2004 Mazda 6 TS review from UK and Ireland

Small piece of trim at end of kick plate had come adrift (although I think I might have done that)

Wanted something a bit different from the usual Vectra-Mondeo brigade so went for the sporty looking M6 1.8TS Hatch.

Now wish I went for the 2.0 as this is a bit on the sluggish side, but it would have cost so much more in company car tax.

Went for the metallic blue which I think everyone else has gone for, but I still reckon its the best colour and I still have customers commenting on how good it looks.

The paint does seem a bit on the thin side and marks very easy.

I have also found the panels are thin in places where you would push against them (on the bootlid for instance) which has caused a couple of unsightly dents.

Good service intervals at 12,500 miles and economy has settled down to about 36mpg, not bad seeing I carry 400 kgs of tools in the boot all the time (which by the way is deceptivly large).

The ride and handling are very good although the engine can get a little boomy at times, but its by no means obtrusive.

As a former Passat owner the material quality is not quite as good, but its certainly not bad either and I see no reason why I shouldn't be able to cover 100,000 miles in the 3 years I'm due to have it with no trouble at all.