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Buying a quality used car - what do you recommend?

After 20 years of reliable service, my beautiful 1991 Volvo 940GL estate is finally reaching the end of the road, and I need to buy a replacement, of similar quality (if possible!).

New cars are horrendously expensive here in Portugal where I live, so it will have to be a used one, maybe 2-3 years old. Here are my requirements:

Annual mileage - less than 10,000 miles.
Size - not small, but does not need to be as big as my Volvo.
Body - estate preferred, but not essential.
Fuel - any
Quality car with plenty of life left in it.
Budget - about 20k.
What do you recommend I buy?

Asked on 20 January 2011 by Almancilman

Answered by Honest John
Ford Mondeo. Now as good if not better as anything else and drives and rides better than most other cars.
Dear Honest John,

Please help me choose my next car. I would like it to have:
    Select a few terms below
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