Mazda6 estate AWD - opinions/experiences?

[Landlord]

Hello,

In my excitement-filled search for a reliable family car I have come across a Mazda6 Estate AWD for sale ('04).

On reading Parkers it basically sang the Mazda6's praises and then, the absolute final line under "Selling" was "the only lemon is the AWD Sport4" (or similar).

Now, it didn't mention this lemonity throughout any of the previous text - only in the "Selling" bit (i.e. if one is selling). Does this mean it's tough to shift or have they just neglected to say so during the rest of the review?

Does anyone have one/had one who could give me their opinion?

Thanks in advance,
Phil.

PS: Oh and if anyone has any advice on a £3-£5k estate that is reliable and, ideally, has 4WD (I'm on the lookout for a Subaru Legacy but they're pretty thin on the ground in the "new" spec for that money)

[GravelBen]

Landlord said:

...Oh and if anyone has any advice on a £3-£5k estate that is reliable and, ideally, has 4WD (I'm on the lookout for a Subaru Legacy but they're pretty thin on the ground in the "new" spec for that money)

This is the right idea IMO, but I may be biased!

I don't know anything about the 4wd Mazda6 but dad had a (fwd) 2.3 6-spd manual wagon as a company car for a while which was a nice drive, just didn't have the character of the Subarus.

Edited by GravelBen on Wednesday 14th April 12:51

[ian_c_uk]

Octavia 4x4turbo? Forester?

[Landlord]

ian_c_uk said:

Octavia 4x4turbo? Forester?

Forester - a no purely on personal taste/looks.

Octavia 4x4turbo... is a new one for the list. I'll take a look.

Thanks for the suggestion (genuinely!) but I'm really after info on the Mazda6 if anyone has one?

Ta!