City Cars: Gold Star Value Awards 2015

Low-dollar runabouts weighed up.

Holden Barina Spark CD

THE Holden Barina Spark has no excuses for not winning outright – it’s the second-cheapest car of the 2000-odd we put through the wringer, and uses just 5.2 litres of 91-octane petrol per 100km. But, while its resale is not bad at 65 percent, it’s bettered by our top three light-class contenders. It seems that, while sub-light cars appeal as cheap new cars, they’re not quite so hot second-hand. Well, not as good as a light car, or a used small car, which is what we’d buy for 13 grand. But then you wouldn’t get that new-car smell, or a three-year warranty, which is where the little Lion comes firmly back to the fore.

Suzuki Celerio

SUZUKI’S sub-light hatch costs just 100 bucks more than the Barina Spark, sheds a similar amount over the first three years (about $4600) and is even thriftier at 4.7L/100km.

Nissan Micra ST

THE Micra straddles the sub-light and light classes on price – and personality – yet it puts up a fight against cheaper rivals here thanks to a stout 67 percent resale figure.