Getting closer to actually replacing my car, I’ve narrowed it down to these 2 and absolutely do not want to look at any more Volvo V60’s, golf estates, new focus or anything else please make it stop the endless dithering is starting to annoy even myself #firstworldproblems.
So in the blue corner, the current reigning car of champ of STW, the Skoda Octavia
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/14768169

In the red (silver) corner, a new pretender to the throne, the Mazda 6
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/14666947

The Octy is newer but a lot higher mileage, the mazda looks better and is supposed to handle better but the engine is not as strong but then if it’s ‘enough’ then it’s all good.
Things that are important to me –
Reliability
Seat comfort
Space for rear passengers
Boot Space
Bike loading ability
Handling
MPG and other ongoing costs e.g. servicing etc.

Comments on these 2 cars appreciated, going to look at the Octy this week and want to consider all options before putting down a deposit.
p.s. I’ve sort of always wanted a Mazda 6 just based purely on looks but I know he Octy is the more sensible choice.

Of those 2, I looked at the Mazda recently and really liked it.
However, I liked Kia Ceed Sportwagon more, and have since bought one of those.

On my 3rd Mazda 6 (sedans, not estates) and love them. Reasonable mpg, decent acceleration (current one is 2 litre petrol), great on the motorway, cavernous boot. Never had any big bills (one of them did about 220k miles). Apparently Mazda have or are ceasing sales of them in the UK, so don’t know how that might affect resale value.

Audi Q7. More space, higher driving position, more kudos.

I prefer the Mazda 6, but no real experience of either of them…

As a long standing Octavia owner, given a choice between those two cars I’d get the Mazda

That Skoda looks over priced to me.

I’ve found my Octavias to be reliable and because they are vw group cars, most garages can service and diagnose them ok and there are plenty of specialists around

I think the Mazda would be a nicer place to sit and does have a better thought out boot – the Octavia is just a big hole really.

Audi Q7. More space, higher driving position, more kudos.

Kudos? Dunno about that. They’re absurdly big and just scream (to me) ‘entitled bellend’

We’ve a 2017 Mazda 3 with the 2.0 petrol engine, no complaints so far 👍

I’ve only got experience of a mk2 Octavia estate – assuming the mk3 is as good or better then it should tick all your boxes. That said there’s probably things like timing chain are due for replacement with that sort of mileage, I’d certainly want to see a good service history for it.

If either had patchy service history I’d go with the Mazda as less of a risk (but no clue what they’re like to drive etc.)

Kudos? Dunno about that. They’re absurdly big and just scream (to me) ‘entitled bellend’

I think/hope he was joking

I’ve got an Octy. Of those two I’d go for the Mazda. Lower mileage and the split headlamps on the Octavia look crap. Mine is pre-facelift.

Based on my Octavia which is a diesel the shocks will need replacing at 120k. I also had a DMF and clutch replaced on mine but your one is a petrol so I don’t think it has the DMF.

However I’d expect parts/servicing to be cheaper on the Octavia as it’s the standard MQB platform and every garage knows how they work.

Edit: How many miles are you planning to do in it per year? I’d expect the Octavia to have a better MPG.

Wow, did not expect so much support for the Mazda. Yep the Octy is quite a lot for a 95k car, but it’s less than 5 years old and an Se-L spec which means you get the adjustable boot floor to make the boot space more useable.
Squirrel – what spec is your petrol mazda 6?

Audi Q7. More space, higher driving position, more kudos.
Obviously I have already gone one for the school run and weekly shop at Waitrose but I wouldn’t want to sully the interior with my bike.

All else being equal, I’d prefer a car without a turbo. Less to go wrong, easier to repair etc.

Also, I had an Octavia, and there were quite a lot of annoying problems with the 2.0 TFSI engine, suspenion and other bits. It had 130k on it. I think the VAG group cars are overrated and overpriced 2nd hand. Our current Kia is a lot better.

FWIW I have a petrol 2006 Mazda 3 and have had since new, it’s now got 120k on the clock and still fine, no major issues in all that time, just getting a bit rustier now!

I’d go for a 6 Mazda Estate if I could, but we have a VW Passat Diesel estate (2010 reg) which is always costing me money 🙁

I think those year Octavia’s will have adaptive cruise control and android auto, which I don’t think the Mazda does. I was looking at a Mazda 6 briefly before I settled on a Skoda Superb.

Mazda looks better, I always ask opinion of my local indie mechanic who will look after it. When I was looking he binned off my ideas of peugout, fiat….bought a kia. 8 years on it routine services nothings gone wrong.

I have an Octavia and love it, loads of boot space, power and comfort. As jeffl mentioned look at the shocks, just had mine replaced at 80k. Every single MOT has an advisory for front shocks for “oil misting”, apparently an issue.
Perhaps a bigger issue is the turbo on the petrol engines. I have had to replace mine twice, once just outside of warranty (Skoda paid half) and just recently. £1300 bill for the last one…..

which means you get the adjustable boot floor to make the boot space more useable.

I have this on the Leon. It is a bit of plastic and some plastic shelves. It sits permanently in the ‘big boot’ position, and am not that fussed by it…

Of those two I’d personally go for the Mazda all day long.

I have had an Octavia in the past (Mk2) and it was a grand car, but the one you’ve linked to has done lots of miles per year compared to the Mazda which has done “retired person” mileage really 😀 I imagine the Mazda will be in better nick inside (interestingly the Skoda listing has no interior pics…).

Also, and this is personal quirk really, but as a low-mileage driver myself I tend to steer away from turbo engines (like the Skoda has) as they’re just another thing to go wrong and I’m happy losing a little power and fuel efficiency for the (hopefully) improved reliability of an NA engine.

Otherwise, they seem like much of a muchness. Similar dimensions, I bet the bootspace is similar, they both have roof rails to make life easy for roof racks, etc.

Looked at both these recently but didn’t get on with the interior of the Mazda, it felt like it was designed for someone shorter than me and I’m only 6ft.

Interesting comments, especially regarding the turbos – I suspected that the n/a engine would be more reliable but didn’t now if I was just being a luddite.

I have this on the Leon. It is a bit of plastic and some plastic shelves. It sits permanently in the ‘big boot’ position, and am not that fussed by it…

Thought there was more to it than that, what would happen if you sat on it to get changed after a muddy ride for instance – would it collapse?

Looked at both these recently but didn’t get on with the interior of the Mazda, it felt like it was designed for someone shorter than me and I’m only 6ft.

Thanks for the comment, I’m also 6′, what was lacking – headroom or legroom?

I have this on the Leon. It is a bit of plastic and some plastic shelves. It sits permanently in the ‘big boot’ position, and am not that fussed by it…

Yeah I did similar with our Octavia. “ah thats what it does . . . ” followed by never touching it again.

Thought there was more to it than that, what would happen if you sat on it to get changed after a muddy ride for instance – would it collapse?

Should be fine, its sturdy enough

Also run my Leon ST in big boot mode permanently.

There is enough bumper that you can sit on that if required but I imagine in the raised position there will be a weight limit. It’s sturdy enough but in low mode the tray sits on the wheel well etc under so is bomber.

Mazda CX5 owner here. Just a word of caution in case you veer towards the diesel version of the 6. Long story short, avoid it. The 2.2 diesel has some quite serious flaws, especially on pre 2017 versions. A non exhaustive list

Exhaust cam failure
Valve in small turbo failing and being ingested by the big turbo
Injector failure
Excessive carbon build up in the intake
Clogged EGR valves

Petrol engine is bombproof but the diesel problems put Mazda high up on unreliability lists

The Mazda will feel like a more expensive car and much nicer to be in. The Skoda will probably have lower day to day running costs. How long do you plan on keeping the car for?

I’d go Mazda, a lot less to go wrong in the engine. The octavia might do more mpg (i don’t know, I haven’t looked), but turbos and the ACT stuff just reeks of bills to me.

I have the 2014 model Mazda 6, think it’s the 2.2 SE? Has leather seats and electric seats anyway so might be the model up from that one. I like it and am planning on keeping for a few more years given current 2nd hand costs! Got it at ~40k and it’s now on ~70k. In terms of your points below:

Reliability – only real issue has been an O2 sensor which broke and took ages to get diagnosed and fixed, cost ~£1k. Might have been related to some body-work that was done following a very minor bump as it was fine when it went into the garage and lurching like a sick dog when it came out – no way of proving that but seemed suspect to me! May not be an issue for the petrol version, don’t know enough about cars to say.

Seat comfort – very comfy for long drives, I’m 5’7 and fairly small so YMMV

Space for rear passengers – good, lots of leg space, can easily get 2 adults plus a child in the back.

Boot Space – great, lots of space and swallows bikes pretty easily with the front wheel off

Bike loading ability – as above, my medium 29er goes in easily with front wheel off – it’s height rather than width that necessitates it due to handlebar size. I’ve had 2 bikes in the back before, easy enough to get them in it’s just sorting out a way where delicate bits aren’t scraping on each other. Not tried any more than that!

Handling – it’s a big long car but handles pretty well, it’s not something I pay a lot of attention to but I enjoy driving it.

MPG and other ongoing costs e.g. servicing etc – mine is diesel, gets about 45 mpg across mixed use, I think advertised was ~55. Main costs have been annual servicing for the past 5 years at my local indy, they’ve quoted ~£130 for an interim service for this year. Other costs have been consumables, i.e. tyres (all 4 replaced) and a battery which started to go last year.

Pretty sure that engine in the Skoda is a cambelt. Needs done at 5 years/50000 miles. £500-£700 bill. If it hasn’t been done this year price it in.

In true STW spirit, I’ve ignored your OP.

Space for rear passengers

I’ve never had more space in back than in the Insignia I’m currently running. Plus, massive boot space. Lots of spec for way less $$$ than VAG.

How long do you plan on keeping the car for?

A good while, 5-10 years maybe if it’s reliable. Which reminds me – Any rust issues with these? I think earlier ones may have suffered but has it been sorted?

Pretty sure that engine in the Skoda is a cambelt. Needs done at 5 years/50000 miles. £500-£700 bill. If it hasn’t been done this year price it in.

Yeah I’ve asked for details of the service history on both vehicles and specifically asked if the cambelt has been done on the Skoda

I would go Skoda but that is a brand I like.

re the “Leon ST in big boot mode permanently” – I always had my boot in level mode. Found it useful to store all sorts of rubbish under like tools, pump, spare jacket etc. I loved having a level floor to slide big boxes in and out with no lip.

Regarding the floor thing – My Leon has the 2-position floor thing.
I use it quite a bit.
It stays in the higher ‘flat floor’ position for most of the time and then when we need to load the boot properly, it gets dropped.

In the high position you get no load lip to drop items over, a flat floor which is handy for my daughter to sit on when dealing with her muddy football boots/wellies and putting her roller skates on. And when you drop the seats there is no lip, so it’s a bit easier to shove the bike in.
It’s plenty strong enough in this position too.

Obviously with the floor dropped, you can stick more in it.

Hard to choose between the two options. Regarding the questions over the cambelt on the Octavia – is the Mazda chain-driven?
If not, cambelt intervals are quite often X miles, or Y years & so it might not be too far away for the Mazda 6 needing it doing too.

Something that would perhaps sway it for me would be the spec of the cars. One of the things I definitely wanted when looking for my latest car was something with Android Auto. I do a fair bit of driving and use Google maps quite a bit, as well as Spotify. Being able to control that all over the car screen, or even better by voice command is a bit positive for me.
You probably don’t have the same priorities as me, but definitely worth considering the different spec of both.

I run my Leon ST in ‘Small boot’ mode as its better for the dog to get in and out, and for changing your shoes as its easier to sit on. and I can store the millions of shopping bags / dog toys etc. under the floor. It can be handy for dividing up your packing when going away, but normally have it big boot mode . But as its just a shelf on some runners its no deal breaker. IIRC the Mazda has a similar thing going on, in as much as it has a flat boot at a decent level, but then a bit of storage under it.

A friend had a ’61 plate 6 which he’s just scrapped, but due to his ‘trusted mechanic’ bodging the cam chain replacement a few years ago. That was a big car, bigger perhaps than an Octavia, and probably as many practical features.

I’d go for the Mazda, its different, looks better inside and out, and is probably more reliable.

Yes that Skoda with the 1.4 tsi will be due a cambelt on its 5th birthday ie now. Recently had it done on my 67 plate kodiaq. Currently on about 75k miles I think. Was quoted £499 but when I dropped it off to be fine I was informed it had gone up to I think £629. I paid the lower price of course. Also had a coolant leak requiring a new thermostat. Another £500.
Skoda will sell you a 2 year warranty and roadside assistance for it that includes 2 services and mots and costs £100 or so more than the main dealer service costs. Think it’s on cars 3-6 years old and <100k miles. Would’ve covered my thermostat and paid for itself instantly. If only I’d known… have signed up now for the piece of mind as I intend to keep it at least another 2-3 years

https://www.skoda.co.uk/owners/all-in-service-plan

A friend has an Octy and also his second 6, both estates.
He is much more impressed with the Mazda than the Skoda.

I took a ride in the 6 and it feels very nice inside, perceived quality better than my last car, a 3 Series. It’s certainly a step up from my Leon Cupra, which is basically the same interior as the Octy.

Can’t vouch for reliability, but he’s had no issues in the last 5 years of driving a Mazda. The Skoda TSi is a decent unit, but they do suffer from leaky thermostat housings, like all recent petrol VAG cars.

I’d definitely go for the Mazda 6.

@Stevet1 My 6 is a 65 reg SE Nav 2 litre. Just about to clock up 100k miles.
I’m 5’11”, never felt any issue with the driving position.
Mate of mine had an Octavia: I always thought the interior finish was much nicer in the Mazda.

but turbos and the ACT stuff just reeks of bills to me.

Turbos do have a finite life, and past 100k you should expect to have to change that stuff

I had a diesel MK2 vrs which I put 130k miles on and sold on at 160k. It needed a new turbo and coil packs but not much else other than routine servicing.

I’ve done 100k in my current petrol vrs and that’s needed some work on the coolant system and a new sump (they are made of plastic and can crack).

So my experience of Octavias had been very good.

Not had any suspension issues at all.

Turbos do have a finite life, and past 100k you should expect to have to change that stuff

I think that’s overstating it a bit. As your car ages the chance of a failure increases but they aren’t consumables. It heavily depends on how well it’s been serviced. Certain engines are more prone to oil starvation and consequent turbo failures.

Mazda every time.
Avoids the premium pricing of the German product, which will likely be less reliable but they have somehow maintained badge appeal and a cushy interior which draws people in.

Those mazdas 2.0 petrols are pretty bullet proof and will be a good car.

I cannot say I’ve found my Octavia to be reliable. I’ve had a broken turbo, broken water pump, shocks misting. A few months back I had the engine warning light come on which was a lambda sensor, only for it to start coming on again, so something else has worn out now. Oh, and auto headlight dip thing has stopped working properly. It’s not done 100k yet. It’s a 1.4 TSI.