[thorns]

I would also like to mention that in Sweden, it's mandatory to take a "slippery driving" course where you try to brake in slippery conditions and see what happens. It's also probably one of the more strict countries in respect to passing the driving the test, the rate of passing is around 50% I believe.

I'm a bit cautious about a second hand car, since I really don't have anyone to guide me and neither I have experience in what to look for when buying a second hand, I don't want to buy one and end up with a lemon. Buying a new one seems a more safe bet.

I will also add that I'm 27 years old and have a 2 year old daughter, so I'm a safety conscious driver.. Just got that license a bit late (due to different reasons). Not a 18-yr old hotshot. I just want something comfortable, safe and enjoyable/fun to drive, with good looks and good capacity. I especially enjoy driving at night and the civic's night panel looks badass. I would imagine the civic is actually safer than our current golf as well (bigger tires, much better brakes).

I'm also considering Mazda 3 1.6 exclusive version, like the design. However I'm not sure if you can play mp3s in that (a must for me). The C4 was on a sale with free winter tyres (you need to have them in sweden) and was also running on ethanol, which means you get free parking in the city. I will also go look at Nissan Qashqai tomorrow. I haven't been able to test drive any of the cars simply because I need to have my daughter with me at all times for a few weeks since my girlfriend is away. I will try to fix a small car chair for her and see if I can get some test drives.

I was interested in the civic because when I see the car and look on the interior, it was just a great feeling, and folding up seats and big baggage was really nice too, since we always have lots to carry around.