• Summary

    3 out of 5 3.0

    What does this car say about you?

    Watch out behind, I'm about to break down!

    What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

    They love it to look at. They haven't got to live with it. friends becoming annoyed I'm often late.

    Would you buy this car again and why?

    Oh good god no!! Less reliable than a chocolate teapot.

    What are you likely to buy next?

    Now drive a new shape Celica. Slower, but handles better and has never let me down.

  • Buying experience

    3 out of 5 3.0

    Type of dealer you bought from?

    Independent

    Did you buy this car new?

    No

    What price did you pay?

    £3,500

    When did you buy the car?

    May 2004

    Did you get a good deal and why?

    Good buy price - £3500 for a spotless car with just 50,000 miles.

    Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

    Always fancied one of these, I love the looks and thought Mazda/Ford would make a reliable combination......

    What was the dealer like?

    Fine

  • Driving it

    5 out of 5 5.0

    What's it like to drive?

    Lovely when it works.

    What's it like to park?

    Fine. Rear visibility surprisingly good.

  • Living with it

    2 out of 5 2.0

    Have you had any problems with the car?

    Yes. Probably easier to answer about anything that hasn't gone wrong!! The headlights refused to pop up within a couple of months, then the immobilizer kept cutting the engine out mid journey, then a new distributer was needed because the car wouldn't start, then the fuel pump failed. When it started needing 6 or 7 attempts to start each time, I part exchanged it as quick as I could!

    What's most practical about your car?

    When it worked, it was a lovely drive. Very powerful and fast. Huge boot for a car like this.

    Favourite gadget, option or accessory?