Which cheap small car should I buy?
Linda doesn’t drive every day but has a 2004 Toyota Echo for when she does need a set of wheels.
Now it’s time for something newer and safer but it still needs to easy to park (space is tight on her street), reasonably practical and cheap to buy and run. Would a 2009 Mazda 2 be a good choice?
The budget
Up to $8000
The shortlist
The second-generation 2s (2007-14) that fall into this budget range were one of the leading light cars of their era and remain a credible choice on the used-car lot today.
There are, though, some question marks that do pop up in this context and price range. There’s also the matter of some other used light hatches that would also stack up pretty roundly in this role. Perhaps, depending on Linda’s particular wants and needs, even better than the Mazda.
2008-14 Honda Jazz, from $4400*
This Honda isn’t without its niggles. The base GLi’s 73kW 1.3-litre petrol engine is a flat performer at low revs and its road manners are competent but uninspiring. Stability control wasn’t on the menu until 2010’s MY11 update, and side/curtain airbags remained an option for the GLi until 2011’s MY12 update.
But pin down any MY12-on example – not an unrealistic goal this money – and the full safety motzah is standard. All Jazzes, meanwhile, aren’t just roomier than your average light hatch but allow you to use more of that space thanks to a clever folding back-seat setup.
They couldn’t be easier to drive or park and, while the base 1.3 engine isn’t a fireball, it is economical. VTi and VTi-S models, meanwhile, have an 88kW 1.5-litre engine that’s stronger but still frugal.
Read Drive’s Honda Jazz reviews:
Road-test comparison: Honda Jazz v Toyota Yaris v Mazda 2 v Suzuki Swift
2011-16 Kia Rio hatch, from $5400*
Lukewarm resale means examples of this Kia tend to be years newer than similarly priced Jazzes on the used-car lot.
That freshness brings some benefits, not the least mandatory side/curtain airbags and stability control. It still looks pretty up to date, is quite roomy and a surefooted, vice-free drive, while the 103kW 1.6-litre petrol engine fitted to upper-level models is strong and quite thrifty. It asks for less frequent servicing than a Jazz (yearly/15,000km versus six-monthly/10,000km).
Pin down a 2014-on example – not impossible in this budget range – and you might just tap into the balance of the seven-year warranty and fixed-price servicing regime introduced by Kia that year.
But it isn’t ultimately as roomy or practical as the Honda and, thanks to the odd low-rent material inside, feels cheaper. The base S’s 79kW 1.4-litre engine is frugal but short on go and refinement, and there are sweeter driving light cars still.
Read Drive’s Kia Rio reviews:
2007-14 Mazda 2, from $5300*
This Mazda makes a strong emotional play with its slick presentation, quality feel, willing 76kW 1.5-litre petrol engine and poised, engaging handling. It’s easy to drive and park, respectably economical and splits its rivals here for servicing convenience (yearly/10,000km), so there’s rational appeal, too.
But you need the right 2 to optimise safety. Stability control and curtain airbags were optional for all but the topline Genki until a 2010 update, so there are plenty around from this era without these features. That year’s update made stability control mandatory but the base Neo wouldn’t pick up standard curtain airbags until another update in late 2011.
Finding a tidy 2011-on model, however, might take some work owing to the 2’s solid resale. Its cosy back seat and small boot (250 litres, versus 337 and 288 for the Jazz and Rio respectively) make it this group’s weakest practical deal, too.
Read Drive’s Mazda 2 reviews:
Road-test comparison: Honda Jazz v Toyota Yaris v Mazda 2 v Suzuki Swift
Drive recommends
Patience and diligence should get Linda around the 2’s safety peculiarities, and a suitably equipped example would be a worthy choice. The best choice of this group, if motoring pleasure is a goal.
The Rio, though, is sharper value, more practical, has a no-exceptions safety deal, still-credible talent and might just get Linda some warranty as well. In strict A-to-B terms, it's a combination of talents that outstrips not just the Mazda but the Honda, too.
That is unless Linda could really benefit from gaining small-wagon-like practicality. Then the niggles that soften the Jazz’s tilt at no-fuss budget-motoring glory are more easily forgiven.
* Values are estimates provided by Redbook based on an example averaging up to 20,000km per annum and in a well-maintained condition relevant to its age.