Mazda6 Estate: month 7

Arrived: May 2008
List price (including options): £19,490
Average economy: 38.4mpg

The Mazda6 Estate has been -

The 6 has been getting some attention with a service, running up some big miles in one day on a trip to Wales to watch Rally GB and having its keys pinched off me by my girlfriend so she doesn't have to endure the hassle and bitter cold that comes with using tubes and trains to get to work at this time of year.

We're loving the -

I can't fault the Mazda for long journeys. Fill the tank up and point it in the direction of your destination and it winds up big miles with exceptional ease. It's comfortable, too. The boot remains an annex to my home, carrying all sorts of stuff in there. I was reminded just how clever and easy the one-touch folding seats are in the back when I threw my bike - wheels on - in the boot to get me home from the Mazda dealer after I dropped it off for its service. The always-on headlamps lights aren't such an issue now it's winter, but I'm still at a loss as to why Mazda doesn't give you the choice to switch them off.

Pilling Mazda Milton Keynes made getting the 6 serviced an absolute cinch: I booked it online, they called to discuss dates etc. and I dropped it off. It was ready the following day and had been washed inside and out.

But not so impressed by -

It wasn't just the 6 that was cleaned out by the service as my bank balance took a bit of a hammering too. I hadn't bothered to ask how much the first service would be, assuming that it's be well under £200. So when I was called to pick it up and I asked what the damage was the £270 response took me by surprise. That's a lot of money for some oil and a new oil filter. They did a good job scrubbing it, but no better than the £12 job I had done at a hand car wash after bringing half of Wales back from Rally GB on the 6's bodywork.

Having driven lots of other cars lately I've come to realise how hopeless the Mazda's Bluetooth system is in comparison. Nit-picking perhaps, but important if like many 6 drivers your car is an extension of your office.

We're looking forward to -

We're holding onto the Mazda6 over Christmas so it'll be running up and down the country visiting friends and family. It'll no doubt excel at that, the 6 always impressing on longer drives where its comfort really is excellent. Not long after the holidays it'll be heading back to Mazda, and although not perfect the useful 6 will definitely be missed.

Kyle Fortune