TOYOTA COROLLA 4D SEDAN (1994-1999)
DULL styling and blue-rinse image aside, the big-booted sedan is an ultra-reliable all-rounder offering good performance, handling, economy and equipment levels. Quality and refinement beat Neon but lack of character makes the Corolla hard to love.

HYUNDAI J2 LANTRA 4D SEDAN (1995-2000)
THIS lusty and economical South Korean sedan is competent to drive, reasonably roomy inside and well equipped if unexciting. Blobby styling is dating rapidly. Build quality not the best, manual gear change is abysmal and resale value is falling steadily.

MAZDA 323 Protege 4D SEDAN (1994-1998)
THE 323 sedan has excellent quality, refinement and performance from the twin-cam, 1.6-litre or 1.8-litre, four-cylinder engines, as well as inspiring handling and a good ride. The Protege is only beaten on features, although it can also be a little noisy. Overall then it's a classy quality small car.

NISSAN N15 PULSAR 4D SEDAN (1995-2000)
PRACTICAL and roomy, well-built, dynamically quite adept, powerful yet very economical 1.6-litre engine and first-class reliability are worthy Pulsar sedan attributes, hiding behind neat but dull styling and unexciting image. It's one of the best value used small sedan buys on the market today.