Ask an expert

Hi there,

We are looking at a few different cars, all seem to have pros and cons but we really don't know which is the best option!

We are looking at a:
Mazda Atenza 2005 station wagon 2.3L (odo 158xxxkm)
Toyota Avensis 2006 station wagon 2L (odo 103xxxkm)

Have heard that the Mazda can end up having expensive suspension issues. The car we are looking at has already had one ball joint replaced, is it likely the other one will need to be done soon too? Are there any other issues we should know about this car? We are also wondering whether the km is something to consider, or whether this car will drive well into the 250xxx-300xxxkm range?

Similar questions about the Toyota Avensis too. What things are common that break and need replacing, what sorts of things go wrong and how easy are these to fix as we have heard they made for the European market? In terms of km, how long are these cars expected to last?

Our main thing is looking for a car that has low mileage but also nice looking, while being reliable and not too expensive to maintain... as everyone probably wants...!

Any suggestions of other cars we could consider that fit our criteria. We are looking at spending between $5k-$6k, however, have been extending out search to $7.5k.

Thanks, appreciate your time.

Hi there,
I've not heard of many issues with the Atenza and at 150k I would expect the odd engine mount or suspension component to require replacement as things wear.
The Toyota Avensis 2.0ltr has a type of engine (FSE) that has been known to give issue and be very costly to repair. Which is a shame, because the rest of the car is very good.
So in this case my pick would be the Mazda.