Mazda 626 Estate (2000 - 2002) 2.0 TD GXi SE 5d (2001/51) Owner Review
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Summary
What does this car say about you?
That I am a bit different, dependable but perhaps think with my head rather than the heart. This car looks a lot more expensive than an £850 purchase though.
What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?
They all think it was a super buy. One friend wondered why he had spent £6k more on an newish Audi Estate when he could have purchased something like this (that does everything the audi can, albeit slower and with less style).
Would you buy this car again and why?
Yes because is was cheap and is reliable. It has enough room for all my junk and is cheap to run. I think I would struggle to find this car again though as I believe this model to be quite rare. Parts prices do not reflect this though.
What are you likely to buy next?
No idea, let's see what my circumstances at the time dictate. I'll probably keep this for at least 2/3 years or might even run it into the ground. I imagine it would last another 10 years if looked after though.
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Buying experience
Type of dealer you bought from?
Independent
Did you buy this car new?
No
What price did you pay?
£850
When did you buy the car?
January 2013
Did you get a good deal and why?
Yes. This was an independent trader who worked from home with a few cars a year. The book value for this car was £1400 and I paid £850 although it did need 4 x new tyres and had a short MOT and tax.
Is there any special reason why you bought this car?
I needed to source a reliable and economical estate car as quickly and cheaply as possible. Given that my parents had always been very happy with their numerous Mazdas and there very few cars matching for sale locally that matched my needs, this seemed like a logical purchase.
What was the dealer like?
Charming, trusting and straightforward.
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Driving it
What's it like to drive?
It's a BIG car but still returns 45-50 mpg but NOT the manufacturers figure of 53mpg. The engine has a lot of torque but compartively little horsepower. It does not accelerate very quickly but crusises and overtakes happily at speeds over 50mph. The car copes very well with hills, often without the need to drop down a gear. I have towed with the car and it was very smooth. The engine can be a little noisy though and road noise is also often heard too. The car is very comfortable for long journeys although the rear seats are harder than the fronts. I have read reports that smaller drivers may be uncomfortable with this car. I am 5'6" and can imagine more pigmy like people would struggle. This is not an engaging drivers car although it handles and grips well enough for its size.
What's it like to park?
The lock is excellent but the car is very long. Given that I am not a magician I sadly cannot fit it into fiesta sized spaces.
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Living with it
Have you had any problems with the car?
It has a small rust patch at the end of one sill but I knowingly bought it like this and my mechanic has looked at the rest of the car and said how solid it is. I have done 8k trouble free miles with it only needing an oil and filter change so far.
What's most practical about your car?
All my passengers comments on how it is VERY big and roomy inside. It is even more spacious inside once the rear seats are folded down flat - ideal for surf boards, bicycles etc etc. The front passenger seat tilts completely forward creating a picnic table (it has a plastic back) or to allow the carriage of exceptionally long items. There are roof bars allowing rails the be easily attached.
Favourite gadget, option or accessory?
It's not exactly a gadget filled car but the reclining rear seats and ambient temp guage are useful.
