Given that the conversation has, momentarily and not unreasonably, moved to NCAP following my refence to the new Duster, perhaps it would have been equally pertinent to comment on the other model I mentioned .... the Mazda CX30.  It has a rather commendable set of figures to its name and if I may snip a quote from elsewhere ...... exceptional 99 per cent score in the Adult Occupant category – making the Mazda CX-30 the first vehicle to ever achieve this near-perfect score. It also earned maximum points for frontal full-width impact, as well as the maximum for both barrier and pole side impacts.         But whilst the Dacia's less than stunning NCAP rating was picked up (understandably enough)  no-one here took any notice of that. For those that take notice of the NCAP ratings I'd have thought the Mazda figures were pretty outstanding.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited 11 January, 20251 yr by oldstan

Very good.

 

We also had a look at Mazdas last January (before getting our latest Yeti) and they 're very good value, with usually good dealers. What put us off was that the used values drop off a proverbial cliff after a few more years (unlike the Yeti), into not quite banger territory.

 

I had a long look at the CX60 AWD diesel for myself but it's got suspension issues that made me think twice (it's had 2 upgrades since launch and still not sorted).

 

To be honest, every car purchase is a compromise and the perfect car doesn't exist. Yet. 😃

I honestly wasn't aware of Mazdas having lowere residuals than would be hoped for.

 

I got the impression, from what I read, that they were a bit of a cut above some others when it came to refinement and/or build quality but have no first hand experience.

 

I saw on one or two forum type things that some thought the interior materilsl scratched easily  (the piano black plastics etc) and others thought the exterior paint wasn't as good a quality as other manufacturers .... but that's only what I read.

 

I did sit in a CX30 and the seating position didn't feel right for me and I left the showroom, but that's neither here nor there.

 

If Toyota sold the Corolla Cross in the UK then I'd have gone and had a look at that.  I particularly like the fact that they are prepared to offer a longer warranty than the three years you get with many others. Even Dacia have a similar scheme to Toyota. 

 

The Niro ticks a good few boxes.  The Kamiq looks reasonable and I see some substantial discounts at Carfile and Drivethe Deal.

 

Anyway, that's more thanh enough from me.

Mazda's have generally been very well engineered and put together but they have had a few engine issues over the last few years which I think have been resolved now but have hit Thier second hand value a bit.

 

Did you look at the Vitara or were they too small?

Don't wish to barge into this  and am not sure if

39 minutes ago, skomaz said:

Mazda's have generally been very well engineered and put together but they have had a few engine issues over the last few years which I think have been resolved now but have hit Thier second hand value a bit.

 

Did you look at the Vitara or were they too small?

 

 

Don't want to barge in here,  and not absolutely sure if you mean't the above for me ... but if so ....  I have looked long and hard at the Vitara but would want an automatic and I stand to be corrected but strongly suspect they've gone over to single clutch automated manual (I think they call it ASG).

 

I have the DSG in my Yeti and it's fine  (it's a 2011 car so later ones might be better still) .  I wouldn't say no to another twin clutch although ideally from Hyundai/Kia rather than VAG. I wouldn't say no to a CVT or a conventional Torque Converter and if it were a full hybrid then, of course, it would have whatever full hybrids come with. But I wouldn't have an ASG type transmission.

 

And it's pointless me saying that the Yeti ticks all the boxes for obvious reasons.  There's nothing wrong with mine but I wish I'd bought one of the last models to be made.

1 hour ago, oldstan said:

There's nothing wrong with mine but I wish I'd bought one of the last models to be made.

Be prepared to travel ! I had an 8 hour round trip last February for our registered Dec 2017,delivered Jan 2018 Yeti in the spec we wanted.

Point taken, Prez.  I did actually mean that I wish I'd bought a new one when they were still available.  But I didn't.🙁

 

I have a very slight nagging concern that if the DSG did fail then it might write the car off.  I don't actually know how much a major repair would be and I don't know what my car is worth.  It's low mileage and immaculate but it's still a 2011 1.2 petrol Yeti DSG.

I would worry about it if and when it happens, and not before. 

 

DSG can be fixed by independent Skoda / VW/ Audi specialists. I once bought a new DSG clutch pack just in case, for the Yeti we had with the highest mileage. Never needed it and sold it on eBay !

 

 

 

 

13 hours ago, Prezafab said:

I would worry about it if and when it happens, and not before. 

 

DSG can be fixed by independent Skoda / VW/ Audi specialists. I once bought a new DSG clutch pack just in case, for the Yeti we had with the highest mileage. Never needed it and sold it on eBay !

 

 

I can easily imagine myself doing something like that.

 

Who would have fitted yours had it been needed?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13 hours ago, Prezafab said:

Forgve me, I messed up the reply, as you can see. I can't, now, get rid of this blue box.

 

 

 

 

Edited 13 January, 20251 yr by oldstan

25 minutes ago, oldstan said:

 

 

I can easily imagine myself doing something like that.

 

Who would have fitted yours had it been needed?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Any reputable specialist who looks after VW Group cars. They just wouldn't warrant the part but provided you supply the correct OEM supplier clutch pack, (possibly Sachs from memory) the majority would just be happy charging you for the Labour / diagnostics / adaption / set up.

Right you are.