Mazda Xedos 9 (1997) – Enthusiast Wanted

In the 1980s, sales of many Japanese brands worldwide had boomed and by the 1990s they gained a bit more bravado. This led, for example, to the launch of Lexus, Toyota’s luxury brand, but Mazda also wanted to attack the established ‘premium’ order. It did that here in Europe with its own brand name, but it stuck the new name Xedos behind it, followed by a number that it borrowed from the bread and butterfamily member. In 1992, for example, we first became acquainted with the Xedos 6, which shared its basis with the 626, and then the Xedos 9 appeared in 1993 as a higher-ranking brother of the 929, which had already disappeared here. The Xedos 9 was the flagship of the European Mazda fleet.

Just like the Xedos 6, the Xedos 9 got a body in which round shapes dominated, fairly subtle headlights and a somewhat more dignified grille than the regular Mazdas. The interior also looked just a bit more creatively stylized than usual and, if desired, you could get the Xedos 9 with almost all modern conveniences of that time. The choice of engines was striking, because it started with a 2.0 liter V6. A modest stroke volume for a six-cylinder, but it did its job a bit more smoothly than the four-cylinder. Those who wanted a little more spice could go for a 2.3 V6 that ran according to the Miller cycle, which was unique at the time. The most popular choice, however, was the 2.5-liter V6, which ended up being the only option and also found in the Mazda Xedos 9 seen here.

In this case, the largest engine did not mean that you also had the most to spend. The Xedos 9 was more expensive with the 2.3 on board, which was also stronger. In addition, you could also go for four-wheel steering with the 2.5 and this copy does not have that. In that sense, it is a relatively modest Xedos 9, although with the 2.0 you really kept your hand on the purse strings. This copy also has about everything you could wish for in terms of electric basic conveniences in your car in 2023. For example, all windows are electrically operated, as are the side mirrors, there is air conditioning and cruise control, but there is also an electrically operated sliding window in the roof. Especially the latter can be delicious at this time of year. It is also an automatic transmission, which you actually prefer in a car like this.

Sounds good all in all, right? There are only a few downsides. For example, the seat upholstery does not look very fresh anymore and there is a cover around the steering wheel for a reason. With 354,000 km on the counter, this Mazda Xedos 9 already has the necessary experience behind it. However, he must be able to handle that. In addition, it seems that it has only had one owner, so that also argues for this copy. Finally, there is the asking price: €1,999. We think you still get quite a lot of car for that money.