Left my sensible (tight) head behind....

[gbb]

For the first time in a long time.
Astra J 1.6, been a really good basic car, cost us nowt in real terms over 5 years, excellent vfm but...boring and a fair but underpowered. Time for something new...

Mazda 3 2.0 Sport Nav, my first Japanese car.

It's freekin lovely, weirdly it's cheaper VED than the Astra despite the bigger engine and on a quick run up the A1M today, averaged almost 55mpg at just under 70 mph.
Everything is so easy to use, satnav is easy to setup, lovely interior and I always liked that sweeping body style.

 

[DCLane]

Erm ... that's still a 'sensible' head. Try these two I bought:

and

Now that's leaving your sensible head behind

 

[glasgowcyclist]

weirdly it's cheaper VED than the Astra

Weirdly, your car is showing as untaxed😳. Check your documentation before plod’s or DVLA’s ANPR pings you!

 

[gbb]

Talbot Samba ?

 

[gbb]

Taxed yesterday late afternoon at the sellers, probably not made it onto the system yet

 

[DCLane]

Talbot Samba ?

Yes. Bought for £750 without telling SWMBO , sold for £200 after the engine broke 6 weeks later. It's now in France and worth probably £5000

The SAAB's down south these days. If I was able to drive it it'd still be mine but I have to sit higher due to my accident 5 years ago.

 

[tyred]

Enjoy your Mazda. Looks nice.

 

[tyred]

Erm ... that's still a 'sensible' head. Try these two I bought:

View attachment 597210
and
View attachment 597211

Now that's leaving your sensible head behind

I would so love that Samba. It would sit well alongside my 205.

I think I'm the crazy one here when my dream garage contains things like 205s, 104s, Sambas, Citroen Visa, 2CV, Ami 6, Renault 4TL, Dauphine, (original model) 5, VW Beetle, Ford Prefect...

Most people dream of Ferrari and Aston Martin s whereas I have a love of cheap, cheerful and quirky cars!

Most people wa

 

[Drago]

Im not a car person at heart, but aleays had a soft spot for the Samba and 104 rag tops.

Thats a nice sensible hatch @gbb Comfortable, economical, likely reliable, inexpensive to run. Perfect.

 

[JtB]

This was my non-sensible car that I got for celebrating my mid life crisis.

Next to no space in the back or the boot and only 40mpg, but fun (well as fun as a car can be given that cars don’t really “float my boat”).

 

[gzoom]

Mazda 3 2.0 Sport Nav, my first Japanese car.

Mazdas are fab (and very sensible), we have this on the driveway, its 12 years old, have yet to break down, everything electrical still works, and has a massive boot. Looks after it and it'll last you a long time!!

I can even fit in the bike inside and still carry my daughter around!

 

[gbb]

62 mpg over a 15 mile commute,(mostly on the A1M tbf), driving at 60mph.
2 ltr naturally aspirated, you'd scarcely believe it really.

60 on the motorway seems slow tbf, it's my 20 minute relax after work, I'm on no rush.

Very pleasing...

 

[BoldonLad]

For the first time in a long time.
Astra J 1.6, been a really good basic car, cost us nowt in real terms over 5 years, excellent vfm but...boring and a fair but underpowered. Time for something new...
View attachment 597205

View attachment 597206

View attachment 597207
Mazda 3 2.0 Sport Nav, my first Japanese car.

It's freekin lovely, weirdly it's cheaper VED than the Astra despite the bigger engine and on a quick run up the A1M today, averaged almost 55mpg at just under 70 mph.
Everything is so easy to use, satnav is easy to setup, lovely interior and I always liked that sweeping body style.

Have owned several Mazdas ( two 3s a 2 and a MX5). Absolutely no complaints, totally reliable, and the MX5 took us all over Europe (Spain, Italy, Portugal, France, Czech Republic, Germany).

Enjoy!

 

[stephec]

I had a Mazda 6 on a 52 plate as a company car when they first came out, the 2.0l petrol engine was lovely, and for a big car it went round corners really well.

 

[gbb]

It makes you realise ssomething regarding the manufacturers claims re fuel economy. The Mazda 3 states Extra Urban at 65 mpg . I think to achieve that figure (if youre really careful) you need to think thats what it can achieve once its at cruising speed, NOT an overall figure including startup, accelleration, getting to cruising speed. The 62 above didnt include about a mile of travel, startup, acceleration, getting to cruising speed...i was resetting stuff as i set off so it didnt include that.
But nevertheless, it shows manufacturers claims can be achievable (or damn near)