What should I buy - Audi A3 petrol or Mazda3 diesel? | Ask Honest John

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What should I buy - Audi A3 petrol or Mazda3 diesel?

Please could you recommend one of the following two new cars for us:
Audi A3 1.4 ACT 150 SE auto or Mazda3 2.2d SE-L auto?

Which one would be more reliable and happier to own over the next 10 years? Our driving will be mostly on long runs (6000 miles a year) as we also have a Honda Jazz auto for town driving.

Asked on 25 October 2014 by A. Yaliz

Answered by Honest John

The A3 1.4ACT 150 is good, but I don't trust its DSG/s-tronic autobox. So I'd go for the Mazda 3 2.2d SE-L auto. Chain cam so no timing belt to worry about. And three Mazda6s with this same engine have just averaged 137mph for 24 hours, which proves their durability.

Tags: buying a new car petrol or diesel?

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