Hi
Help! I needs some advice.
Out of desperation, I tried to 'defect' to a Mazda 6 estate 2.2D (diesel) mainly because I couldnt find a used Honda Accord Tourer 2.2 i-DTEC (diesel) that suited me.
BUT, both of the Mazda 6 cars that I have bought this week have serious problems!
i.e. When my local Mazda dealer evaluated each of them, it turns out BOTH of them have serious steering rack problems - which will cost £2300 to repair!
So, under the "Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 and the Sale of Goods Act 1979"
http://www.oft.gov.uk/shared_oft/reports/676408/oft1241.pdf
http://www.oft.gov.uk/shared_oft/reports/676408/oft1242.pdf
... I have already returned the first car to Car Giant, and now it looks like I still have the opportunity to return the second car to Black Horse. [GROAN]
My dilemma is that although Fahad tells me that the Honda Accord is "a much better car than the Mazda 6", how much better?
And is it worth that extra 2 or 3 grand, like for like?
My basic strategy was to buy a young-ish car, look after it and try to get 200K miles from it.
I am looking for cheap, reliable, comfortable, mostly motorway miles.
I need a 0 to 60 time of sub 10 seconds, for safety during over taking (and would probably remap whatever I get to sub 8-9 seconds)
Colour: Blue if humanly possible!
My budget is £10K to £12K.
MAZDA 6 vs HONDA ACCORD
My last car was a 2.2 i-CTDi EX 5d Tourer from 2007 (which v sadly I wrote off). I've only had the Mazda 6 for a few days but here is how I got on:
- A top of the range sporty 185bhp SL Mazda 6 estate was the first car I bought this week (which I handed back today!)
- My current car is the 163bhp TS2 Mazda 6 estate 2010 (EDIT: it may actually be a 2009 model I'll need to check).
- ENGINE NOISE:
On both Mazdas, the engines are smooth very quiet even when revving hard. 'Effortless' acceleration. Rather pleasant sound. Fantastic - and much nicer than my i-DTEC.
I imagine that with a Fahad tweaking they will be amaaaazing.
- ACCELERATION:
The TS2 (163bhp) model: 0 - 60 time of 8.8, way better than Honda's 2.2 i-DTEC 0 -60 time of 9.8s
AND the MPG of 53 is distinctly better than Honda's 50mpg.
The SL (185bhp) model: 0 - 60 time of 8.5s feels seriously quick leaves the Honda for dust.
MPG is 49 i.e. about the same as the Honda.
I suspect the key problem is that the Honda is 8% heavier (1703 versus the Mazda's 1575kg)
To be fair my Honda 2.2 i-CTDI was Fahad remapped to c180BHP, which worked great with good acceleration and pretty good economy. BUT this then required a new lumpy/shuddering 'sports' clutch, which had a horrible gear change in towns. Also the engine was slightly noisy engine under load.
- COMFORT:
Seats: Honda seats are way more comfortable. (Although why to people like leather seats? They are clammy and ****** cold in the winter).
Wind noise: Mazda suffers slightly from noisy wing mirrors. At 70-80 it sounds like you are driving into a wind. Only a bit of a whisper but it'll be annoying on long journeys.
Road/tyre noise: Mazda 6 okay but not brilliant. But way better than my 2007 Honda which IMHO was dreadful (albiet rather better after v quiet tyres).
Supsension:
The SL was hideous on motorways. With 'sports suspension' and 18" tyres feels every goddam bump. Brilliant cornering and good fun on winding roads, but on motorways (where I live) NIGHTMARE.
The TS2 was fine. Moderately good cornering and civilised on motorways. Not as comfortable suspension as my old i-CTDi on motorways. Cornering about the same.
- PRACTICALITY
Mazda wins this hands down. The Mazda estate boot space is huge and easy to use. Brilliant. An interesting feature is that there is no 'lip' to the boot, which means you can use every inch. i.e. Shopping only need be lifted to the height of the floor. Nothing disappears under your nose as it were. Honda designers watch and learn. No rear wheel housings causing trouble. Seats 'ping' flat. Honda designers and engineers take bl**dy note!
SUMMARY
On balance I love the engines on the Mazdas and would prefer it over my i-CTDI. But I have only managed a rather brief road test of an i-DTEC, which was an auto that clearly had severe faults.
QUESTIONS:
1.How does the manual 2.2 i-DTEC (e.g. the EX or EX GT) compare with:
i) a Mazda 6 2008+
ii) a 2007 Honda Accord
2. What is the Accord Type-S like on motorways?
After my experience with the SL version of the Mazda 6, I am now allergic to anything 'sports' for motorway cruising...
If I bought an accord with 18" alloy rims, would it be realistic to hope to swap them with someone for some 17" alloys for improved motorway comfort (??)
J
P.S. Why do people like privacy glass? it's not a deal breaker, but as per the leather seats, I hate it! From the inside you cant see out properly. Reversing at night is a nightmare. And passengers dont get a proper view out either. And aesthetically it looks kind of elitist, unfriendly and git-like. WTF?
Help! I needs some advice.
Out of desperation, I tried to 'defect' to a Mazda 6 estate 2.2D (diesel) mainly because I couldnt find a used Honda Accord Tourer 2.2 i-DTEC (diesel) that suited me.
BUT, both of the Mazda 6 cars that I have bought this week have serious problems!
i.e. When my local Mazda dealer evaluated each of them, it turns out BOTH of them have serious steering rack problems - which will cost £2300 to repair!
So, under the "Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 and the Sale of Goods Act 1979"
http://www.oft.gov.uk/shared_oft/reports/676408/oft1241.pdf
http://www.oft.gov.uk/shared_oft/reports/676408/oft1242.pdf
... I have already returned the first car to Car Giant, and now it looks like I still have the opportunity to return the second car to Black Horse. [GROAN]
My dilemma is that although Fahad tells me that the Honda Accord is "a much better car than the Mazda 6", how much better?
And is it worth that extra 2 or 3 grand, like for like?
My basic strategy was to buy a young-ish car, look after it and try to get 200K miles from it.
I am looking for cheap, reliable, comfortable, mostly motorway miles.
I need a 0 to 60 time of sub 10 seconds, for safety during over taking (and would probably remap whatever I get to sub 8-9 seconds)
Colour: Blue if humanly possible!
My budget is £10K to £12K.
MAZDA 6 vs HONDA ACCORD
My last car was a 2.2 i-CTDi EX 5d Tourer from 2007 (which v sadly I wrote off). I've only had the Mazda 6 for a few days but here is how I got on:
- A top of the range sporty 185bhp SL Mazda 6 estate was the first car I bought this week (which I handed back today!)
- My current car is the 163bhp TS2 Mazda 6 estate 2010 (EDIT: it may actually be a 2009 model I'll need to check).
- ENGINE NOISE:
On both Mazdas, the engines are smooth very quiet even when revving hard. 'Effortless' acceleration. Rather pleasant sound. Fantastic - and much nicer than my i-DTEC.
I imagine that with a Fahad tweaking they will be amaaaazing.
- ACCELERATION:
The TS2 (163bhp) model: 0 - 60 time of 8.8, way better than Honda's 2.2 i-DTEC 0 -60 time of 9.8s
AND the MPG of 53 is distinctly better than Honda's 50mpg.
The SL (185bhp) model: 0 - 60 time of 8.5s feels seriously quick leaves the Honda for dust.
MPG is 49 i.e. about the same as the Honda.
I suspect the key problem is that the Honda is 8% heavier (1703 versus the Mazda's 1575kg)
To be fair my Honda 2.2 i-CTDI was Fahad remapped to c180BHP, which worked great with good acceleration and pretty good economy. BUT this then required a new lumpy/shuddering 'sports' clutch, which had a horrible gear change in towns. Also the engine was slightly noisy engine under load.
- COMFORT:
Seats: Honda seats are way more comfortable. (Although why to people like leather seats? They are clammy and ****** cold in the winter).
Wind noise: Mazda suffers slightly from noisy wing mirrors. At 70-80 it sounds like you are driving into a wind. Only a bit of a whisper but it'll be annoying on long journeys.
Road/tyre noise: Mazda 6 okay but not brilliant. But way better than my 2007 Honda which IMHO was dreadful (albiet rather better after v quiet tyres).
Supsension:
The SL was hideous on motorways. With 'sports suspension' and 18" tyres feels every goddam bump. Brilliant cornering and good fun on winding roads, but on motorways (where I live) NIGHTMARE.
The TS2 was fine. Moderately good cornering and civilised on motorways. Not as comfortable suspension as my old i-CTDi on motorways. Cornering about the same.
- PRACTICALITY
Mazda wins this hands down. The Mazda estate boot space is huge and easy to use. Brilliant. An interesting feature is that there is no 'lip' to the boot, which means you can use every inch. i.e. Shopping only need be lifted to the height of the floor. Nothing disappears under your nose as it were. Honda designers watch and learn. No rear wheel housings causing trouble. Seats 'ping' flat. Honda designers and engineers take bl**dy note!
SUMMARY
On balance I love the engines on the Mazdas and would prefer it over my i-CTDI. But I have only managed a rather brief road test of an i-DTEC, which was an auto that clearly had severe faults.
QUESTIONS:
1.How does the manual 2.2 i-DTEC (e.g. the EX or EX GT) compare with:
i) a Mazda 6 2008+
ii) a 2007 Honda Accord
2. What is the Accord Type-S like on motorways?
After my experience with the SL version of the Mazda 6, I am now allergic to anything 'sports' for motorway cruising...
If I bought an accord with 18" alloy rims, would it be realistic to hope to swap them with someone for some 17" alloys for improved motorway comfort (??)
J
P.S. Why do people like privacy glass? it's not a deal breaker, but as per the leather seats, I hate it! From the inside you cant see out properly. Reversing at night is a nightmare. And passengers dont get a proper view out either. And aesthetically it looks kind of elitist, unfriendly and git-like. WTF?
