Whilst there are a number of "single-purpose" cars I'd buy if funds were unlimited, I've given up thinking too far in advance of a car purchase because manufacturers always want to move models from one market sector to another. Unlike many contributors my cars need to be acceptable at everything rather than brilliant at one thing.

Going back, Vauxhall did this to me twice - the Cavalier 3 did "what it said on the tin" very well but the Vectra-B had no merits at all although the Vectra-C was back to form - the Astra-G was a major step up from previous Astra's but progress halted after that.

My 2006 Subaru Outback had two weaknesses, cramped interior and poor fuel consumption, but all good apart from that - so what do they do with the current model, they make it bigger, that's fine, but ruin the handling and still don't make a diesel automatic.

My 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe has all I need now (times change), it's a spacious 7-seater that has good handling and fuel consumption for a 2 tonne car - but by all accounts the ix45 replacement will be smaller and less ground clearance so I've no idea what to eventually replace it with, not a Kia Sorento with too much bling and still got the wallowy handling that the Hyundai got rid of in 2009-2010.

Most of my cars have been at the value end of the market when new, that's a big plus point, but it's not a limiting factor - when Jaguar start building the SUV at Castle Bromwich on the lightweight platform I'll give it good consideration even if it has a green oval badge on!

Edited by RT on 13/09/2011 at 09:26

I was looking at the new Sportage on Sunday. But in the spec I wanted it's 27K which I feel is a heck of a lot for a Kia. The Qashqai by comparison just didn't seem to be quite as good but was just as pricey.

Plus I'm concerned about the DPF and DMF issues. I think I'll just run my Xtrail into the ground instead. Running it on LPG I get the equivalent of 40mpg it's just that I bitterly resent the annual rape via the VED. I was hoping to save a bit of cash. Not going to happen.

Build quality has gone up considerably on Hyundai Kia Group models but the Kia models do seem to be priced higher, particularly considering the 4wd models are built on Hyundai platforms, ix35 in the case of Sportage.

For £1,130 less than the Sportage KX-3 4wd you could get the bigger Hyundai Santa Fe Premium but you would need to add £515 for the sat nav which the Santa Fe doesn't get as standard.

DMF isn't a problem on automatics and DPF isn't a problem as long as you ensure dealers use the correct engine oil grade.

Impreza out of your budget? How about a new shape 57 plate with FSH for £6,799? www.cargiant.co.uk/Subaru/details-505128-Subaru.as...0

77K miles though.

I went pn a journey in one of those Mitsubishi Lancer a while back; lent to us for work travel to a site. It was so quiet at low speeds that the driver didn't know he had stalled at one stage.

I will not frighten people!!! How very dare you! :-P

I have a short-list for my next car; suffice it to say in about 9-12 months I will certainly be on the lookout for a MX-5, but I do like the Hyundai Coupè's attributes (on paper; gotta test one yet), and yes, I like that Nissan 350Z but the sensible part of my brain says no to that or a TT. Mr B and I also should have an Audi A6 estate in place of the Celica as well, by that stage.

If the Range Rover does for my 4x4 lust for a while, I fancy a Citroën C6 next. I was looking at getting a Rover 75 before they get too old but I've decided I just like the C6 too much. Still a couple of years off needing another car hopefully - unless this one turns out to be a disaster. 6K miles so far and not a single problem - amazed? Me too.

Buster, what about a Volvo XC60?

You were unlucky with your Yeti, whereas my experiences with VAG have been uniformly excellent (two Golf estates, an Audy A4 Avant and most recently two Octavia vRS estates).

With the current one only six months old, I'm not looking for a 'next car' just yet. When this one is in its third year I'll be 65 and will see what I can afford.

Storming to the top of the list comes the MB E-Class Estate. Unbelievably good with the 206 bhp petrol six cylinder. I'd like to try a 191bhp diesel six too but I fear I am smitten already.

It felt like a proper Merc, like they used to be.

If it's a Mazda 6 diesel, it may 'die' sooner than you think. If it's a petrol it could go on forever.

You know you are allowed to like automatics, it doesnt have to be purely medical. Alot of the purists will disagree. Im not keen on estates either, the only crossover i even sort of like is the 3008. The new Mondeo is massive, even i could roll around in the boot.

What about, and i cant believe im about to say this....Toyota Prius? Big, automatic, economy can match or better that of an automatic diesel of that size.

You used to be a fan of the Berlingo, MLJ: given that Citroen isn't on the shortlist in your last line, have you gone off it?

I've never tried one, but it's always seemed to me like a car that suits a particular set of priorities, and suits them well. Steve Cropley of Autocar, who knowa sa thing or two about cars, has had one as a family hack for some time.

For some reason it always makes me think of the 1940s Jowett Bradford.

Diesel or petrol? That is the question. Are diesel engines really more difficult, more problems with injection? A Megane? A Toyota Terra? Something for 2 people, good in bad weather, snow, ice etc. Preferably with fewer problems than the VW Tiguan. Suggestions?

Hello there. Thats a hard question to answer as its so broad but on the whole alot of modern diesels (last 5 years or so) have had problems with the DPF's and can be costly if they go wrong. Typically you'll pay extra to buy a diesel model so you need to weigh up whether your mileage will offset the extra cost in fuel savings, for alot of people it often doesnt. Some may prefer the responsiveness of a petrol, others may like the low down grunt and pull of a diesel. I dont know what your budget is but i'd steer clear of Megane's personally, fantastic safety ratings but ropey everywhere else. I had a Peugeot 406 which took on many miles in many feet of snow and won without a problem but as a standard rule a front wheel drive car is a better option than RWD, but obviously 4WD is best.

If you let us know what your budget is im sure you'll get some suggestions.