Cheap used car: Mazda 6 or Accord?

[CzechRich]

I'm after a cheap used petrol big hatchback Japanese car for around 3-4 grand.

Which would you chose and why, the Mazda 6 or the Honda Accord?

I've heard the following:

Accord: Reliable but boring, although good to drive.

Mazda 6: Fairly reliable, very good to drive, a little noisy cruising, potentially some clutch issues.

Any opinions appreciated.

[Evil Twin]

mazda 6 !!! Excellent car get the TS2 or the sport and I garauntee you will be pleased

[hammie]

the mazda 6 has issues with oil and it ****s the engine mate

[CzechRich]

the mazda 6 has issues with oil and it ****s the engine mate

What happens hammie? Does it just need more frequent oil changes? Thats not the diesel is it? I've heard the diesels have quite a few serious problems.

[Shiny]

£4k will see you an Accord Type R. Far from boring ;)

[CzechRich]

£4k will see you an Accord Type R. Far from boring ;)

Unfortunately cant stretch to insure a Type R, just a 2 litre SE or SE Exec, good old Swindon built Honda eh?

[Shiny]

Indeed, although they aren't building much at the moment!

[Andy M]

My mate bought a Mazda 6 sport 2.3. It went into the garage about 4 times because it was leaking oil from the crank seal. It got replaced and after 3 times it still leaks, and it has a problem where it hesitates under acceleration now and again. Apparently its due to a PCV valve that gets blocked, but he changed that and it still leaks from the crank.

Nice car apart from that though.

[bidderman1969]

What happens hammie? Does it just need more frequent oil changes? Thats not the diesel is it? I've heard the diesels have quite a few serious problems.

thought the diesels were the same as the Mondeo's?

[runboy]

Why not the Toyota Avensis?

I would say Camry too, but that ain't a hatch!

[Bigpikle]

Accord - great Honda reliability and a quality car that was better than the 6 when launched. They're cheap'ish to run as well.

I drove a Mazda and was really unimpressed with the lightweight plasticky feel...

[Dunkwho]

There's a dinged accord estate for £400 on the www.itr-dc2.com forum - suffered some damage on 1 side, potentially perfect for a detailing project :)

http://www.itr-dc2.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=58132&highlight=accord

[RoverIain]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1999-Mazda-626-Silver_W0QQitemZ350132138955QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAut omobiles_UK?hash=item350132138955&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2%7C65%3A7%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318
What about a 626? The later ones are quite nice looking.Well within budget and you would have a few quid left over to spend on more cleaning gear!

[CzechRich]

Cheers for all the replies Guys.

I have to confess, I had a 2000 Accord 1.8 back in 2004. It was very reliable and good to drive, just a little bland, but the Mazda 6 seems to have a few issues, I will test drive one though to see if its better to drive.

[PJS]

If you're looking at the Accord models from 2003 onwards, then they are no longer the bland brand you remember in 2004.

4K buys a higher mileage unit, but you shouldn't have too much to contend with, although have the front bushes checked out thoroughly, and make sure the A/C works fully.