Why buy a mazda6 (UK)
I honestly love my mazda mx5 (manual), it can handle so much abuse and neglect and it still runs and drives. I was planning to run this mx5 into the ground. My mx5 is not worth anything anymore and has a lot of problems (except rust) but will likely be kept as a second car for the family to play around with (so resale value can be disregarded).
Unfortunately I am approaching my 30s and will need a 5 seater that is more practical. I don't live further than 30 mins from work and everyday driving has a decent amount of start-stopping, with only 10 minutes of motorway at most. Most importantly I drive like an old man now, and for this reason I was looking at switching to automatic cars and don't mind being slower than everyone else (I have no ego). I am also planning to have children within the next 5-10 years.
I have a budget of around £25k at most although any savings from not spending that much would probably go towards a house deposit or the S&P500.
My insurance is currently £400 per year for the mx5 with 5 years no claims bonus discount. I wouldn't expect it to be that much different if I transferred it to a Mazda 6.
I can probably budget for a car payment of £500 per month, which includes any car finance payments (I can also pay £25k cash instead), road tax, repair costs, fuel, etc. (all costs related to the car). As for time at most I will bring the car for servicing once a year. I will also make every effort to never get my hands dirty again with the repairs and maintenance (which is why my mx5 has worsened so much over time).
At the moment, for around £15-25k I am considering the following (all approve used)
- mazda 6 2020-2022 petrol automatic
- volvo s90 2020-2023 PHEV automatic (home charging is available)
- BMW 5 series to 2020 petrol automatic
I am exclusively looking at saloons (sedans) only that are automatic, mostly because I feel anxious driving anything bigger.
I feel like the most sensible, cost effective, and reliable option would be the mazda 6. On the other hand I feel like I would regret not getting something more luxurious in that price range and also going for the "safe" option. Although I drive like an old man I was looking at BMW's because every middle to upper class old person I know also has an automatic 3 series or 5 series as a daily (even if they could afford more). A part of me wants to look presentable but I'm scared of the reliability issues that BMW has (I never want to get my hands dirty again).
Why did you guys settle for a mazda 6 instead of getting something more? Or do I have it the wrong way round - was the mazda 6 actually the best option out there for you?