We are looking at buying a Nissan Qashqai or Hyundai ix35 - we have two young children and like the style and space provided by both vehicles, but we are somewhat flummoxed by the finance options. The monthly payments on leases appear attractive, but we are aware there will be a balloon payment, which we hope would be easily covered by the residual value of the car.

As regards the cars, new or just used makes little difference to us. It would be used primarily as a family road car and both vehicles seem to fit that bill. Again, we do like all the little 'comfort extras' that are available on higher range models but they are not 'deal breakers'. This dilemma has only recently arisen as I saw your suggestion in the recent Telegraph edition (Aug 28 2010), which suggested that the Hyundai may be a better option than the Qashqai. Until then we were only looking at the Qashqai.