Mazda 6 2.0D or Bora TDI?

[unitzero]

Right, :help:

Getting rid of my 06 Ibiza petrol. I need a bigger car as i have 2 kids and a large tent and sometimes my drum kit to shift about. also it would be nice to fit the shopping <i>and</i> the pushchair in the boot!
the 1.4 Ibiza seems fine when i'm in it alone but pop the family in it and get on the motorway and its underpowered and noisy.

and I'm torn between the Bora and the Mazda 6.

I have a budget (loan!) of about 8k and I'm looking at 2004 models with ideally low mileage ie. under 50'000 miles.

I have not test driven either of them as of yet!

Both have a lot going for them:-

I love the understated euro style <b>Bora</b> and with a bit of lowering (35mm apparently so the ARB doesn't rub on exhaust) and a subtle OEM spoiler would look real nice. I have seen the 130 PD Highline (leather + extra bits) Going for between 8 and 9k with between 30-80'000 miles.
I have a vwaudi specialist down the road that can service and remap etc.

Slightly over budget but its a VW.
Cambelt and tensioners at 60'000 miles is expensive.
Some SE spec. models have awful Alan Partridge wooden/walnut dash!

<b>The Mazda</b> looks good with its Japanese pointy styling and crystal light clusters and has more airbags and a fancy rear seat folding arrangement. I think the 6 is actally bigger than the Bora too. TS 2.0 Diesels are going for around 7-8k with between 40-80'000 miles.
No local Mazda specialists so dealer prices for servicing etc.
I read somewhere that the 75'000 service is mega expensive and thats why alot of people are getting rid at about 70'000.


Does anyone have any reccomendations or any experience/knowledge of either car to sway me one way or another? Because at the moment i'm 50/50 on both.

[MalcQV]

I agree I think the 6 is bigger than the Bora.

We have owned/own two Mazdas, one was a 323F (89) and the other from new and we still own is an MX5. Faultless cars and never had problems with them.
The MX5 has only got 26k and servicing is as cheap with the dealer as it is with a local garage.

I am biased as I have had a good number of Japanese cars. The other weekend when I came down in the morning to find the Passat full of water in the rear passenger foot well I was ready to go to the nearest Mazda/Honda dealer and look for a 6/Accord. Got over that now

Thing to do is go drive both the cars back to back. I can't imagine anyone of them are bad.

[Eshrules]

although i will always be biased towards VAG, i have to admit mazdas are nice cars and if i were to move away from VAG, they would probably be the one brand to finish it for me.

i have driven my mates dad's mazda 5 i beleive with a 2.0 tdi lump in that and the car was beautiful to drive, the seats were firm, but supportive in the right places, the gear shift was perfectly positioned, there is excellent field of view and it is very hard to tell the car is a diesel.

the shift between gears was so smooth too, i was suprised at how easily the car could be driven.

hmmm, now you have actually got me thinking....

but i presume there is a fair price difference between the 'similar' models in the bora and the mazda 6?

[Sam]

I'd have said the Bora right up until you mentioned prams and drums.

The boot is huge but the opening is pathetic - it's the one thing I hate about my Passat.

I'd have to either recommend a Golf or Passat estate.

[Eshrules]

I'd have said the Bora right up until you mentioned prams and drums.

The boot is huge but the opening is pathetic - it's the one thing I hate about my Passat.

I'd have to either recommend a Golf or Passat estate.

i must admit, thats the one thing i love about my golf (although not an estate) it has a huge boot and is surprisingly roomy inside once the seats are taken out, ive had 2 mountain bikes in the golf before, with room to spare.

[unitzero]

Drums are not really a problem at the moment as i'm "between bands" and it can usually be split between members. I remember fitting the whole kit along with 3 guys in my mates peugeot 106 when i bought the thing! a rather uncomfortable ride down the M6 was has by all!

I'm getting the knack of fitting the pushchair in the Ibiza diagonally and slamming the boot to make it fit

Its mostly UK holidays and weekends away camping etc that'll need the boot space as its usually just me back and forth to work etc.
Thats why i'd like to like to lower it a tad for when i can give it a bit of right foot on the roundabouts and corners on the way to work.

[The Stagg]

Ive owned two Mazdas in the past and they are very reliable and good to drive, I don't think the diesel is overly economical compared to some others but its hardly thirsty. I think i read somewhere that its the same/similar platform as the MX-5, which is obviously a great drivers car. The 6 is definitely bigger than the Bora, and i'd have to say they look more modern.

[Sam]

Drums are not really a problem at the moment as i'm "between bands" and it can usually be split between members. I remember fitting the whole kit along with 3 guys in my mates peugeot 106 when i bought the thing! a rather uncomfortable ride down the M6 was has by all!

I'm getting the knack of fitting the pushchair in the Ibiza diagonally and slamming the boot to make it fit

Its mostly UK holidays and weekends away camping etc that'll need the boot space as its usually just me back and forth to work etc.
Thats why i'd like to like to lower it a tad for when i can give it a bit of right foot on the roundabouts and corners on the way to work.

Then I'd say the Bora may work - it's a mini Passat, have a look at mine in my link, I've lowered it and fitted a strut brace, those roundabouts and corners are fun