I’m going for a MY23 exclusive line which has these, which I prefer to the MY24 2nd pic:
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Yes, agreed.
ND4 isn’t a thing… I presume OP can afford an ND2 or ND3 2.0 as they were testing a pre-reg 1.5? If you’re wanting a sprightlier drive avoid the ND1 2.0, the ND2 & ND3 feel a fair bit faster with the revised engine including higher red line (I’ve owned both).
Yes it’s confusing. “ND4” is often referenced as the current generation, I guess incorrectly. Anyway, going to test drive a ND3 2.0 today.
And, yes, looking for a pre-reg (which would be 2023 spec, currently), or maybe no ‘worse’ than a <10,000m 2yr old to keep the price down. I don’t really want one that’s been through more than one winter as I intend to keep it and want the opportunity to get some underbody protection early in its life. Also good to have a yr’s Mazda warranty left to get any irritations I find sorted out.
e.g.
Unfortunately that is an issue across manufacturers. Believe me, I’m in the market to replace one of the cars in the family, and given the last time I was in this boat (early 2021), reality has hit big time. It’s not just a case of prices in general have skyrocketed, but many of ‘what I fancied’ are either gone (hot hatches in general) AND pre regs, which allow one to get a showroom car with sub 10 miles or so on it, for £thousands less, are like water in a desert. It’s probably a combination of parts/supply chains/transport links still not recovering (or certainly not as of yet) post ‘Covid’, PLUS manufacturers not making them in excess amounts in general anymore, so no over spills at dealerships. Sad times. Remember those days ('18) when I got a 5 miles on it, 1 week old pre reg 2L ND1 for £17,100!! PLUS the almost blanket take over of autos, meaning some cars I’d be interested in are now auto only. In '21, the family got a MINI, new, with £3K off list. Manual trans. Same car now is basically £28.5K (easy £5K more, spec for closest spec), negligible money off, and only in auto and with an electronic handbrake. Not to mention the suit of nannies which new cars now got to have.
In general, it seems the only consistent area where you can feasibly get thousands off with even a cursory search is the electric cars. Probably as Joe Soap (i.e non fleets/salary sacrifice) isn’t buying them in the numbers. No way though I’m going for a sterile, white goods car until I have to. And have you checked out their depreciation!
Regarding your colour preferences, in particular the issues which Deep Crystal Blue which you commented would be irritating, my own pre reg philosophy was I wasn’t fussy on a colour unless I detested it (say Zircon or Platinum Q). Anything else (same with all cars I fancy) I’ll take as I’m feasibly saving £thousands.
Good luck in your search. Take your time.
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Drove the 2.0 (it was actually an RF as that’s all the dealer had) and, for me, it was big (positive) difference albeit, as was said above, perhaps a tad less engaging - are the RF’s less engaging anyway?
I absolutely get that the 1.5 is still a load of fun but I think I’d remain frustrated, particularly when overtaking, and knowing it doesn’t need to be like that…
Congratulations on finding the car that YOU want, all our ‘expert’ views on which engine is ‘best’ are completely worthless.
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Don’t be so harsh on those ‘expert views’. I find them very useful data points from which to form my own opinion 
Next is to decide on the colour I can live with given the cars currenty available 
I did find a nice looking white example (not pre-reg on Autotrader), white being what I’m after ideally, but spending this much I’m too nervous buying from some random dealer - though I’m not sure how much ‘Mazda approved’/buying from Mazda dealer is really worth in terms of come back if things go wrong during/soon after the sale. There’s only so many checks you can do…
At least a car the age I’m looking at will have a residual Mazda warrranty on it, as far as the basic car mechanicals are concerned.
Artic White is the default colour for Scania.
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