Try as I might, I cannot fault the Mazda Premacy 1.8 GSi. I spent a long time reading the usual car magazines before purchasing our first proper 'family car'. (According to my wife, the days of wedging a child-seat into the back of an MGB roadster have been consigned to the history books). The car magazines told me that I should be driving a Peugeot 307 SW, so dutifully I gave them a test drive. Verdict:- nice looking but conventional, not very reliable and very expensive new.

A year later I discovered a 115bhp Premacy, 2 years old with 35,000 miles on the clock for £6,000 through Autotrader. I had read some reviews which had dammed the vehicle with faint praise but went along to view it nevertheless. I know that a family runabout isn't the thing to get carried away with but from the moment I first saw (and drove) this car I fell in love. Metallic Paint, alloy wheels electric sunroof, 6 CD autochanger, table at the back, quiet kids! What more could you want from a family car.

Ok so it might not have all the 'clever' storage spaces as the Zafira or Scenic but it's more of an estate than a top-heavy MPV. Its 115bhp engine is both willing and a relaxing long-distance drive. I can visit a Mazda dealer when I (rather than the car) choose to. The kids love it and we spend most of our time trying to spot another Premacy on the road.

Do not believe the car magazines, If like me, you're a family motorist, perceived 'performance' and / or style count for nothing. The value, reliability and satisfaction we get from driving the Premacy mean that it has to be the best car on the road at the moment. Get one quick before word gets around!