choosing used car

We need a small family run around. We have between €5,000 and €10,000 to spend. My eldest daughter will be turning 17 soon and will be learning to drive, so this will be a factor as well. It will be 90% city driving.

Hi, I am looking at a second-hand Honda FR-V (2009/2010). Is there anything in particular to watch out for? Are you familiar with the particular hand-brake lever in this car? I found it difficult to engage on my test drive and was wondering if that was just me.

Thanks, Eddie

2007 Hyundai Tuscon automatic diesel 1.9 - pros and cons?

2009 Skoda Octavia 2.0 TDI RS or 2010 BMW 320d ? I'm looking for a sporty secondhand hatch/saloon with low tax and good economy. Should I go for the cheaper Octavia or the BMW 3 Series?

Thanks

What is the Nissan Tiida like? Any known problems with them?

Tell me all the pros and cons of a Citroen C4, please

Can you recommend a good family car? I have a newborn on the way and am looking to buy a family car in the next 2-3 weeks. I have a budget of roughly €10,500. I'm six-foot-four in height so space is very important. My wife and I also have family down the country so would be making regular trips now and then outside Dublin. In a nutshell, I'm looking for something reliable, pratical, economical and fun to drive. I've been homing in on a Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi Zetec.

Any advice or other recommendations would be much appreciated.

I'm interested in a 2010 Audi A4 TDI 136. Are there any known issues I should look out for? As a cash buyer how much should I expect to pay for a car with around 40,000 miles on the clock?

I'm interested in the 2011 Kia pro_cee'd new shape. What's the economy and emissions like in the 1.6 petrol model and what are they worth?

I currently drive a 2008 Toyota Yaris Luna, 1.0, five-door, petrol. I've had the car since 2008 but didn't buy it new; I'm the second owner. It has never given me a minutes trouble, I've had it serviced most years at a main dealer, no major issues have ever come up - just new brake pads and other small things that you'd expect when you've been driving the car for years. I bought the car with a loan from the credit union, which I've paid back so there's nothing owed on it.

All that being said I'm really bored of it! I've wanted a MINI since I was in my teens and I would absolutely love one! I can probably only afford to spend an extra €1k max on top of trading in my Yaris. Do you have an idea roughly what the trade-in value for the Yaris would be? Seeing as I'd have to buy an older MINI would I be opening myself up to a bigger chance of expensive things going wrong with the car? All I've ever had to spend on the Yaris is service costs and new tyres so am wary of changing for that reason.