Very good car, but not a great car
- brakes wear easily.
- at times, auto transmission is dim-witted and doesn't know what to do.
- 10L/100-km not that great anymore.
- seats are very comfortable.
- Grey interior a bit boring.
- makes good progress on the freeway.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 17th May, 2008
Great car, stick with the 5 speed manual
The Radio is rubbish - rear speakers do not work and the front speakers keep cutting out.
Buy a 5 speed manual - I see other reviews saying these cars are rubbish - just keep away from the automatics and you will not have any problems.
I often travel between Wellington and Auckland - this car is nice to drive and if I leave with a full tank of petrol from Wellington I arrive in Auckland with about 1/3 tank remaining after 670 km's.
This car has been great in the year that I have owned it - 40000 ks and no problems.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 30th December, 2005
Aweful
The vehicle was parked in our drive way, turned off, when we heard an explosion. Went outside to see massive plumes of smoke and flames coming from the engine bay. Total engine bay was destroyed and car was written off.
Ever since we bought the car it was a poor performer. Transmission never seemed to be in the right gear at the right time. Power delivery was very un-smooth and surgy.
These problems are totally unacceptable for a vehicle of such mileage. Vehicle has only one previous owner who is a close friends of ours.
Appeared to be a nice vehicle, but it turns out we were somewhat wrong. Had we been driving the vehicle when the fire occurred, there may have been a far more grave outcome.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 16th December, 2004
What a totally bizarre incident, I have a Mazda 626 which I've had since new as a company car, then brought it privately off the company. it has done nearly 200,000km's now and is smooth and utterly reliable. Yours must certainly have been a lemon from new. P.S. you should never buy a car of friends or family for that exact reason, if it goes wrong it's very embarrassing!
5th Jul 2008, 18:02
I still own this car - I have done over 220000 kms in it. Still no major problems.
I have just replaced the factory fitted battery and with Petrol up to $2.12 ltr in NZ it is costing me about $90 for 650 kms - not bad!