Mazda 3 2012 Video Review

Do you buy a second hand Commodore for $25,000 or a new Mazda3 Neo automatic for $22,330 plus on-road costs?

Stack up the pros and cons: The Commodore is a big car that is easy to fix, is safe, has a bit of guts and can tow a caravan. Carsguide website shows a few available with 45,000km and some dealers add a three-year warranty. But the V6 engine and automatic transmission create a thirsty mix at 9.5 L/100km and, perhaps, the Commodore is too big for city life.

The Mazda3 Neo wins for practical size, easy to drive manners, safety and fuel consumption of 8.2 L/100km. But it may be too small for a family and the bling factor is tempered by being a base model and the fact there's a brazillion of Mazda3s on the road.

Read the full Mazda3 Neo 2012 review.