Mazda 6 Estate Or Octavia Estate?

[notamondayfan 44]

Hey guys,

 

Finally sold my 207, so following on from my previous thread on buying a family car, I'm going to look at 2 cars tomorrow, and would like your opinions on them.

 

1st is a 2004 Mazda 6 Silver TS 136 bhp Diesel estate http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140516841971&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

 

2nd is a 2004 Skoda Octavia 1.9 TDI PD Elegance http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280671742948&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

 

 

Both diesel, FSH, long MOT, the only real difference between them is the 6 has done 30k more, and is £750 cheaper.

 

The Octavia had a new timing belt at 60k, and has more goodies and looks like the better car, but the Mazda is chain belt, looks better and is cheaper.

 

 

As I have no experience of either of these cars, I'm after some experiences and advice please!

 

 

Thanks, Dean

[Tom Fenton 1,542]

The Octavia has the older 1.9 TDi PD engine that is practically bombproof, thats a good start, but personally (as an Audi A4 owner) when I drive the "other" VAG marques such as Seat and Skoda I feel a little bit let down.

 

Mazda a renowned for reliability, so I reckon you could do a lot worse. My GF's cousin had one for 4 years and never had to do anything but service it.

[swordfish210 20]

The guy who does my MOT's has a Mazda 6 and has nothing but good things to say about it, reckons it's the best all round car he's ever owned.

[madspikes 41 1 Cars]

I had an old Mazda 626, it just wont die! Just serviced it... oh and changed a rear drop link! The old mazda was the most reliable cheapest to run car I've ever owned, but also the dullest.. strangely the 205 at the other end of the spectrum.

 

Something to think about is that the mazda pictured has a tow bar... Might be worth finding out what, and how much its been towing...

 

Mad

[omega 82]

heard good reports of the skoda[but never driven one] but i hate dealers that say viewing by appontment only always makes me think they hidding something.

Edited May 23, 2011 by omega

[allye 530 3 Cars]

Mazda 6 is a great looking car that drives really well. Skoda is blandy blandvill and not a looker! If you buy a skoda it's got to have green calipers!

[Miles 331 1 Cars]

Mazda without a doubt, Good build, Good rep and not known as a posh Skip which Skoda are now, Having been in both the 6 is 99% better all round and will keeps its value better too

[Anthony 1,003]

Another vote for the Mazda here - does everything well from my limited experience of them. The only blot is the comparative lack of Mazda dealers around the country, but a 2004 car is old enough that you'd probably not be taking it to the dealer for servicing and general repairs, so even that's not too much of an issue.

 

The engine in the Octavia I quite like (for a diesel anyway) and it's punchy and extremely frugal, but whilst I'm not a badge snob, I can't help but think that the Octavia feels distinctly low-rent compared to the other VAG marques and - assuming they're the same as the ones that my father had in his ~2000/2001 model - has what must be the most uncomfortable seats I know of in a modern car. Odd, because the equivalents from other VAG marques are all generally pretty good, but the Octavia ones were akin to sitting on a park bench for hours

[notamondayfan 44]

Great stuff, I was hoping the vote would swing towards the Mazda, it is a far better looking car!!

 

I'll be looking at these two tomorrow...

 

1.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Just-68-000-2003-03-Mazda-6-Estate-TS2-Leather-Sat-Nav-/220779099860?_trksid=p5197.m7&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D5%26po%3DLVI%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D138084382536047838

 

low millage, loads of goodies, but looks like quite a lot of faults, should I be wary that the stitching on the seat is loose even though it only says 68k? Also is there anyway of telling if the aircon works when it needs a re-gas?

 

2.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201119387123952/sort/pricedesc/usedcars/body-type/estate/price-to/4000/price-from/2000/model/mazda6/make/mazda/page/1/postcode/hd88hu/radius/40?logcode=p

 

lower spec, but looks tidier, but it's missing some history.

 

By the way, does anyone know if these are belt or chain timing? Some sites say either.

 

Cheers, Dean

[madspikes 41 1 Cars]

Wack the AC on its coldest setting, and blower on full.... Air coming out should be 2 - 4 C so proper cold.

 

Mad