I have to buy a replacement car for one of my managers. She currently drives a 2006 Colt CZ1. This car will go to my daughter who will be 17 in August. I have considered the Aygo which is a very good car but very basic, albeit with 100 per cent capital allowances. The alternatives are a Panda 1.1 Eco in either white or yellow at £5995 on the current offer, or a CZ1 Colt, registered in April with 10 months' tax, 3 years' free servicing, and a 'protection pack' which is worth £200 now, say £100 in three years; at £7195.

It seems to me that there is not much in this. The Panda will depreciate by 60 per cent in three years and, in white, may not be easy to sell. The Colt's real cost is about £6800 and will depreciate by about 50 per cent. Incidentally, I bought a new Santa Fe in 2007 and am seriously impressed, aside from the lack of RDS and naff plastic wood facia. I have wondered about buying a Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet for my wife. We would then use the Santa Fe for dog and hockey kit transport (my daughter is the team goalkeeper) but I wonder about the chances of the Merc becoming some sort of classic in due course. We test drove the Jaguar XF but the rigid back seat 'bar' ruled it out. What's your advice?