Mazda 3 MPS - Realistic used prices and recommended dealers

JimmyHart84

Thanks for all the replies, they are appreciated, but i've done a lot of thinking before deciding on this particular car and used over new. Here's my main reasons:

1) I can't stretch to new. I'm willing to go to 15k all told (after my part ex or private sale).

2) This on a 7.9% loan over 5 years is 300pm or 4 years at 370pm. I'm yet to decide which, but I'm happy with this figure.

3) I want to buy it outright, leasing or options schemes are total no gos, as I don't want bubble payments at the end and don't want to be really anal about every little scratch on it. And also I don't want to restrict myself by committing to a mileage. I'd rather have my monthly money going out and that's it. But as said, I'm not looking at new anyway, so this doesn't matter.

4) Tax on the mk2 is actually less. I've done a check on a registration on the dvla website and it's actually 215, same price as the Focus ST.

5) From what I've read, the mk2 is essentially the same car as someone said, but refined and all the kinks (what little it had) ironed out. Not only this, I just prefer the look of the new one too.

6) Although depreciation is a concern, I'm not gonna lose sleep over it. I'm 26, don't own my own place and I work from home. Now is the time if any for me to get a car like this, so although I do have a limit in terms of purchase cost and running cost, I'm not overly bothered about much else as I've got the rest of my life to worry about sensible cars and other costs like depreciation.

7) Spending this kinda money, I want to go approved used rather than independant or private. Not that these other 2 can't be trusted, but from experience with independants around me, service isn't exactly their forte and some are proper wideboys.

As I say, I do really appreciate the help, but I've looked into many many cars and manufacturers, even test drove both models in some cars, such as the old and new Civic Type R, and this is definiately the car i've decided on. All that's left for me to do is research realistic prices for the Mazda, research dealers and apply for my loan.