Higher-value hot Mazda

Nov 9 2009 Maurice Glover

Higher-value hot Mazda

LATEST examples of the Mazda3 MPS have been judged to be worth more than their predecessors on the used car market.

Before driving the model that has just gone on sale, valuation experts at CAP rated it as being worth 30 per cent of its purchase price after three years and 60,000 miles.

But a spell behind the wheel has resulted in a revision predicting the car will retain an additional £750 of its initial value.

According to CAP's forecast manager, Jeff Knight: 'It certainly looks the part. Having the right styling cues and a more aggressive stance are important on a vehicle in the performance car bracket. The previous MPS always had performance, but it lacked the necessary visual appeal and Mazda has addressed that issue with the new model.

'We have re-evaluated the secondhand value because we believe these factors will increase awareness of the MPS brand and the car's appeal. It is definitely a vehicle that buyers looking for sports car performance should consider.'

With a 260PS, 2.3-litre engine, the super-hatch completes the zero to 62mph sprint in 6.1 seconds, returns 29.4mpg average economy and has a CO2 emissions figure of 224 g/km. It costs £21,500.