Hi Guys,

I'm planning to buy our first family car this month. Wifey and I have got two kids. And so here are our restrictions:
1. Safety/Security -- a car which offers great safety/security features, and is also not a "car-nap-magnet" or easily to be carjacked/car-napped...
2. Budget -- Total Amount should be less than or equal to 775K only. That's the stretch that we can get.
3. Great Fuel Efficiency -- Need i say more?
4. Low/Cheap Maintenance (cheap parts, etc) -- since this is my first car, I don't want to spend my money on this car most of the times. I'd rather spend it to some good investments or put to our savings. As much as possible, we also want to avoid the hassles with the dealers or any annoying problems, etc etc.
5. A/T -- for two reasons: (1) Convenience/Comfort, since I'll be driving mostly within the Metro (EDSA's rush hours) and (2) so my wife can learn to drive easily as well.
6. Big/Enough Trunk space -- This is to accomodate a stroller and some bags and/or groceries during the weekend.
7. Durability -- As a memento and as much as possible, it would be great if my 1st car can still
perform well after 8 - 10 years with minimum maintenance costs, etc etc... I guess that's why I don't consider the resale value since I think I am a keeper or if there's a need to resell it, I think I will sell it to my relatives with the cheapest price they can get. Maybe after 7 or 8 yrs, I'll be getting a SUV by that time.

So here are the choices and which I already did a test-drive too:

A. Honda City 1.3S A/T - Priced at 771K with no discounts and less freebies. The looks are amazing from outside to the interior. The ride is nice though the driver seat seems stiff for me, or I think this is because I'm just a newbie driver. But the rearseat is huge and more comfortable than the driver and passenger seats. I tested it in traffic and I'm not quite impressed with its acceleration in a stop and go traffic.

B. Toyota Vios 1.5G A/T - Priced at 770K (due to discounts) and lotsa freebies. The look of this car is really common. Though I see it cute and clean for the unit that I tested maybe due to the bronze mica body paint, it kinda looks cool with some chrome items or maybe it's not common for the usual PUVs I see in the road. The ride is nice as well and I'm more comfortable with the seats. It also has a roomy interior but not that huge compared with the City. I'm comfortable driving the unit in a stop and go traffic and the steering wheel is light.

C. Ford Fiesta Sedan 1.6 A/T - Priced at 746K (after discounts) and some freebies. This is the cutest or good-looking sedan which I see so far. The interior looks different and advanced. I'm comfortable with the driver seat and it's a great ride. The steering is easier to maneuver compared with the two above. It also has a decent acceleration in a moderate traffic however the car tends to jerk from a series of stop and go -- or I think I need to practice my skill more on how to drive this car. I already wanted to buy this car since it's the cheapest and I think Ford is good nowadays and per reading lots of reviews as well however we are disappointed with its rear legroom or the backseats. I think it's not suitable for a small family.

Here are the other cars which I want to do a test-drive and my pre-comments or questions:

- Hyundai Accent 1.4 A/T -- cheapest large subcompact car that I see nowadays. I found the looks more handsome than the Honda City from front to end. The interior is huge as well. However, I am not confident with this due to some issues which I have been reading lately. <sigh>

- Mazda 2 1.5 Sedan A/T -- I like the look of this car. It's modern and not that too many on the road. I've read positive reviews on this. I haven't been able to look on this car closely as well as to its interior so I think my only dilemma is the backseats that it may not accomodate my two kids plus the yaya or 3 adults (in a night-out or outing).

- Honda Jazz 1.3 A/T -- This is the top 2 for me when it comes to exterior looks or ties with the Honda City. The interior is impressive and also its ULT seat configuration. The problem with this is it is way out of budget and Honda does not offer discounts. Also, Honda has a problem with the production of units these days due to the Thailand flooding. I think this is the best time of the year to buy a car rather than next year. It's not that we can not wait, we are just concerned that the offer of numerous discounts might be gone by early next year as well as our "hard-earned" money due to some irresistible goodies (like gadgets, appliances, etc).

Hope you can help me with the choices guys.

Thanks a lot!

DISCLAIMER: This is my first time to do a car review in a forum so please bare with me. I might be wrong with my opinions above so that's why I need your help. Those are all based from my personal taste and experience with the cars which I've test-driven or seen or checked out.