Make: Mazda
Model: 5
Year: 2008
Mileage: 35'000
Engine size: 2.0 TDi 143ps
Colour: Metallic Silver
Specification: Sport

If you're a driver that now got to find space for children, pets, toys, buggies, snot, sick, etc... This Mazda5 Sport is the people carrier for you. At a glance, no-one can argue that this is an ugly car with the sporty spoilers and side skirts. It almost looks like a sports car... Well, almost! There are 4 specs, the TS, TS2, Furano, and Sport tested here. All offer something for every price range so you're not going to be disappointed.

Practicality;
All versions come with 7 seats, sliding rear doors for easy access, a large boot and 2 middle-row picnic tables. You can easily get 7 people in the car too... As long as the middle seat occupier of the middle-row is of slender nature! On the more posh versions, the Sport Lux, the rear sliding doors are electrically operated and can be opened by the key fob. This is a nice gadget and something I would have liked to have shown off to my mates down the pub, sadly not on the car I tested. With the third-row seats folded into the boot space, there is a large enough space for family holiday luggage and Sunday trips to the tip. Having said this, as the seats fold into the boot floor, the level of the boot is quite high and dogs can easily jump of the middle-row seats. Something I learned very quickly with my Lab and Retriever!! This was easily remedied by raising the head rests. There are other more practical MPV's out there, but the Mazda5 isn't bad at all.

Performance and handling;
Having not tested any other engines available, I can't compare this to the rest. But what I can say is this is a corker. This 2.0 TDi 143ps doesn't sound all that much, but with 266 lb ft of torque, it certainly feels quicker than its 0-62 time of 11seconds. Considering it's a diesel, I was surprised on how wide the torque band was too, pulling all the way up through to 5'000 rpm. Also, as the Mazda5 is a large MPV, you may have thought that it wouldn't cope with being hurled around the B-Roads of South Devon, but it actually does! All this has a very negative effect on your wallet however. My parents' went through a set of front tyres in 7'000 miles... Yes, 7'000 miles. This is a known problem with the 5's tracking and Mazda aren't overly apologetic about that fact. Moreover, it isn't what you would call economic. On a run up to Cardiff, mostly motorway, it averaged a measly 32 mpg. However, this is by far the best handling and sportiest people carrier for the price.

Value for money;
In comparison to other similar cars, like the VW Touran, the Mazda5 does not carry the same brand identity, and second hand prices show this. However, Sport Lux versions will command a higher price tag reflecting the increased specification.

Overall;
I believe this to be one of the best looking MPV's out there on the market, new and old, and therefore recommend this for those who want something stylish... And, maybe, a bit sporty in the Sport spec. One could argue, not the most practical in comparison to rivals, but a damn good car that will please any who is fortunate to drive it.

Volkswagen Passat SE 1.9 TDi 105ps

Make: Volkswagen
Model: Passat Saloon
Year: 2006
Mileage: 79'000
Engine size: 1.9 TDi 105ps
Colour: Blue
Specification: SE

The 'eco' diesel in the Passat family is actually not a bad choice as you get all the niceties of the bigger more powerful versions but with the fuel economy of a hybrid Toyota Prius. This particular model came with an electric sunroof, electric drivers seat and front&rear parking sensors. All this came in at an interesting £4500 at a local garage in South Devon.

I was a bit unsure about the lack of power when I first got into this measly 105ps diesel, and I'm sorry to say that my preconceptions were right. Taking the best part of 12s to get to 62mph, it will always feel sluggish without the normal diesel ability to overtake. Having only a 5speed manual gearbox, motorway cruising can become tiresome over long distances as the engine feels pushed when going over 65mph, although the benefit of this is amazing fuel economy. I have achieved in the region of 55+mpg on a run up the M5. I really feel that this car is not a drivers car as it lacks the performance to go with the surprising handling and ride. Therefore, I would choose the 2.0 TDi 140ps over this engine as there is a better balance between fuel economy and power.

As for the exterior, it is the usual Germanic styling with a slight twist. The saloon is actually a very good looking car and I love the rear light clusters with their LED lights. The chrome trims on this SE really set the car off further. As will all VW's of this period, the Passat has the iconic chrome front grill that looks very pretty.

Going on to the interior, the dashboard is a wash with high quality plastics and metals. This SE comes with an electric drivers seat, cruise control and a good sounding stereo. I think this is the pick of the bunch in terms of spec. as it gives you all the gadgets you need to impress down the pub, but is more affordable than the pricey Sport. In the rear, it becomes more crampt than the larger estate due to the sloping roof line. However, there is still room to seat 3 slightly slender adults or 2 more comfortably. With respect for the boot, its massive again. You can actually fit 2 grown men in there... Yes, I have tried!!! The aperture to get things in and out is smaller than you would expect, so can be a bit of a hassle to get bulky items in and out of the boot.

Overall, this Passat should be considered if fuel economy is of great importance to you. If not, opt for the more rapid 2.0 TDi 140ps, a far more refined engine. I am actually looking at a saloon Passat for my next car as I love them so much, so if you find any nice ones, let me know!!!

Volkswagen Passat Highline 2.0 TDi 140ps DSG

Make: Volkswagen
Model: Passat Estate
Year: 2009
Mileage: 80'000
Engine size: 2.0 140ps TDi DSG
Colour: Metallic Black
Specification: Highline

Seeing as though this car had driven a large number of miles in such a short space of time, I was pleasantly surprised to see that all the beige leather was in perfect condition, the gearbox was still as tight as a nut and felt like it had just rolled out of the factory!

I'm a big fan of this Passat, especially being in the highline spec. and with the beautiful DSG 'box. The 2.0 TDi 140ps engine is definitely the right choice for this estate model as it is no slouch, getting to 62mph in around 10s, and has the fuel economy to please all long-distance drivers. Although the 6spd manual is a better bet for motorway driving, the DSG has to be considered as a real alternative to the standard manual as it is ever so smooth and actually makes the car quicker. The electric handbrake had been upgraded to include auto-hold on this particular car which makes crawling up hills much easier. Being a large car, the Passat will not woo you in the corners but will not run away and hide every time you show it a country B-Road! I prefer the ride and handling in this in comparison to rivals such as the Honda Accord and Ford Mondeo as it has more of a luxury feel and makes you feel that little bit 'posher'.

As for the interior, this Highline model came with full beige leather and heated front seats. As with the SE, the drivers seat has a 4-way electric lumber support and is partially electric itself. There is masses of space in every seat so can easily cater for five fully grown adults. The boot is cavernous, being 1641 litres, so you will find it hard to fill it on regular usage! This car is well 'speced' too having cruise control, front&rear parking sensors, rain-sensing wipers, on-board computer and handsfree. In comparison to competitors however, you will get more for your money if you opt for Japanese cars. Having said this, one cannot complain that it is baron of gadgets!

I particularly like the styling of this Mk6 Passat as it looks contemporary and more upmarket than others. The larger 17" Highline alloy wheels set the black metallic paint off and wouldn't look out of place parked in-front of a stately home.

On the contrary, I'm not a big fan of the upmarket price tag that follows all second hand VW's. Also, the interior space isn't quite that of rivals.

Overall, I love this model of Passat and will be personally considering one when I come to change my current Bora. The 'posh' feel you get from this car is immense and you will never be disappointed with your purchase.

PS: Look around for the best deal, even if it means travelling half-way across the country as you can save yourself a heap of money!!

Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0 TDi 170 SE

Make: Volkswagen
Model: Tiguan
Year: 2012
Mileage: 16'000
Engine size: 2.0 170ps TDi
Colour: Titanium Beige
Specification: SE



Having had a minor facelift, of which the lights and front bumper changed, it is still the same car underneath with the same original engines as released in 2008. As with all current and previous VW's, build quality and interior materials are of a very high standard and really set it apart from rivals such as the Ford Kuga and Nissan Qashqai. Of late, the standard specification on Volkswagen's have been improving and this SE spec. comes with the new Park Assist System, auto-hold with the electric handbrake and 2-zone Climate Control. Despite much criticism over the electric handbrakes on cars nowadays, I actually like them in every day use and really help with the dreaded hill-start! I went for the 170ps 2.0 Turbo-Diesel as it offers a bit more torque, 258lbft, over the standard 140ps, 236lbft. This really comes in handy when overtaking and powering up steep inclines. Having said that, even the more powerful feels sluggish at times and could do with just that little extra. Then again, the Tiguan isn't meant to be a sports car! Being 6ft 5", I find there is loads of room in every seat, and it is a proper 5 seater as there are 3 three-point seatbelts in the rear. The dash-board is well laid out and the on-board computer, as seen on nearly all higher 'speced.' VW's now, is clear and has all the information you need. As for fuel economy, Volkswagen say that this engine should achieve close to 50mpg on a combined drive, but the reality is generally 38-40.

The Tiguan is aimed at families craving the new SUV experience and it delivers in every aspect. There is enough space to fit 3 children happily in the back, heaps of room to get all the essentials for holiday's and trips to the beach in the boot and wipe-down plastics after those nasty spills of drinks and food! However, one could say that the boot lip is quite high making it difficult to get heavier items or pets in and out of the boot.

All in all, the Volkswagen Tiguan is the pick of the SUV's of the moment and is very affordable on VW's contract hire schemes. Despite the negatives of the boot and the occasional lack of power, every person wanting this type of car should seriously consider the Tiguan and test drive it too. A Volkswagen will never let you down!

Volkswagen Bora Highline 1.9 130ps TDi

Make: Volkswagen
Model: Bora
Year: 2004
Mileage: 83'000
Engine size: 1.9 TDi 130ps
Colour: Silver
Specification: Highline







Well, my first thought of the Bora was pretty much a Golf made less practical and a whole load more boring! But this is not the case. After driving it for about 4'000 miles now on a variety of country lanes, B-roads and motorways, I can truthfully say that the 1.9 130ps TDi engine has a lot of guts and pulls like a train once on the move. In my opinion, I find the Bora better to drive than the Golf due to the wider track and 'beefed' up suspension. You are not going to be disappointed on a windy road up over the moors! Cruising at an average of approx. 70-80 mph on the motorway, I'm achieving in the range of 52mpg plus. This is a little below what VW specify, but it's still very good for a car that is nearly 10 years old. The one thing that I really like about the Bora is it's only insurance group 8 so it is 'affordable' to insure unlike its sister the Golf coming in in group 13. As for the spec. of this Highline model, is very high and got nearly all the gadgets that the new Jetta comes with. For example; heated leather seats, rain-sensing wipers, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, 6 speed gearbox, air-conditioning, height adjustable driver/passenger seats, 6 CD stacker, on-board dash computer, to name but a few.
However, the Bora isn't without its faults (like any car!). For starters, the although the boot is large enough to accommodate nearly everything bar the kitchen sink, the aperture is a little small with a high lip on so makes getting large bulky items in a problem. Secondly, as is with 99% of all saloons, the roof line towards the rear slopes down making the rear seats crampt and without much head-room. Also, there is only a lap-belt in the centre rear seat so this is only a 4 seater with the occasional 5 on short journeys. Lastly, because this has the VAG Pumpe-Deuse Diesel power plant, they are prone to eating through clutches and are not cheap to replace.
Having said that, the Volkswagen Bora is a truly pleasurable car to drive and live with. I have recommended it to several friends and family and everyone who has driven it is surprised with the 'get-up-and-go' that the engine provides. The Bora provides you with the extra luxuries of classier saloons without the price-tag to match. In my eyes, a real C-Class and 3-Series competitor.

Ford Fiesta 1.4 16V Ghia Review

Make: Ford
Model: Fiesta
Year: 1996
Mileage: 65000 miles
Engine size: 1.4 16v
Colour: Blue
Specification: Ghia






Wow, this is one quick car... I never knew an engine so small could propell something that fast! Not only is this a pocket rocket, but it also has all the big car gadgets from its older brothers the Focus and Mondeo. Mine is the Ghia which has front electic windows, CD player, manual sunroof, remote central locking, and a height adjustable drivers seat to name but a few. This car is a real step-up from the previous model and had become a much more desireable car and less of a glorified go-kart. If you want something with a bit of get up and go, then this is the car for you but only if you can afford the eye watering insurance costs, if you're a young driver, and the less than practical small fuel tank coupled with abismal fuel consumption. I worked out that I'm getting, bearing in mind I live in the middle of nowhere doing lots of short trips, a cool 25 mpg which bearly gets above 30 on a long run... Really not good enough Ford. Having said this, it is mighty good fun! I paid very good money for mine, only £800 with full Ford dealership service history and very low mileage making the Fiesta good value for money for the cash-strapped people of 21st Century Britain. If you're looking for a practical car however, look elsewhere as the back seats have next to no legroom and it lacks that all important third 3 point rear seatbelt. Also, with only one airbag, it's not going to be overly safe! Having said this, visibility is good compared to competitors and is incredibly easy to park so if you want a small, cheap, fast car... The Ford Fiesta 1.4 16v is the car for you! 

Renault Clio 1.1 16V Dynamique Review

Make: Renault
Model: Clio
Year: 2002
Mileage: 110000
Engine size: 1.1 16v
Colour: Metallic Black
Specification: Dynamique







Bits I really like: The first thing that struck me when I laid my hand on this beauty of a car is how incredibly well 'speced' it is and how good it actually looks! In-dash computer (mpg, average speed, miles left on tank, etc), front fog lights, steering wheel controls for the stereo, electric heated door mirrors, and about a million (4) airbags to name but a few. As for the engine, it's a corker... Surprisingly gutsy considering it's only a 1149cc and will get you to 60 in around 13 seconds, but feels a lot quicker due to the 16 valves. As a result of the small capacity, it makes the insurance just about affordable for first time drivers with it only being group 3. Therefore, I would have to reccomend this engine for younger drivers who do enjoy a slight power advantage over similar cars. I recently took mine up to Birmingham from sunny South Devon, a round-trip of about 350 miles, which it took in its stride. I wasn't exactly going slow either averaging a decent 80-85 whilst still returning a remarkable 45 mpg (what the computer said!). Although the Clio isn't built for trawling up and down the motorways, it really is not out of its comfort zone as the engine is very quiet at 4000rpm and the wind noise is just about acceptable. Adding this to the quite simple amazing seats in the front, this makes the Clio a wise choice if you need to do some motorway stints. Talking about the seats, the interior is adequatly spacious with enough room for 3 in the back thanks to its 3x 3 point rear seatbelts. I find the Clio a lovely car to drive with its short snappy gear changes and it feels as though it's on rails through the corners!! (Admitantly it is unnerved by standing water and mud on the road... The ABS pump is constantly whirring away due to the lack of weight over the front wheels, so don't be shocked by the loud noise under sudden braking!) Just to top the list, the standard stereo and speakers are suficient to please any a boy racer about town too!
Bits I don’t really like: If you're expecting a quick car, please look elsewhere or get a Clio with a bigger engine... It will never set the world alight!! Secondly, the reliability is typical of Renault and mine is a prime example of this. I recently got a letter from Renault asking me to take my car to a service department to get my bonnet catch looked at. Later that day I got a bill for £60 for a new release catch... Not good enough in my books as I would have thought things like that would be covered under warranty?? Also, cold mornings prove a bug bear for the Clio and you have to sit there turning it over and over before you can breath life into the poor things... Must be getting a bit arthritic after 11 years and those 110000 miles!  Finally, mine succombed to the old leaky sunroof, another £125 bill to get that fixed. Again was not happy! However, other than the points above, I can't complain anymore about it.
Final verdict: Overall, I have enjoyed my time as a Clio driver, and I will miss it when I move onto a Volkswagen Bora in the coming weeks. The simply huge number of gadgets you get is a massive pull over competitors and you shouldn't let the downsides I have shadow your decision... The Renault Clio is a brilliant little car and should be heavily considered when looking for a first time car.