A Mazda 323 “station wagon” put us all through college and 120,000 miles later, with only oil changes as a maintenance program, we acquired respect for the reliability of the brand and later went on to purchase an equally reliable and economical 626 hatchback.

The Mazda3 was a throw back in time and we simply fell in love with the car all over again. At $16,895 MSRP we think it’s a good value but when we added on the leather seats, navigation system, moon roof, xenon headlights, enhanced braking system and 6-CD-package, the bottom line hit $22,154. Still, it’s a good deal, especially if you factor in the trouble-free reputation.

Okay, so it won’t take pole position at any racetrack, but it felt quite stable and sure-footed and delivers consistent power. You get the five-door split-fold rear seats for versatility and a very easy car to drive in the city. An all-aluminum variable-valve-timing engine propels you effortlessly on freeways. We certainly appreciated the smooth gear box with short throws and the slightly hard clutch reminding us of much pricier sports cars.

Read a review of the 2007 Mazdaspeed 3

Warranty/Service: 48-month/50,000 mile bumper-to-bumper warranty with 24-hour roadside assistance.