choosing used car

My partner and I have arrived back in Ireland. She will be based here for at least the next 12 months and needs a car that can carry four people in comfort over most of the island fairly regularly. It must also be something of a load-carrier as she will need to move items of bulk rather than weight fairly regularly. A local dealer in Kilkenny has an '07 Fiat Croma 1.8-litre manual at a good price and just 25,000km. It's big enough, safe enough and powerful enough, but we know nothing about this model.

Is it a good buy?

I want a good first car.  I am a female student. Can you help? My budget is between €1,000 - €2,000

Hi,

In relation to a family car, I see you have high praise for the Qashqai+2. How would a 2009 Toyota Verso compare in terms of space, safety, price, etc? Many thanks and good luck with the site.

Hi,

I have a budget of €4,000 and I am looking for a car that will fit the golf clubs and a trolley. I'd like something sporty and was thinking of a BMW but that may cost too much with road tax etc. It will be my first car. 

I am looking closely at buying a 2008 Mazda6, but I am not sure whether to go for diesel or petrol. The petrol is 1.8 and I am wondering how thirsty it would be. I do approx 12,000 miles per year on mainly good roads. Was looking at putting about €10,000 with my own car. I have a 2006 Opel Vectra with 38,000 miles on it. It is a 1.6-litre petrol.

Was also looking at a 2007 Volkswagen Passat 1.9 TDI, but heard a lot of mixed reports. Looking for something comfortable and reliable mainly.

I fancy a change from my Ford Mondeo, which I love. What do you reckon in a 2.0-lltre diesel: Merc, BMW, VW Touareg or Jaguar X-Type?

We need to get a seven-seater when our fourth child arrives soon, so we're looking at a SEAT Alhambra, VW Sharan or Ford Galaxy.

We have a 2003 Focus Ghia saloon plus a budget of around €10,000 to add to it. Do you have any other similarly-sized car suggestions that we've missed and is it a concern if a second-hand car that is five or six years old has three or more owners if the mileage is less than 60,000?

Hi, I am hoping to trade up to a family car that will suit two toddlers and has a good sized boot. I am on the road a lot so need car that is very economical and safe and will last me a good while. Thinking of a 2007 or 2008 at a good price.

What do you recommend?

I have a 2006 Nissan Primera SVE with 80,000 kilometres on the clock and I am looking to upgrade to a Nissan Qashqai 2008/2009 1.5-litre diesel.  What price am I looking at?

I have a 2003 Nissan Micra. The 'bubble' shape means that the inside of the windscreen gets very misty in wet weather. I'd like to get a similar five-door hatchback, but without the condensation problem.

What would you suggest?

Thanks.