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I am looking at buying a 2002-4 Mazda Atenza 6 or a Toyota Altezza 2Litre.

Both of these cars meet my needs but I would like to know your opinion on value for money, reliability, safety (cant find a safety report for both vehicles) resale value and servicing costs.

Can you confirm that the Mazda is chain driven.

What are your thoughts of the Toyota being a typical boy racer vehicle?

Glen

From the "Ask Jack" archives - 18 November 2009

Both models you mention are good vehicles with reputations for reliability, reasonable maintenance costs and good resale values.

The Mazda6 has been one of the most popular cars in its category since its launch, and continues to be so today. It is quiet, comfortable and has high safety levels, with this year model having a 4-star ANCAP safety rating.

The Altezza is basically a Japanese domestic equivalent of the Lexus IS200.

ANCAP crash data doesn't appear to be available for either model.

This could be because the vehicle wasn't available in Australia at the time, or it wasn't tested. However, in general, the model is known to be a safe vehicle.

As for the Altezza being known as a boy racer car, I don't see this being a problem as long as the car you are looking at hasn't been 'modified' in any way.

As a standard car, the Altezza offers similar levels of comfort as the Mazda6.

It would come down to personal preference as to which one to go for as both are good cars.

You are correct, the Mazda is chain driven.

If you can find a standard non moded Altezza RS200 which is the 4 cylinder version would be a better choice. decent power, rear wheel drive and great handling compare to a Mazda 6 or atenza. i have owned both the vehicle and both are great but my preference would be Toyota just really because how it drives and handles.

On the cons: Altezza do need cambelt where Mazda 6 has camchain.