I've been a fan of Mazdas ever since I had my first second hand, B-Reg Mazda 323 in 1997. Although I wrote that one off after 6 months, I bought an almost identical one straight away which ran smoothly for a year before I sold it to a friend who still runs it with hardly any maintainance required. Since then, I've had a Ford and a Peugeot, and when I was looking to buy another car, I found another Mazda 323, and had to buy it - it was such a relief to be driving one of these fantastic cars after the troublesome Peugeot.
Anyway, the point of this rambling discourse is that I wanted to look after my shiny new (well, second-hand) 323F, so I've been to Westleigh Mazda, in Leigh-on-Sea Essex, on two occasions, and both times they were incredibly helpful and informative, and I never felt pressured into paying for any services they offered, like you can do in garages. Since Mazdas are expensive to fix if they go wrong (which is rare), it's nice to find a garage which will tell you exactly what's wrong, how much it should cost, how much it could cost if it is the worst case, and give you the choice at every step as to whether you want to spend your money on what they sugesst, unlike some garages which just do it then tell you how much you owe them.
I have never bought a car off Westleigh, but if their Sales department is anything like their servicing and repair department (and, lets face it, that is the department you're going to see more of over the history of your car) then I would definitely recommend them.
01.04.2002 06:08
Hi there. to be honest, I have never really though too much to Mazda. But after readin this, I wander what potential they really have to become massive. Although the best service I have encounted was with Mercedes-Benz, cheers, great op, Chunka!
01.02.2002 00:21
Mazda seem good. I have a Nissan and a Citroën at the moment. My Nissan is a lovely car to drive. :)
11.07.2001 11:43
I love ragging my Father in Laws 323 GTI when we go out in it. I dont think he knows I do it though. He does now!!!