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Hello,
I am after a car which is really economical, has maximum space for its size, 4 door, is super reliable and takes both a roof rack and a tow bar for up to 3 bikes. I am deciding between a Mazda Demio and a Nissan Cube and hear that both can have tow bars and both can have roof racks, the demio from 2007 on and the Nissan Cube from 2002 on.
I have about $10,000 to spend . I trialed a Toyota Sienta but the transmission was CVT which I have been warned from.
would you recommend these cars and if so which would be the better of the two do you think?
If neither is there a better model and make?
Thank you.
Naomi

I'm not really sure you're comparing apples with apples here. The Demio (or NZ New model, Mazda2) is not the old boxy shape which would compete with the 2002 Nissan Cube. It's competitors would be cars like the Suzuki Swift, Toyota Yaris and perhaps Nissan Micra/March.
From a reliability point of view, all these cars enjoy fairly good reputations. However, beware that many Japanese import models have CVTs which aren't so reliable and can be expensive to fix.
If you can find a good, low mileage model of any of these vehicles with the traditional 4 speed automatic transmission, as opposed to the CVT, they should prove to be reliable and economical.

Thank you. A person selling a 2007 model Nissan Cube says that all cars now have cvt but that they are o.k from 2007 on. Would that be correct?
Naomi

No that's not correct. Not all cars have CVTs, however, from around 2010 most Japanese manufacturers have adopted CVTs.
We're assured by the manufacturers that reliability and longevity has been addressed with the new CVTs, with a new generation drive band system.
To our knowledge, the 2007 Nissan Cube isn't late enough to fall into this category and we have heard of CVT issues with the Nissan Cube.

Thanks for that. Will consider the mazda 2 or demio and have a look at the Toyota Spacio. Want something smaller but just as trusty as my 1995 Toyota Carib which my son has bought from me.