What should I consider while buying my first car?

Hello Paul, I am considering buying my first car. I am in dilemma whether to buy the Honda Fit Hybrid, Nissan Note or Toyota Vitz. This is a car I wish to drive for more than five years. Kindly comment on efficiency, fuel consumption, durability, availability of spare parts and cost of repairs. Samuel

Hello Samuel, the three sub-compact super hatch cars you are looking at are serious rivals for the compact hatch trophy because they are all built with small, fuel efficient engines, spacious designs with safety and reasonable comfort in mind, practicality and reliability for easy getaway. 

Using the parameters you have requested, we can only cherry pick while we outline the differences and score for each of the super hatches. For engine efficiency (power and highway fuel economy) the Nissan Note has a clear lead with its two 1.2 litre engines the supercharged HR12DDR (output 97hp) and naturally aspirated HR12DE (output 78hp) both of which share a fuel economy of 25.2 KM/litre. 

The Toyota Vitz comes second in the efficiency segment with the 1.0 litre 1SZFE engine (output 69.1 hp) fuel economy 24.5 KM/L, 1.3 litre 2NZFE (output 84 hp) with 23.5 KM/L and 1.5 litre 1NZFE (output 109 hp) and fuel economy of 22.5 KM/L. Honda Fit trails with a slight margin, its 1.3 litre (output 94 hp) fuel economy 20.6 KM/L while the 1.5 litre (output 98 hp) with fuel economy 19 KM/L. 

In terms of durability, the three cars come from reputable car manufacturers renowned for good quality of workmanship ensuring durable, safe and comfortable cars. In terms of availability of parts, the Nissan Note and Toyota Vitz are better than the Honda Fit while service cost is the same. The Nissan Note and Toyota Vitz are neck and neck.