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After looking through what feels like every listing on trade me I have narrowed my next car purchase down to the above three. I personally like the Verisa the most and have read a few posts on here about all three of these cars, but just wanting to put these three options out there and see what other peoples experiences are with these cars.
So the cars I am looking at are in between 2001 up to 2006. They vary with the kms but generally are all around the $5 to $5.5k mark. I am wanting a vehicle for myself and my two kids. We mostly do short trips around town, but go out of town for a big drive every two weeks - generally 860km round trip - so would like something that is good on fuel and on the open road. Boot space is not of high importance to me, but then again I don't want to be struggling to fit a suitcase in.

Given that you travel a long distance every two weeks, I'd suggest the Verisa would be the better option. These have a 1.5 litre engine and will handle the longer trip better than the Demio or Vitz, which are likely to be either 1.0 litre or 1.3 litre. Also, many of the Vitz models and some Demios have a CVT transmission, which from this era, could pose problems.

The verisa is a 2004 1.6 model with 141000 kms and the vitz is a 2004 1.5 with 93500 kms. The vitz is $700 more.

OK, I'm not aware of a 1.6 Verisa, as all those I've seen have been 1.5, but I'll take your word for it. Either way, it's a better bet than a 1.0 or 1.3 litre car, although at 141,000km, the kms are getting up.
If the Vitz you're considering is a 1.5, I presume it's the Vitz RS? This is a good model, and while it's quite a small car for a long trip, with 93,000kms I think it may be your better option.

Yeah I think it must be 1.5 but they have written 1.6
Am leaning towards the vitz but the verisa is very cool looking