‘Magnificent driver’s car’ says Jeremy Clarkson of surprisingly quick Mazda that can be bought for less than £7,000

A SURPRISINGLY quick Mazda6 that Jeremy Clarkson once raved about can be picked up second-hand for just £7,000.

The little-known super saloon from the early 2000s once rivalled the likes of the Ford Mondeo ST220 and the Vauxhall Vectra VXR - and could be considered a future classic.

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The Mazda6 MPS - which stands for 'Mazda Performance Series' - was a fun and fast family car released in short supply between 2006 and 2007.

With a turbocharged 2.3-litre four-cylinder engine - and all-wheel drive traction - the Mazda6 MPS could produce 256 bhp and reach 60 mph in just over six seconds.

While it doesn't quite have the appeal of the Subaru Impreza or Mitsubishi Evo of the same era, it certainly stands out when it comes to price.

A used example with around 55,000 miles on the clock can be picked up for just £7,000, which represents plenty of bang for your buck - although they are reasonably hard to find with just around 800 examples produced in the UK.

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However, if you do find one, then you'll be getting a motor that, along with its excellent performance, doesn't compromise on practicality, accommodation or everyday usability - with four doors, a premium sound system, automatic climate control and a navigation system as standard.

It even boasts the seal of approval from Clarkson - who once said the Mazda6 MPS is "not even remotely interesting to behold but when you turn the key and go for a drive it’s just amazing."

Put your foot down and bang, you’re off!

Jeremy Clarkson

In an article for , he added: "Under the bonnet there’s a turbocharged 2.3 litre direct injection engine that fires 256 bhp at the four-wheel-drive system.

"This means there’s none of the torque steer you’d get from a powerful front-wheel-drive car. Put your foot down and bang. You’re off.

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"Six seconds later you’ve exploded past 60 and shortly thereafter, on a wall of intoxicating exhaust roar, you’re up past 140 and you’re thinking: “I really wasn’t expecting this.”

"The Proton radiator grille and the complete lack of fuss and brouhaha give no hint at all that this is a magnificent driver’s car."

Jezza also put the Mazda6 MPS through its paces on an episode of Top Gear, which he summarised brilliantly with: "I have driven £100,000 coupes that are less fun than this."

Another motor loved by Clarkson is a hot hatch he described as a "mini Lamborghini" and it can be bought for just £5,000.

Elsewhere, a car expert urged drivers to seek out the cheapest nearly new EV with "biggest drop in value" - it's a proper second-hand bargain.

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