Which MX-5?

I have a 15 year old MX-5 and would love to buy the latest model as this would give me more usable all year round fun. However, a revised MX-5 is due in 2015 - should I wait or buy now regardless? Would...

Best diesel estate for £8000?

I am looking to buy an economical and reliable estate with good rear leg room, but only looking to spend up to £8000. I travel around 20,000 miles a year with a mixture of motorway, A & B roads and town...

Which Octavia - or do I buy the Hyundai i30?

I'm looking at a 2010 2.0 PD diesel Skoda Octavia L&K with 122,000 miles for £6750 or a 2008 1.8-litre L&K petrol Skoda Octavia with 22,000 miles for £5950. Normally you would advise the newer car with...

Insight, Prius or Civic Hybrid?

I can buy a Honda Civic hybrid for less money than an Insight and it appears to be better finished but you seem to say the Insight drives better. I can afford a pre 2009 1.5 Prius or a 2010 Insight, which...

Buying a Mondeo EcoBoost - good bet?

I'm looking at buying an 18 month old Ford Mondeo 1.6 Ecoboost with 37,000 on the clock, for around £11500. Any views on the high mileage reliability of this engine.

U need a used, reliable family car with space for child seats

We have plans to grow our family in the coming year or so from one to two children, and I have just discovered that my trusted 2003 Honda Civic won't fit two child car seats plus granny in the back. We...

What alternative to a Mazda5?

Our much loved 2008 Mazda 5 TS2 was written off last week and we are now in a difficult position looking for a new car with a very limited budget. This will be around £5,000-6,000. The car needs to be...

Is it OK to negotiate over the phone?

I am interested in buying a used Kia Optima. I have a specific budget, so is it reasonable to ask the dealer on the telephone if there is any movement on the price? (If I have seen something similar, or...

Buying a 4x4 to cope with flood aftermath

Unexpectedly, I urgently need to swap my Ford Focus (56 plate Zetec Climate, 1.8 petrol 57k miles) for a car with four wheel drive and much more ground clearance. We live at the end of a steep farm track...

Does the previous Qashqai have a DPF?

I'm buying a used Nissan Qashqai and I tend to only make short journeys. Will I get DPF problems with a diesel?