The dilemma

Scott is helping his youngest daughter buy her first car. She wants something stylish, he wants her to be safe and avoid mechanical woes that could leave her stranded or empty her bank account. She wants a Volkswagen Golf or Citroen C4, he'd prefer she get something dependable like a Toyota Corolla, a car she hates. Is there a used small petrol hatch that might break the stalemate?

The budget

$7500

The shortlist

Scott is right on one front. Mechanical trouble, sometimes costly, isn't unheard of with European small cars when they get some years behind them, so they are a risk for buyers on a tight budget, unlike the ever-dependable, uber-affordable Corolla.

But there are also small cars that dial up the interest factor without jettisoning more prosaic concerns, so his daughter's desire for a stronger flavour isn't unreasonable. Or, as one of our contenders shows, unachievable.

And even if Scott chose to pull rank and force an ultra-sensible path, there is a small car in this price range that might just do better than his yardstick.

2007-12 Hyundai i30, from $4400*

This Hyundai, like a Corolla, isn't a car to get excited about. It's bland to look at, its 2.0-litre petrol drivetrain is good not great and there's nothing interesting about how it drives.

Its quality comes up a little short in this company. The cabin trims, plastics and carpets can look tatty on well-used examples. It has reputation for being dependable but prone to the odd minor niggle.

But the i30 is a fundamentally solid small car and examples in this budget range tend to be years newer than Corollas and other leading small-car names. Pick up a post-2009 MY10 model and you get six airbags (including head-protecting curtains) and stability control regardless of model.

It asks for less frequent servicing than its Japanese rivals here (yearly/15,000km versus six-monthly/10,000km) and falls under the wing of a lifetime fixed-price servicing scheme where they have none.

Read Drive's Hyundai i30 reviews: 

Used-car review: Hyundai i30

2004-09 Mazda 3, from $2900*

This Mazda's slick exterior and smart, high-quality cabin make it much more appealing than an i30 or Corolla.

Its agile, engaging road manners and responsive 2.0-litre petrol engine make it more fun to drive, too.

It has a reputation for hanging together and being trouble-free over the long haul.

But the 3's petrol engine on the thirsty side for a small car and it's noisier than most alternatives on the open road.

Getting one with curtain airbags is easy (all but the base Neo got them, and they were optional for that model) but stability control less so. It only arrived in a 2006 update and only the topline SP23 Luxury Pack got it standard – finding a tidy one of those could be tough in this budget range and lower level models that have it optioned won't be thick on the ground.

Read Drive's Mazda 3 reviews:

Used-car review: Mazda 3

2001-07 Toyota Corolla, from $2000*

This Toyota's reputation for trouble-free, affordable running is a golden asset for the cash-strapped buyer.

Its 1.8-petrol engine serves up reasonable performance and thrift. It's competitively practical, easy to drive, easy to park and has no nasty driving characteristics.

But the Corolla's lack of visual interest and street cred are turn-offs for anyone seeking a bit of pizzazz. While there's nothing wrong with how it drives, it doesn't exactly charm or threaten benchmarks.

It's middling value on the used-car lot and its safety artillery is this group's weakest – the best you can expect is twin front airbags and anti-lock brakes, and plenty of examples will have even less than this.

Read Drive's Toyota Corolla reviews:

Used-car review: Toyota Corolla

Drive recommends

The Corolla badge is still one that first-time buyers can trust implicitly but in this price bracket the i30's safety-kit advantage literally makes it the safer choice.

However, while the Hyundai is a dream first car for parents it's just as much of a charisma-free zone as its Japanese rival and likely to be resisted by Scott's daughter just as rigorously.

The 3, contrastingly, might just evoke a positive reaction and if it has all the right safety gear Scott can be happy as well. The tough part will be finding a suitably equipped example, but a little sifting and patience could be worth it for some long-term peace and peace of mind.

* 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.

Strong points