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Hello all:

I am looking to buy a reliable and low running cost hatchback. Thanks to this forum i have narrowed down my search. With a budge of 13k i am thinking one of the following:
Mazda 3
Toyota corolla
VW golf

I plan to buy cars made 2006 onwards. Should i still be aware of D4 engine for the corolla? What about the CVT transmissions? VW golf seems to have a bad name for the MK4 as well. There are so many version of the golf, any advise on that?

Thank you!

With the budget you have, I'd suggest the Mazda3 as being the one that would give you the best of everything you're looking for. It has good driving dynamics, styling, ease of maintenance and reliability and would be my choice.
The 1.8 litre engine in the Corolla has a great reputation for reliability, so you need not be concerned about that, and as a generalisation the Corolla has very good all-round reliability. While arguably styling and driving dynamics are perhaps not not quite on par with the Mazda3, the Corolla would also be a good choice - perhaps the "sensible" choice!
The Golf probably offers the best driving dynamics but in this price range, reliability and maintenance costs have the potential to be an issue.