Any cars I'm overlooking?

[Hammer315]

So my annual mileage is dropping from approx 24k miles to 10k, which means I am going to replace my Mazda 6 2.2 diesel sport nav with a petrol car instead because I know the horror stories of these cars on short journeys and this one is already on 135k & starting to replace egr valves etc.

The situation/criteria is, I'm a single parent with 2 kids, (12&14y ) and a mid size collie doggo. The car will be used mainly on shorter trips around country roads, occasionally town, with a longer run once a week up and down motorways.

- My budget is around 10k, but can maybe go a bit higher.
- A reasonable size boot space for the dog (occasionally, although sometimes we put him in the back seats), and football equipment. (For reference, the Mazda 6 boot is overkill most of the time)
- Reliability is key.
- petrol

My current, varied shortlist:

- Mazda 3 (2.0 skyactiv-g)
- Honda Civic (1.8 i-VTEC)
- Suzuki Vitara 1.4t (maybe allgrip?)

Any other suggestions?
Any knowledge of if the allgrip on Suzuki is reliable or is it best to avoid?

Thanks in advance. 👌

[ZX10R NIN]

Kia Proceed Launch Edition:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508295...

GT Line:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510066...

Astra Elite Nav estate:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510016...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510036...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511218...

[bigals]

no idea about the all grip system but as a rule the Suzuki are bomb proof and the booster jet 1.4 engines are good and should go to 150k no issue as long as serviced regularly,

[chip*]

I like the Vitara, but I find the rear seat space maybe a little too tight, especially with 2 growing teenagers.

For 10k outlay, the 1.8 Civic estate would be high on my list as the rear seating is more accommodating + useful boot for the furry one.

[Matt_T]

Hi Hammer,

I was in a very similar situation 2 years ago with a diesel Honda Accord that was on 160,000 miles. The issue I had was that everything I drove felt much less refined, cheaper built and lacked torque. Considering I was getting offered about £800 trade in for the Accord I decided just to keep it.

I suspect that you Mazda6 is similar - fantastic build quality, refined and has tons of torque! Everything else may feel a bit cr4p in comparison!

[Hammer315]

Matt_T said:

Hi Hammer,

I was in a very similar situation 2 years ago with a diesel Honda Accord that was on 160,000 miles. The issue I had was that everything I drove felt much less refined, cheaper built and lacked torque. Considering I was getting offered about £800 trade in for the Accord I decided just to keep it.

I suspect that you Mazda6 is similar - fantastic build quality, refined and has tons of torque! Everything else may feel a bit cr4p in comparison!

Yeah, I did consider it! The problem is, my mechanic said "if it was his car, he would look to move it on and get a petrol". It drives flawlessly, but he said it's getting pretty sludgy even though I've had the oil changed every 10k.
That's why I have the Mazda 3 on the list, because build wise it will be similar, just the lack of turbo/torque.

[Bonefish Blues]

bigals said:

no idea about the all grip system but as a rule the Suzuki are bomb proof and the booster jet 1.4 engines are good and should go to 150k no issue as long as serviced regularly,

Go for an S Cross 4grip instead of the Vitara and you get all of that plus a bigger boot. Excellent cars.

[Kenty in Weardale]

I've got a Collie too and do a mix of long Motorway journeys and shorter shop/country runs and have found my Hyundai i30 tourer to be great over the 6 years and 70,000 miles I've had it. Mine is a 67 plate with now 101K on it, 1 litre engine and average about 52 to the gallon and has never let me down. Lots of room in the rear for dog, luggage or shopping

Decent ones seem to top out around £9k for a 2018/19 with under 60k miles.

Good luck in your search

[macron]

There are very few civic estates around, especially with vaguely sensible miles.

The Suzuki will feel a bit flimsy (sorry fanboys, drive almost anything soon after and you know it's true), the S Cross suggested has better NVH but still isn't great.

How about a petrol Mazda6?

They're also thin on the ground, as are 3 series tourings, but they'll hold their money

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2025090159...

Wildcard, more interesting than a Kia or Astra, but noisy, but focus estate. Insane vfm.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2025091964...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2025103075...

[sparkythecat]

Mrs S has had a Vitara for about 6 years, albeit the 1.6 petrol.
It's been fabulously reliable, consistently manages 45mpg, has good visibility and room in the boot for 2 Vizslas .
On the downsides , it's comparatively light at 1075 kg and because of its higher COG, is more stiffly sprung, which can make it a little bit skittish at times on poor road surfaces.. A weight saving on soundproofing also means that road noise can also be a bit intrusive. Both of these issues can be moderated with careful choice of tyres and tyre pressures.

[FiF]

Another one who would look at another Mazda 6 Tourer. I know you say boot space is a bit of overkill but personally a fan of big estates with a low flat loading lip. As is our Golden.