The dilemma Janine is helping her daughter buy a second-hand car as she has spent quite a few dollars keeping her high-mileage vehicle on the road. She wants something economical, after 1999, reliable - and under $5000.
"We seem to come across the Toyota Vitz/Echo/Platz, the odd Nissan Pulsar and HoldenBarina," she says. "I want her to get a safe car and ABS brakes plus airbags are No1 on the list for me.
"Looking up car safety reports I find that the European [Ancap] site might give a car a 3-star rating while the Australian site gives the same car a 1-star rating, and the NZ site doesn't list all cars.
"She drives on a motorway to work so would be driving at 100km/h most days, as well as around Auckland."
For those on limited budgets, the reality is reliability tends to become a higher priority than safety.
It is accepted that European vehicles built in the mid-to-late 90s were superior safety-wise to the Asian brands rolling off the assembly lines at the same time.
Reliability was a different story, however. Japanese carmakers especially produced cars which required fewer visits to the garage than the Euro brands - though it never pays to assume every Japanese car is bullet-proof.
An older vehicle doesn't have to be an unsafe car, provided the driver is taught to understand some common road-handling skills. Reading the road, understanding technical jargon such as over-steer and under-steer, learning how and when to brake and corner will improve driver skills and provide some peace of mind.
There are companies offering advanced training at affordable prices (www.nationaladvanced.co.nz is one I would recommend).
For those on limited budgets the safest vehicle can often be the one with the better-educated driver.
I suggest you stick to the tried and proven Japanese models. Avoid Constant Variable Transmissions (CVT) in this price bracket and if buying privately look for long-term ownership with a proven service history. Buying from a reputable licensed trader (dealer) should not be ruled out. You may pay a little more but you may gain protection from the Consumer Guarantees Act.
The budget: $5000
2000 Toyota Echo/Vitz
Essentially the same car; the NZ new versions were called Echo and the used imports Vitz. Don't drop below 1.3-litre and if she can handle a manual all the better for power, economy and long-term reliability.
2000 Hyundai Accent
Very few used imports available so a good chance of finding one with long-term ownership, reasonable mileage and proven service history.
2000 Nissan Pulsar Proven reliability and good value for money. Check thoroughly for body corrosion.
