Mazda 6i

Before buying I compared the Mazda 6i to the Vectra, Mondeo, Accord, Avensis etc and was seduced by the standard kit and the looks. I wish I had looked deeper! The seat material is not particularly hard wearing - the car is just over a year old and already the seats are pilling. The paintwork is a nightmare - it seems as if the paint is very thin and just about anything will scratch it. Fuel consumption around time is poor - drive it sensibly around town and I'm lucky to get 300 miles from a tank of petrol and it's costs over £50 to fill up from empty now. Now stuck with a car I really don't like and can't wait to get rid of. Now considering moving upmarket and buying either an Audi A4 or BMW 3 series.

This car combines flamboyant styling with high speeds and great practicality. Though not as nimble as some of its competitors, the Mazda 6 i still has more standard features than many of the competition. Reliability has been stellar.