Driven a few cars (in the price range OP has mentioned) on the motorway. Gonna post some unbiased reviews. Everyone has their different opinions so whatever you say wont change the way I think about these cars.
1) 2006 Chevrolet Optra LS: Rides beautifully soaking up bumps like most high end cars do, stable at high speeds and drives like a tank but fuel thirsty.
2) 2008 Nissan Sunny EX: Soft suspension, brilliant ride quality, excellent all-round visibility, low cabin noise at high speeds and economical but with a manual. Autos just dont have the top end performance.
3) 2006 Toyota XLI: Medium-Hard suspension but durable, fuel economical, pathetic brakes, poor visibility and unstable at high speeds but worse is the cabin noise. Has 7 less horsepower compared to the sunny 1.3 so sluggish high end performance.
4) 2006 Honda City I-DSI: Medium-Soft suspension, economical and good engine response. However, not stable at high speeds and a little cramped interior compared to the mentioned cars.
5) 2006 Suzuki Liana Lxi: Medium suspension, some what economical, has the notorious coil problem if your engine gets wet, gets to a 100 quickest in this lot of 1.3's, excellent brakes, poor all round visibility, like the city and corolla, not stable at high speeds. Poor rear seat design.
I woudnt go for a car more than 10 years old. God knows what kind of problems it may have in store for you. Newer cars tend to have lesser problems unless they have been used by some1 who dsnt give s rat's a** about his car.