Mazda Problems

The Ranger, and its cousin from Mazda, is a tough, durable and reliable truck. Neither have any major problems that should concern you. Buy on condition, look for one that has been used privately rather than for work, and make sure it’s been well serviced.

A new master cylinder would cost around $100, a shock absorber about the same.

No. That’s an odd one and needs investigation to determine what’s gone wrong. I’d suggest consulting a diesel engine specialist.

That’s a sexist question that I’m not prepared to answer in the form you’ve asked it. The GT tag is thrown around today by marketing wiz kids with no knowledge of its history, the result is that cars get badged with GT stickers that really aren’t true GTs. The Mazda2 GT is a Mazda2 with a few extra goodies, but sadly no extra grunt or suspension tweaks. If you want to look cool it might appeal, but if you want a real performance-oriented small car try the VW Polo GTi or its bigger brother, the Golf GTi.

You’ve covered some important things, like reversing cameras. All of the current cars come with ISOFIX baby seat mounting points, which are also must-have items when you’ve got kids to transport. It probably comes down to what your wife is comfortable driving, so I would suggest test-driving a number of different cars before making your decision.

It's hard to give you a definite recommendation, as most cargo measurements are in litres rather than floor length, but I reckon most mid-size wagons and large SUVs would do the job for you. 

Most of these have a flat boot floor with the seats folded, and likely have ample body length for sleeping. 

So Mazda6, Skoda Superb or Ford Mondeo wagons are worth a look, plus large SUVs like the Mazda CX-9, Kia Sorento and Hyundai Santa Fe. 

Don't be afraid to try them out for size at the dealers either. You'd certainly test out a mattress before buying right?!

I wouldn’t recommend the Cruze, there have been too many problems with them. The Toyota Corolla, Mazda3 and Hyundai Elantra are all good, reliable cars with plenty of performance for the class. Any one of them would be a good choice.

An assessment of the operating environment usually determines the service interval for each country, and Australia is regarded as harsh compared to many other parts of world with its high temperatures, dust, and long driving distances.

You could consider the Mazda3, Toyota Corolla, or a similar model from a well-respected brand, but your positive experience with the i30 should suggest the new model is the one to go for.