Mazda 3 Problems

Definitely not a Cruze as I get lots of owner complaints. If you only need a small car, definitely the Polo. It's a classy little job that's a sporty drive and it gets The Tick.

I couldn’t recommend the Cruze; there are too many problems with its auto transmission, as we have reported here at CarsGuide. Look at the Mazda2 or Mazda3, Toyota Yaris or Corolla, which are generally trouble free.

The most important thing to remember is that the CX-3 is based on the Mazda2, which means it is considerably smaller than the Mazda3. If it has enough space for your needs then go ahead, as it's best of the new baby SUVs, gets The Tick, and leads the class on value.

Both cars are good ones, and I’m sure you would be happy with either of them. If I had to choose I would probably go for the Mazda, for its economy and servicing costs, and I believe it would be a little more comfortable. The Civic is a very good car, though; it’s well built and a delight to drive.

The Golf is great but questionable beyond the warranty, which rules it out for you. The A3 is a Golf under the skin, so that makes the Mazda3 the safe choice but you should also crunch the numbers on an A-Class and test drive to see if it makes you feel more special than the Mazda for your retirement.

I don't have any argument with preventing the driver from using the system while the car is in motion, but also preventing the passenger from using it does seem over the top. Talk to your dealer about how you might have the system changed.

Note that touchscreen inputs in the Mazda 3 are bypassed once the car sets off. This is a safety feature.

You've chosen a good brand in Mazda, and good models in the 2 and 3. Both are good cars and give little trouble, so you can't go far wrong with either one. There are other brands as well, but I would recommend that you stick with Japanese brands and not be tempted by European cars, which can be expensive to service and repair. Look for a car in good condition and well presented both inside and out, a car that drives smoothly, and doesn't have any odd noises or vibrations. Don't take any notice of the salesmen trying to sell you a car; they're just trying to relieve you of your money and some will tell you anything to make that happen. If you can't take a trusted friend along to help you assess a car, consider getting the NRMA to check it for you.

The CX-3 is noticeably smaller than your current car, even thought it gets The Tick. So does the stablemate, which is why I would steer you towards a new Mazda3.

It's hard to be exact without seeing the golf gear but the Mazda3 should be the right size at a good price and it definitely gets The Tick from me.

I would not buy a Golf in the second-hand $10,000 range. The Mazda3 is the best car but he'll probably get better value in a Swift, as it's a size smaller. Buying private will mean better value, but ensure he gets an independent mechanical check.