Faults:

Had to change a rattly water pump after 1 week's usage, but no problems since, touch wood.

General Comments:

Car had been stored in old man's garage for 13 years!

Practically brand new, still has that 'new smell' in the cabin.

Changed all the belts, full service, 1 new tyre (still running on 3 originals in perfect nick), removed mice nest from air filter & repaired various gnawed tubing/ wiring.

Started up & runs like a dream, purrs like a kitten. Excellent value for a second car.

Genuine 9500 miles on the clock.

Interior bit boring.

Sound system plain, but very good speakers.

Comfortable ride but handling could be firmed up (lowered springs perhaps needed).

Not used to petrol consumption, seems excessive (used to driving turbo diesels).

Faults:

Had some issues when acquired at 94k miles, replaced gas struts in rear hatch, new brake pads and bushes etc. New clutch. Resprayed because red tends to fade badly.

Always trouble once or twice a year with Handbrake slacking off and needing to be tightened.

Seats are quite worn, hard to clean, LX spec is low, but seats are comfortable and all switches etc are well placed around cabin.

General Comments:

Excellent build quality, beautiful rear spoiler and rear light bodywork.

Cabin is quite boring in colour, but functions very well. No electrical faults.

Engine is very good, 105 bhp, quick through the gears, but 5th is a cruising gear only, has moderate acceleration in it.

Fuel consumption was quite good, I drove 200 miles on a long run once a week, another 100-150 miles around the city (mostly on dual-carriageways), returning around 36 mpg overall, so not bad.

Highly recommended.

Faults:

It looks solid but it's a complete tin, the hatchback version is very light, it's like having a cart joined to the car.

Performance is OK, the bushes wear out quickly and the parts are not cheap. I would rather buy a Merc as part prices are not far off.

The wishbone bushes went, the link broke.

General Comments:

Overall a complete hollow tin. Don't buy if you ask me. It shakes on the motorway at 90mph, when even the tyres are OK, balanced and not any mechanical fault. The reason is that the body is a light tin, it does not carry any weight behind to even the balance.

Faults:

Handbrake rear caliber problems - failing to work.

Power-steering leak.

General Comments:

Overall another superb car from Mazda. No problems to worry about considering the high milege. A joy to drive and top speed of 124 mph isn't bad considering it's an automatic.