Mazda 2 Problems

The cars you have been looking at are all good, sound and safe ones that have no serious issues to be concerned about and would give you reliable service for many years to come. Note that all of them are from Asia; I would suggest that you rule out anything from Europe. Another to consider would be the Mitsubishi Lancer.

The claimed average fuel consumption of a 2010 Mazda 2 is 6.8 L/100 km for combined city and country driving. Around town the average is 8.9 L/100 km.

You're not alone feeling the stress of choosing a new car. Toyota's Yaris is the safe choice but you should test drive the Suzuki Swift, since it also gets The Tick. Bargain hard on your favourite.

Mazda Australia tells me your car will arrive this week and, as a goodwill gesture after the delay, you will be getting free window tinting and three years of free roadside assist coverage.

Stick to respected brands like Mazda and Toyota. A 2007-2008 Mazda 2 or Toyota Yaris would meet your requirements and would be good reliable cars for your daughter.

You need to decide on whether you want an SUV or a hatch before you do anything else. The SUV gives you a better view of the road, is practical, and the CX-3 is a good choice, but hatches can also be attractive. I would rule out the Mazda2 in your case, as it would seem to be too small for your needs, but the 3, Corolla and i30 are all good cars that would deliver on the things you want.

We recently reviewed the Honda City as used car buy. To summarise the City has 5-star safety, which means it has all of the safety features you want, it also has the features your daughter wants. Best of all owners are unanimous in their praise for the car. The price is on the high side, but being a drive-away deal you save on government charges, which makes it a pretty good buy.

Do not buy a Cruze, or buy a European brand. They will prove costly. It's best to go for the cars that are well proven over many years. The Lancer is a good one, but so too is the Toyota Yaris or Corolla, Suzuki Swift, Mazda2 or 3, or Mitsubishi Colt.