1999 Mazda Demio from UK and Ireland - Comments

We have only had the car for one month so unsurprisingly it has been trouble free.

Hopefully the Mazda reliability (Mazda has just won the WhatCar reliability test 2001) will make the Demio a trouble free car.

The ride quality of the car is rather firm, most bumps are felt, however on the motorway it is extremely refined and the engine is almost silent.

Inside the interior is taupe, which isn't bad for a Japanese car. The dashboard and fascia are solid and totally sturdy, whereas a Mercedes A160 that we hired had a loose and non-sturdy dash. There is little storage space inside though.

Excellent equipment, 4x electric windows and a huge electric sunroof are standard as are

14-inch alloys and central locking.

Good looking and very rare, our model has the nudge bar and the angular black bumpers which make it look like a mini 4x4.

The handling is good given the tall shape, the low profile tyres grip the road more than acceptably. Steering is light, but sometimes a little too light and vague for the keen driver, however obviously the Demio is not a sports car, so it does its job well.

Mazda accessories vary. Locking wheel nuts we bought because of the concern over the alloys being stolen. One dealer quoted £19, the other £28, we got them for £25 from a shop next door!

Overall I really like the Demio, it is neat, rare, nippy and generally a lot better than people such as WhatCar? say. Then again, the Demio is not a German BMW, so it is bound to be rated low.

Highly recommended, give it a try, you will not be disappointed. the 1998/S- 2000/W model with a nudge bar looks more sporty and eye-catching.

I brought my Mazda Demio nearly 4 years ago when it was 12 month old. It’s not a sports car, but it’s comfortable, spacious, economic and reliable. It goes for service twice a year and that’s it, the only thing I had to replace is the tyres. It runs from oil change to oil change without even the need of topping up and does nearly 400 miles on one tank of petrol. MOT is no problem; so far it has passed without problems. I really enjoy driving this car and hope I will drive it for a long time.

I have had my Mazda Demio for two years. It was previously owned by an older couple who looked after it well. I find when driving the Demio it runs smooth without any problems and sounds a dream. I'm quite happy with my car and how it runs.

I to have a mazda demio 1999 t reg and its one of the best cars I have had in a long time!

It has just failed an mot because of a little metal clamp that rusts and makes the brake pipes rust just in one little section midway underneath on the passenger side, anyone with a demio should take a look at your own and spray or treat the metal clamp before it starts to corrode the pipes.

Also does anyone have the owners manual I could borrow I never got one with mine it was mislaid by the previous owner and I have lots of questions about the rear folding seats etc could I borrow yours? barge41@ntlworld.com (john)

I have had 2 Mazda Demio's; the first was an "Escape", lovely car but I changed it when I spotted another Mazda Demio auto only done 4,000 miles when I bought it 03 model, I bought it 2 years ago!!! Been all round the Highlands of Scotland, Devon, work everyday, up to 15,000 now - trouble free motoring. Excellent cars, I LOVE them. Not common; so rare I wave when I see one now...!!!