Mazda Problems

You'll find most cars will be noisy on that type of surface and I'd be loath to recommend one without having driven it on your roads. Another possible solution if you like the Mazda 6 is to remove the rear seats and install some sound deadening on the wheel arches.

The Camry is a good choice, it's well-built and reliable, and won't cost the Earth to service. Another to consider would be the Mazda 6, also a well-built and reliable car of about the same size as the Camry.

You don’t say what makes it hard to get in and out for you, so I’m taking a stab in the dark. There are a couple of possibilities, one being that the doors are too short and don't open wide enough, another is that it’s too low. A move to a mid-size hatch like a Mazda6, Honda Accord or Subaru Liberty would probably address the first, while a high-riding SUV such as a Kia Sportage, Hyundai iX35 or Mitsubishi ASX would help with the second.

The only reason to go European with that budget is to buy a badge, as the Asian cars do the job and are surprisingly classy with great warranty. Once again, I'd send you first to Kia to check out the Sportage.

Yes, I agree that SUVs are a good choice of vehicle for older drivers; as you say they afford you a good view of the road ahead and your surroundings, and they're easier to get in and out of. They are, however, larger and that can make them awkward for older drivers who have a greater tendency to bump into things. If you choose an SUV the CX-5 is a good one. Should you decide against the SUV you could look at the Mazda 6, Subaru Liberty, Toyota Camry, Kia Optima or Honda Accord. All are good cars. Another to think about is the Subaru Outback, a high-riding version of the Liberty.

I couldn't say with any confidence that the problem has been sorted and I would be reluctant to recommend the car to you given that you travel short distances. I have asked Mazda to comment and will get back to you once that response has been received.

If you don’t want a convertible, which rules out the MX-5 as my easy first pick, then the 86 is the car for driving enjoyment on a reasonable budget. But don’t overlook its Subaru twin, the BRZ, which is my choice of the two. Both get The Tick, having shared our Car of the Year award.

The i40 is a good choice; it ticks most of the boxes. It’s well equipped, well built, reliable and durable. You could also look at wagons like the VW Passat, Ford Mondeo and Mazda 6, but it’s hard to go past the i40.

Mazda spokeswoman Karla Leach recommends that owners contact their dealer to ensure the latest free-of-charge update of the MZD Connect is fitted. "As mobile phones and their operating systems are continually evolving, thanks to the introduction of new models and updates, on occasion there may be connectivity issues," she says.

Drive the VW Golf to calibrate yourself with the best car in the class, but go ahead and buy the Hyundai because it's the modern-day Corolla and definitely gets The Tick from me.