Latest news with #MazdaMX-5
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Seven best used cars you can pick up for under £5,000 including ‘sharp looker' Seat and ‘astonishing' Hyundai
One popular car make is available for as little as £1,000 GOLDEN OLDIES Seven best used cars you can pick up for under £5,000 including 'sharp looker' Seat and 'astonishing' Hyundai Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE best value second-hand cars you can buy for less than £5,000 have been revealed. Seven cheap alternatives have been identified for bargain hunting Brits looking for luxury vehicles at a fraction of the price. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 9 One of the cars is available to buy from as little as £1,000 Credit: Getty 9 All seven budget buys can be bought for less than £5,000 Credit: Getty The list contains a mix of four-wheelers for big families, dog owners and car enthusiasts with expensive taste. Some of the popular vehicles can be found in a decent condition from as little as £1,000. The budget cars boast a wide variety of practical features, such as four-wheel drive and turbo-boosted engines. Volkswagen Up! 9 The Volkswagen Up! is an equally cheap car to run Credit: Alamy First up is the Volkswagen Up! which provides an ideal small car with plenty of space on the inside. The city car has been praised for its slick style and high quality, providing a smooth ride for the driver. As well as its low second-hand cost, the VW is an equally affordable vehicle to run with low fuel consumption and emissions. Young drivers can also benefit from the cheaper insurance prices that come with the Up. Prices start on selling-site Autotrader at around £1,500. Seat Leon 9 It is part of the VW group and shares plenty under the bonnet with the German manufacturer Credit: Alamy Despite being modelled on a Volkswagen Golf, the cheaper Seat Leon provides a sharper look and better value for money. It is part of the VW group and shares plenty under the bonnet with the German manufacturer. Even the smaller 1.2-litre petrol engine is capable enough for most journeys, and the handling is more engaging than many rivals. The most common problems reported involve the DSG automatic gearboxes, minor satnav faults, and some condensation in the rear lights. Mazda MX-5 9 At under £5,000, you're mostly looking at earlier examples, but the engines tend to be reliable with proper servicing Credit: Alamy Those wanting a car that's more about enjoyment might consider the Mazda MX-5, particularly the third generation model built between 2005 and 2015. This version is slightly heavier and more refined than earlier MX-5s, making it more usable on a daily basis while still offering the same fun handling and simple, rear-wheel-drive setup the car is known for. At under £5,000, you're mostly looking at earlier examples, but the engines tend to be reliable with proper servicing. Owners should keep an eye on rusty sills and body panels, sticky brake callipers, and hard-top models with roof mechanism issues. Hyundai i30 BlueDrive 9 It officially returns up to 78.4 miles per gallon and, in many versions, qualifies for zero road tax Credit: Alamy If saving money on fuel and tax is your top priority, the Hyundai i30 BlueDrive is a practical choice. Built between 2012 and 2017, this diesel hatchback was designed during a time when low emissions and economy were major selling points. It officially returns up to 78.4 miles per gallon and, in many versions, qualifies for zero road tax. It's also chain-driven, meaning you won't need to worry about replacing a cambelt. Most faults reported are minor, such as scuffed interiors, and the engines themselves have a good reputation for dependability. Honda CR-V 9 This mid-size SUV had a large, flat boot and a sliding rear seat that allows for even more space when needed Credit: Alamy For dog owners, the Honda CR-V built from 2006 to 2012 is worth a look. This mid-size SUV had a large, flat boot and a sliding rear seat that allows for even more space when needed. It's also known for its mechanical reliability and general durability. Four-wheel-drive versions are better suited to rural areas and country walks, especially in poor weather. Some used examples suffer from weak air conditioning, batter drain issues and fading interior trim, but overall, it's a strong all-rounder. Ford S-Max 9 Built between 2006 and 2014, it's an MPV that avoids the usual dull driving experience thanks to its car-like handling Credit: Alamy If you need seven seats, the Ford S-Max offers better practicality than many SUVs in the same price range. Built between 2006 and 2014, it's an MPV that avoids the usual dull driving experience thanks to its car-like handling. There's plenty of space inside, and the rear seats can be folded flat when not in use. Older examples can be found for as little as £1,000, though well-kept ones with a full history hover around £5,000. Common faults include electrical issues, damp carpets, and noisy power steering. Audi TT 9 Inside, the cabin is smartly finished and doesn't feel dated Credit: Alamy For those who want a more stylish option, the second-generation Audi TT from 2006 to 2014 still looks modern and drives well. It shares its engine with the Golf GTI, giving it decent performance and a solid driving feel. Inside, the cabin is smartly finished and doesn't feel dated. These cars can be had for under £5,000, though buyers should watch for high oil consumption, noisy timing chains, and electrical niggles like dodgy window mechanisms or condensation in the lights. Not every used car in this price range is a smart buy, though. One model to avoid is the first-generation BMW 1 Series, sold between 2004 and 2011. While the badge may attract some buyers, these cars are often cramped in the back, hard-riding and plagued by mechanical issues in many versions. Even well-maintained examples can feel tired, and the dark interiors make them less pleasant to spend time in compared to rivals.
Scottish Sun
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Cheapest & most reliable second-hand cars to buy and insure revealed including discontinued Hybrid & Mazda convertible
TRUSTY MOTORS Cheapest & most reliable second-hand cars to buy and insure revealed including discontinued Hybrid & Mazda convertible Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE cheapest and most reliable second-hand cars to buy and insure have been revealed. Tens of thousands of vehicles were examined as part of a huge study which uncovered that a discontinued Hybrid and Mazda convertible are among the most reliable cars. 12 Which? have revealed the UK's best value second-hand cars to buy and insure Credit: Alamy 12 There is a wide range of manufacturers on the list Credit: Getty In the annual Which? Survey, thousands of Brits opened up about their cars and the issues that they've had with them. The consumer advice company then crunched the numbers to determine how reliable a model is within its first four years of being manufactured, as well as those produced 5-9 years ago and 10-15 years ago. The survey involved over 60,000 car owners who owned a total of 71,002 cars. 12 The price of a Lexus CT depends on its generation Credit: Getty Lexus CT Hatchback Hybrid (2011 to 2020) The Lexus CT200h is popular because of its low running costs and low-speed refinement. Its petrol-electric parallel hybrid powertrain was previously used in the Toyota Prius, all the way back in 1997. A second-hand model sells for between £5000 and £10,000 with prices varying slightly depending on the car's generation. The Lexus CT received a refresh in 2014 and another in 2017 before finally being discontinued in 2020. 12 The Mazda MX-5 is a stylish sportscar Credit: Getty Mazda MX-5 Convertible (2005 to 2015) The Mazda MX-5 debuted in its earliest form in 1989 but the convertible version first became available in 2005. It won the Car of the Year Japan Award in its first year of being on the market and is known for its stylish exterior. The vehicle also had simple on-board technology which was easy to use, alongside a sleek interior. 12 The Lexus RX Hybrid is known for being a quiet car Credit: Getty Lexus RX Hybrid (2009 to 2015) The Lexus RX Hybrid became popular for being a low-cost car to run. The second Lexus vehicle on this list enjoyed an immense popularity whilst on the market, thanks to its half-electric and half-petrol engine helping the car go further. It was also famed for being a particularly quiet car, making drives even more comfortable. 12 The Honda Jazz has a raised driving position Credit: Getty Honda Jazz Hatchback (2008 to 2015) The Honda Jazz had a bigger boot than most of its competitors, including a Ford Focus, despite being one of the smaller cars on the market. Inside, the car was fitted with a spacious interior and a series of flaps to prevent luggage from sliding around. It also had a raised driving position which made driving much easier. 12 The Skoda Citigo is very similar to two other popular cars Credit: Getty Skoda Citigo Hatchback (2012 to 2019) The Citigo faced a lot of comparisons to the Volkswagen Up and Seat Mii during its time on the road. Largely, this was due to all three cars having very similar engines, structures and gearboxes. However, what set the Citigo apart was how smooth a ride it was. Thanks to its three-cylinder engine, the car was exceedingly cheap to run and cost less than the Volkswagen Up. 12 The BMW X1 has been described as an incredibly "stable" car Credit: Handout BMW X1 (2009 to 2015) The BM1 X1 was shorter and narrower than the BMW 3 Series Touring range which gave it a more elegant exterior shell. By the end of its production cycle in 2015, there were five cars in the BMW X1 range - five of which were diesel engines and one of which had a petrol engine. The car was described at the time as 'stable' and 'composed', making it one of the more reliable vehicles on the market. 12 RYN00E 2014 Suzuki Swift Sport hot hatch compact car Credit: Alamy Suzuki Swift Hatchback (2010 to 2016) The Suzuki Swift was famed for being a smooth drive, which was also quiet whilst driving on the motorway. It received an update in 2013 which revised some of the car's interior, before a major update in 2014 which saw the car's diesel engine being swapped for a Dualjet petrol engine. The five-speed manual gear box was easy to use and the dashboard technology was remarkably simple to use. 12 The Toyota Yaris dates back to 1999 Credit: Handout Toyota Yaris Hatchback (2011 to 2020) The Toyota Yaris was hugely popular, thanks in part to its spacious and comfortable interior. It also came with a hybrid option which offered reduced emissions with the trade-off of a fraction less boot space. The Yaris was first launched in 1999 and helped set a new trend for cars across the world, with the implementation of a digital speedometer on the dashboard. 12 The Suzuki Alto has a lightning-fast response time Credit: Alamy Suzuki Alto Hatchback (2009 to 2014) The Suzuki Alto hatchback claimed to be one of the cleanest petrol cars on the market, when it first launched in 2009. Although the car only measures 3.5 metres in length, its height ensures that driving always feels comfortable. It also has a quick response time, which makes it easy to drive. 12 The Toyota Auris has a sleek design Credit: Handout Toyota Auris Hatchback (2012 to 2019) Despite having a low profile, the Auris offers a great driving position and is surprisingly roomy. It comes with a 350 litre boot and runs on a 134bhp 1.8-litre VVT-h engine. The Auris also has a sleek design which makes it one of the more stylish cars to take out on the road.
Scottish Sun
18-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Ten cheapest cars to insure in UK for 2025.. including surprisingly plush saloon & sporty convertible
The model of the car is just one of many factors insurers consider GOT YOU COVERED Ten cheapest cars to insure in UK for 2025.. including surprisingly plush saloon & sporty convertible Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A GROUP of car insurance experts have revealed the cheapest cars to insure in the UK in 2025 – with some surprising models included. A new report from Car Insurance shows that it's not just small, low-powered models that help you save on vehicle cover. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 The iconic Mazda MX-5 tops list of the cheapest cars to insure Credit: Getty 3 The plusg, long-forgotten Saab 9-3 has also made the list Credit: Getty 3 Joining the top 10 are several small, low cost cars as well, such as the SmatFourtwo Credit: Getty The comparison site recently shared with Sun Motors their latest car insurance price index, revealing that the average cost of car insurance is £450. Typically, smaller, less powerful cars with good safety credentials are the cheapest to insure, such as the ever-popular Peugeot 206 and the compact Smart ForTwo. Unsurprisingly, both feature on list. However, there are a few unexpected entries, including the iconic Mazda MX-5 - which takes the top spot, costing an average of £250 to insure. Long dubbed 'the poster child for convertible cars', the MX-5 has often been recognised as a mechanically reliable choice that's also great fun to drive. The long-forgotten Saab 9-3, praised as a comfortable and practical saloon that also boasts good looks and an excellent safety record, also makes the list. Saab's former Swedish rivals Volvo are also on the list with the S40, costing just £290 to insure on average. top 10 cheapest cars to insure 1 Mazda MX-5 - £250 2 Peugeot 206 - £255 3 Citroen Xsara - £256 4 Smart Fortwo - £260 5 Toyota IQ - £265 6 Fiat Panda - £279 7 Peugeot RCZ - £279 8 Vauxhall Agila - £290 9 Saab 9-3 - £290 10 Volvo S40 - £290 Speaking to Sun Motors, Tom Banks, a car insurance expert at explained that the model of the car is just one of many factors insurers consider. He said: 'When an insurer offers you a quote for your car insurance, they take into account a whole range of factors – your age, the area you live in, and where your car is parked can all affect the price, as well as the type of car you drive. 'Generally speaking, more powerful, sporty cars with larger engines are more expensive to insure, while cars with smaller engines are typically more affordable to insure and run. 'While it's unlikely to be cost-effective to change your car solely to lower your insurance premium, if you're in the market for a new car anyway, it's definitely worth researching how much different models cost to insure. 'And if you're not planning to buy a new car but your premiums have increased, there are certain steps you can take to try to reduce the cost of insuring your vehicle.'
The Irish Sun
18-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Ten cheapest cars to insure in UK for 2025.. including surprisingly plush saloon & sporty convertible
A GROUP of car insurance experts have revealed the cheapest cars to insure in the UK in 2025 – with some surprising models included. A new report from models that help you save on vehicle cover. Advertisement 3 The iconic Mazda MX-5 tops list of the cheapest cars to insure Credit: Getty 3 The plusg, long-forgotten Saab 9-3 has also made the list Credit: Getty 3 Joining the top 10 are several small, low cost cars as well, such as the SmatFourtwo Credit: Getty The comparison site recently shared with Sun Motors their latest car insurance price index, revealing that the average cost of car insurance is £450. Typically, smaller, less powerful cars with good safety credentials are the cheapest to insure, such as the ever-popular Peugeot 206 and the compact Smart ForTwo. Unsurprisingly, both feature on list. However, there are a few unexpected entries, including the iconic Mazda MX-5 - which takes the top spot, costing an average of £250 to insure. Advertisement Read more Motors News Long dubbed 'the poster child for convertible cars', the MX-5 has often been recognised as a mechanically reliable choice that's also great fun to drive. The long-forgotten Saab 9-3, praised as a comfortable and practical saloon that also boasts good looks and an excellent safety record, also makes the list. Saab's former Swedish rivals Volvo are also on the list with the S40, costing just £290 to insure on average. top 10 cheapest cars to insure 1 Mazda MX-5 - £250 2 Peugeot 206 - £255 3 Citroen Xsara - £256 4 Smart Fortwo - £260 5 Toyota IQ - £265 6 Fiat Panda - £279 7 Peugeot RCZ - £279 8 Vauxhall Agila - £290 9 Saab 9-3 - £290 10 Volvo S40 - £290 Speaking to Sun Motors, Tom Banks, a car insurance expert at explained that the model of the car is just one of many factors insurers consider. Advertisement Most read in Motors Breaking He said: 'When an insurer offers you a quote for your car insurance, they take into account a whole range of factors – your age, the area you live in, and where your car is parked can all affect the price, as well as the type of car you drive. 'Generally speaking, more powerful, sporty cars with larger engines are more expensive to insure, while cars with smaller engines are typically more affordable to insure and run. 'While it's unlikely to be cost-effective to change your car solely to lower your insurance premium, if you're in the market for a new car anyway, it's definitely worth researching how much different models cost to insure. 'And if you're not planning to buy a new car but your premiums have increased, there are certain steps you can take to try to reduce the cost of insuring your vehicle.' Advertisement car insurance top tips Pay annually: Paying monthly for your car insurance could cost you more - insurers view this as a loan and add interest, making it more expensive over the year. So if you can afford to, pay it all in one go. Consider the cover type: While you might think that opting for less cover is cheaper, this isn't always the case. Our data shows that third-party-only policies cost an average of £588, £138 more than comprehensive policies (£450). Job descriptions matter: If there are multiple titles you can use to describe your profession accurately, try them all out, as your car insurance premium could vary depending on which you use - but remember to always be truthful and accurate with your insurer. Time when you buy: Our data shows that you can make some serious savings if you shop in advance of your renewal date. In fact, it could cost you 30% more if you leave it to the day your policy is due for renewal.
Scottish Sun
11-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Four convertibles perfect for summer driving that can be bought at bargain prices
'As well as price, space is also a key consideration. Convertibles tend to have smaller boots as the roof needs to be stored too" TOP DOWN Four convertibles perfect for summer driving that can be bought at bargain prices – including iconic Mazda Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SUMMERTIME is just around the corner – even if the occasional grey skies and chilly breeze make it hard to believe. And with the warmer, sunnier days on the horizon, it feels like the perfect time to cruise across town in a seriously cool cabriolet. 5 mature-couple-convertible-car-993361003 Credit: Getty 5 The Mazda MX-5 is dubbed the poster child for convertible cars Credit: Getty 5 The Mercedes SLK boasts a hard, drop top and is considered a premium convertible offering Credit: Getty Better yet, picking up a fun and fast convertible that's also reliable and even family friendly has never been easier, with plenty of options available. "There's nothing quite like that moment of the sun on your face, top down as summer arrives,' said Catherine King of Auto Trader, who recently revealed to Sun Motors her top drop top favourites. 'We often see an increase in searches for convertibles when the sun appears, for example two weeks ago when we had a sunny weekend, we saw a 15% day-on-day increase across the platform. 'While some might think convertibles are expensive and just for summer, there are plenty of budget-friendly options suitable for use all year round. 'As well as price, space is also a key consideration. Convertibles tend to have smaller boots as the roof needs to be stored too. 'However, models like the BMW 1 series offer some of the most space, ideal for the summer essentials.' A good, 1 series BMW convertible can be found on Auto Trader for under £8,000 with some 35,000 miles on the clock, while higher mileage examples can be found for as little as £4,000. Another example is the Mercedes SLK, one of the most popular two-seater convertibles that ranges from £1,500 to £9,000 on the used car website. Not one for large families obviously, but great for those looking for something classy and cool, with great handling. On the flip side, the Mini Cooper Convertible, while small, does come with the extra passenger seats in the back - as well as the extra oomph you'd come to expect from the Cooper variant. 5 modern classics that 'could make you money' including Saab convertible Catherine added: 'A key factor is whether you want a two-seater, something like the Mercedes SLK or a four-seater to accommodate more passengers, such as a Mini Cooper Convertible. 'With a four-seater those in the back may be set for a windier ride, with less screen protection, but it's more practical if you regularly have more passengers.' One thing convertible buyers might need to consider is roof-type, as there are a range of options. Fabric roofs, while prone to more weather damage, are often simpler and manually operated, in contrast to hardtops, which are more durable but are heavier and can be expensive if they go wrong. Catherine said: 'It will come down to what best suits your lifestyle and how you can store the car. 'Of course, reliability is always key. The classic Mazda MX-5, which has become almost the poster child for convertible cars, has long been recognised as a mechanically reliable choice although it's worth noting it can be prone to rust. 'Prioritising reliability means you can have some peace of mind and confidence that it will stand the test of time.' With over 15,000 convertible models currently listed on Auto Trader, whatever your budget and needs, there's bound to be an option for you. 5 Older versions of the BMW 1 Series can be bought for as little as £4,000 Credit: Alamy
