Mazda 2

"How should we photograph our long-term Mazda 2?" That was the question I had to consider over the weekend. Should we demonstrate its versatility by loading it full of packing crates ready for my impending house move? Should we show it nipping through city traffic as it does on a daily basis? Or should it be full of kids as it often is at weekends?

Well, unfortunately none of the above. As I was considering my choices, someone else was pondering what might be in the Mazda's boot. They smashed the rear passenger quarterlight window, dropped the back seat and discovered... nothing. Years of city dwelling have taught me never to leave so much as a newspaper in a car boot overnight.

But while I was still fuming at the break-in, my anger turned to relief as I realised the thieves had done me a favour. I simply called out Autoglass and there it was - a tailor-made photoshoot. What is it they say about clouds and silver linings?

The Autoglass man came the next afternoon, and fixed the window efficiently, despite having to stop and pose for the occasional picture. On reflection, the most irritating thing about the whole affair was that it would never have happened if the roller blind-style parcel shelf had not been pulled across the boot space. Then the inquisitive thieves would have seen the empty space and moved along.

Ironically, the shelf is so tricky to use that it spends most of the time wedged diagonally across the load area anyway. I don't know what possessed me to install it properly that particular evening - but I've learned my lesson the hard way.

This has done nothing to dilute my enthusiasm for the Mazda, which has grown steadily since its arrival in March. I've come to love its individuality, and have also found it more entertaining to drive than my previous long-termer - a Honda Jazz. The ride is more forgiving, while the 1.6-litre engine has a lot more power and low-range pull. The weighting of the controls is spot-on, too.

From what I can remember of our ex-long-term Fiesta, the Mazda feels as crisp and agile as its Ford cousin. I've also been impressed by the 2's cruising ability. Unlike the Jazz, which was short-geared and noisy at 70mph, the Mazda takes motorways in its stride. I've done a number of long-haul trips across Britain, and every time I've arrived fresh and ache-free. Not bad for a supermini.

However, with the improved performance have come bigger fuel bills. Indeed, I've been able to eke an average of only 32.2mpg out of the 2 to date. Given that the Jazz often returned 40mpg, I was expecting a little more from the Mazda.

But despite the 2's many good points, storm clouds are appearing on the horizon. The firm's traditionally unshakable reputation for build quality and reliability could be about to take a knock. The first potential problem is the brakes. Although I have not noticed any deterioration in stopping power, the pedal box has started hissing. It manifests itself only when the brakes aren't in use - so as soon as the pedal is touched, the noise stops. Puzzling.

Other problems are rather more obvious. The trim is wearing in a number of areas, notably the seat cushions and door frames. The former have become a little threadbare in places, while the rubber around the latter has come adrift. Small points, I know, but not what we've come to expect from Mazda. Let's hope it's simply a temporary blip.