What would you recommend as the best/most reliable estate car? I currently own a 2005 Mondeo Ghia X diesel automatic that has so far provided excellent service. It is used mainly for fairly frequent trips between South East London and Christchurch, Dorset, returning an average of 45 mph (The current mileage is 48,000). It can take anything I throw at it (a 6ft long 3-seater settee was the latest) and comes with quite a few extras. A replacement must be automatic (I have never understood the obsession in this country of having to press your left foot up and down while moving the left hand around) and have cruise control. It will never have to carry golf clubs, but as a keen gardener it will have to take large bags of compost and manure, lots of plants and also cope with numerous trips to the dump to get rid of rubbish. I'm more than happy with a used car, and have about £13,000 plus whatever my Mondeo is worth. I originally opted for diesel on the assumption that this would compensate for the lower mpg achieved by an automatic, but would appreciate your advice on whether you'd recommend diesel automatics.