choosing used car

I am looking for a reliable, spacious secondhand SUV that won't cost me the earth to run. I have a budget of €9,000 - €10,000. Will be used privately most of the time (12,000 miles per year, two kids and a dog), but need it for off road on a farm/laneways for cutting down trees and towing a trailer full of firewood every couple of weeks.

I am undecided between a 2008 Honda CR-V 2.2d AWD or a 2008 Nissan X-Trail 2.0d 4wd. I like the space in the X-trail but would the Honda give me less trouble? Also I see that the X-Trail comes in 150 and 175hp guises. What would best suit my needs and would there be much of a difference in running cost/fuel economy?

Any advice would be grateful!

Hi,

Two weeks ago I was down to three choices for looking at a secondhand 2011-2013 saloon car: Honda Accord i-DTEC 2.2-litre diesel (150hp), Volkswagen Passat TDI 2.0-litre diesel (140hp) or Ford Mondeo TDCi 2.0-litre diesel (163hp). But on Saturday I test drove a very nice 2012 Vauxhall Insignia 2.0-litre diesel (160hp), which was very nice to drive.

Just wondering how would this compare to the three above in terms of reliability, handling and resale value. Which would you choose between these four?

Best regards

Barry

Hi, I'm thinking about buying a 2009 Kia Sportage 2.0 petrol EX manual 4x4. I saw your review of the 1.7-litre front-wheel drive Sportage. How good is the older 4x4 2.0-litre version? It's done 100,000km and just had the timing belt replaced so it looks like a good buy?

Thanks,

Nick

Hi, I am looking to upgrade (i.e. trade-in) my 2005 Honda Accord V-TEC Sports. My budget limit is €19,000 (as I reckon I will only get between €2,000-€2,500 for my Accord as it has 189,000km on clock even though it is still running fabulous without ever giving trouble - I've had it six years) ) as my max borrowing figure is €16,500 (which you call 'cost to change.).

I am considering the following: Honda Accord 2.2 i-DTEC, Volkswagen Passat 2.0-litre diesel, Audi A4 2.0-litre diesel (though isn't that the same car as the Passat, with just a different badge?) or Ford Mondeo 2.0-litre diesel. Someone also recommended a Lexus, but probably outside my budget! I've had three Civics before my current Accord and they have proved both exciting to drive and very reliable. But am open to a change from Honda. I've heard from my mechanic that he wouldn't recommend secondhand Audis, Volkswagens or BMWs as they are not mechanically as reliable as Hondas or Toyotas.

Any thoughts?

Best regards

Barry

Ford Focus 1.4 petrol: how good?

With a budget of around €3,000, I'm looking to buy a Citroen C4 hatchback or a Ford Focus hatchback around 2006-07 1.6 diesel. Would you recommend one over the other? I heard that the Focus can be troublesome but I can't find a bad review on the C4. I've been told I should go for a better make car 2005 with that budget but how can you tell which ultimately is a better buy? Will there be more problems with an 05 than an 07?

Is 122k miles a bit high to justify spending €2,995 on a Citroen C4 Grand Picasso, which has to last us three years?

Hi, please suggest a good reliable, economical car as I have to do daily commute of one hour for my job. My budget is €3,500, fuel type, diesel, engine size 1.2- to 1.6 litres, transmission, manual. And should I buy a used car from a dealer or private owner?

Thanks

What SUV is the best buy petrol or diesel for €5,000, just for running around my small holding?

2006 Land Rover Freelander five-door with 67,000 miles on the clock: looking at to buy. It's well kept, drives fine and is very clean all round. What are they like?

Steve Mahony, Cork