Dear all,

Would like some advise on the 2 choices above? I have recently decided on Mazda 2 but the Peugeot 208 is really attractive to me. None of my family members or friends has driven Peugeot cars before as they tend to favour Japanese cars.

Can I just get more advice in terms of maintenance/ fuel consumption from you guys?

What's your priority in getting a car? Your choice wouldn't be complete without Ford Fiesta - the leader in subcompact car.

maintenance peugeot would be a bit more expensive but fuel consumption is about the same

peugeot 208 is better spec, newer technology, safer and would probably drive better than mazda 2 and more desirable than the mazda atleast on malaysian eye

If just between Mazda 2 and Pug208, the Pug offers wwwaayyy more value for money. It has a larger engine, it has 6 airbags and ESC, it has a touchscreen HU, auto wipers, auto headlamps, dual zone climate control, autofold side mirrors.....etc.

By comparison, the Mazda2 is like Mazda's version of Toyota Vios, overpriced but underequipped.

Hi, my priority is car selection will just be its fuel consumption and maintenance costs. Previously I have opted for Mazda 2 because it's a Japanese brand that I think it's more common in Malaysia and hence ford fiesta is not in my choice list. But I have just gone to test drive Peugeot 208 today and it really impressed me in terms of its exterior and interior.

In short, I actually like Peugeot 208 more, just need some confirmation that its fuel consumption is ok, and the maintenance cost would not cost a bomb.

In terms of driving experience, will there be any major diff between continental and Japanese cars? Any views/ advice on this?

Then also test drive the Fiesta if the 208 already impressed you. They have different strong points.

Actually, amongst Japanese cars the Mazda 2 is probably the best in terms of giving you a conti feel, but it is also the least common Japanese B segment car (besides the Swift), which means maintenance and spare parts won't be that good either. The Fiesta is already relatively successful, the 208 looks like it will be too.

Thus I would GUESS that there is not much difference between owning these cars.

Generally speaking though a conti will be more composed at high speeds/easier and less dangerous to drive, it will also be much safer (both by preventing accidents and by giving much better protection in the case of an accident). Japanese cars tend to be more focused on being cheaper to produce (less safety equipment = more profits for the manufacturer) and on comfort through a soft suspension. They IMHO tend to be less refined...

I think Ford Fiesta is pretty common (at least in KL) and definitely is seen as often as a Mazda 2 (or even more I suppose). Fuel consumption for Mazda 2 and Fiesta are pretty good, at least for Fuelly's users.
http://www.fuelly.com/car/ford/fiesta/gas%20l4
http://www.fuelly.com/car/mazda/2/gas%20l4

Real-life data for 208 is pretty sacred at the moment, but I believe it wouldn't differ too much among them.
Conti car always is not as maintenance friendly as Japanese, whether it's being friendly towards your wallet or the inventory of your service centre.

Don't worry about the fuel consumption issues you heard about conti cars. We are not in the 70s or 80s anymore.

Maintenance? No issues for me. I've 3 french cars in my car porch. old and new. no issues, no problem.

Go test for a test drive and feel for yourself.

What about the resale value? Is it going to be ok since Peugeot is not that common in Malaysia?

Just like any other France brands, unfortunately the resell value is going to drop like a stone! I think just in the first year it'll drop at least by 15-20K already. Just take example of the 308, when new around 120K then in just about 3 yrs old already drop to just around 60-70K! So if you want to buy Peugeot, I suggest you buy used one after 2-3yrs old.

Btw., fuel consumption is EXTREMELY important to Europeans. Remember they pay around RM 6-7 per liter. Yes, they may earn more, but it's still a very important factor.

In JB I also see more Fiestas than 2s, though there are more and more Mazdas overall.

B segment cars usually don't drop nearly as much as C or worse yet D segment cars. The Fiesta seems quite stable in terms of RV? Also the 308 was hurt by gearbox problems with earlier batches, so that drives down RV too. IMHO it is too early to predict. But if I had to, I'd say for the time being (until people get more safety conscious) it won't be as good as Vios and City (though the current Vios may drop quite a bit when the facelift/new model (whatever it is) arrives). But RV probably won't be horrible, perhaps on a similar level to the Fiesta, 2, ... It is a rather desirable car after all, people are digging it.

Not just gearbox but also camshaft problems. Other Peugeots' RV historically also drop like a stone, maybe in nominal value not as much as C segment but in percentage is almost the same drop.

I presume you mean Peugeot has quite good fuel consumption?

Probably, and so may the Fiesta (though the current one is using an older engine... the next Fiesta (soon?) may get a 1.0 that should be quite frugal.
http://paultan.org/2013/03/26/ford-fiesta-...h-1-0-ecoboost/
(The Fiesta in Malaysia is imported from Thailand, so if they get the 1.0 Ecoboost we'll probably get it too...).

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Ts, in the end what car did you bought?