. Plus I would just find it sad if I commit to a car and then it's just sat outside not being driven, with snow and ice and the like just gathering on it, when maybe there's not much likelihood in them moving from the forecourts for a few weeks.

That being said, I had the same sort of thoughts building up last week before the weather got quite as intense and literally 4 or more cars I was looking at through AutoTrader and dealer own websites were sold... :/

I'm sure there's nice examples out there which won't appear on the market for a few more months, but don't know how long I'm willing to wait :P. Just using this as an opportunity to build more savings.

[Jonathan-vsfnx]

Stallzy said:

I really like that! 10.2 seconds 0-60/150bhp seems pretty acceptable for the price point and you get a fair amount of spec for the money, cruise control, nav (although not sure how good), heated seats, bose sound system and rear sensors.

I guess around the 100k mileage point you want to make sure the service history is in order as otherwise there may be a few things that need replacing.

It's quite funny to me how many dealers in the Tameside / Greater Manchester area near Ashton under Lyne and Oldham/Rochdale use Cheshire in their branding when they're not really based there. Still though, that dealer is about 20 miles from me. Seems to be quite a lot of dealers with older cars in that sort of area, whereas my more local area of 15 miles the opposite direction barely has any...

They also have a Toyota Avensis estate like the one you were looking at on eBay, but it's manual if you want to check out their other stock?

Cheers will do, I have contacted them for the reg, but they are not giving it to me at the moment as I mentioned paying by credit card, they said they accept only cash or finance - this is disappointing from a dealer - I know credit cards incur costs and potential issues down the line if people buy a turkey and go back thru their credit card for a dispute - but this points to a lack of trust for me - as with either finance or cash they have the money and you have no chance of getting a refund.

[Ankh87]

Why the 1.6 though? It'll feel really sluggish and for your money you could get something better and probably cheaper to run.

Also might be worth looking into where you're driving as if it's mostly city possibly look at something like the Mazda 2 instead? Or if you need a bigish car then look at others like a Corolla or Cee'd or C30?

Don't be worried about travelling for a car either. I don't go further than 100 miles so for you that's like as North as Newcastle and as south as Leeds. Covers a big area. I'm sure you could find something. Just a few alternatives that I could quickly find.


Honda Civic
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211021...


SEAT Ibiza
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211231...


Volvo C30
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211251...

[Jonathan-vsfnx]

Ankh87 said:

Why the 1.6 though? It'll feel really sluggish and for your money you could get something better and probably cheaper to run.

Also might be worth looking into where you're driving as if it's mostly city possibly look at something like the Mazda 2 instead? Or if you need a bigish car then look at others like a Corolla or Cee'd or C30?

Don't be worried about travelling for a car either. I don't go further than 100 miles so for you that's like as North as Newcastle and as south as Leeds. Covers a big area. I'm sure you could find something. Just a few alternatives that I could quickly find.


Honda Civic
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211021...


SEAT Ibiza
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211231...


Volvo C30
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211251...

Thank you for this, much appreciated, the Honda looks good, its a 5 door as well, which I like. Its not too far away so if I go and have a look its not too bad.

[ZX10R NIN]

I have to say that at your price point I'd be looking at the Astra in 1.4/16T form or the GTC (if a three door can work for you) with the same drivetrains. All come with 6 speed boxes they're long geared so relaxing on long runs & the extra midrange (in comparison to the N/A Mazda options) from the turbo engines will make it's presence felt everywhere, they're reliable sensible to maintain & less likely (due to Mazda's thin paint) to have surface rust issues.

1.6T GTC SRI:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211231...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207157...

1.4T SRI Nav:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211171...

SRI:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212062...

1.6T Astra SRI:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211161...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211252...

1.4T SRI:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211282...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209159...

[Jonathan-vsfnx]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/255875464224?hash=item3...

What does everyone think of this one? What questions should I ask, I am going to ask number of owners and when it last had a service.