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Hi Guys,

Congratulations with the site and wishing you great success! Currently in deliberations with my husband on choosing a new 4x4 as our primary family car. Our BMW X3 is too small for our growing family. What is the advice you can offer on the following models: GMC Tahoe or Nissan Patrol 2010? Please take into consideration that we live in Dubai when answering. Thanking you in advance!

Marie and Constantine Economou

I have just bought a 1998 1.4 Citroen Xsara and it has no handbook with it. I am wondering what the tyre pressure should be for the car? Also, would you know if it would be possible to get a handbook for the car from somewhere?

I've got a 01 Audi A4 1.6 Petrol (newer shape) and spent €620 on four firestone 235 x 45 R17 tyres. However, after only 13,000 miles there is very little life left on them, another 2-3k miles at most. I've really looked after them, had them rotated after about 7k and haven't been spinning wheels or any of that boy racer stuff. One of them (back left at present) is worse than the others alright and is pretty much at the end of its life already. The wear is even through all of the tyres.

Question 1: Is this about the normal for this size wheel? It seems terrible to me.

Question 2: I've heard that some of these big name brands aren't really worth the money; can you recommend a more reasonably priced tyre for what looks like an almost annual expense I'm going to have to budget for?

Thanks 

I'm going to scrap my car through the scheme and I wanted to know what is the fastest car that is available under the scheme? Are most of the eligible cars really boring or are there any interesting ones?

We have a little toddler and recently welcomed twins into our lives and while three children isn't a big family we now find that we need a seven-seater because of the baby seats. I hate the idea of a people carrier but I do need something with enough space for the little ones and all the luggage that comes with them. Is there any seven-seat car that's practical but not boring?

I know finance is hard to come by these days but I'd really like to buy a new car. Where should I go first to get finance because I don't want to be turned down by loads of banks?

I have a 2002 BMW 3 Series worth about €4,500. I bought it a few months ago but things are already starting to go wrong with it. Should I take it to a BMW dealership for service and repair, which could cost a fortune or should I go to the cheapest mechanic I can find to get it looked at? I don't want the work costing more than the car is worth but at the same time I'd like to have a good service history for the car and repairs well done rather than a sticking plaster effort. What would you advise?

I'm thinking of buying my first car but I don't know much about cars so I don't really know what I should be shopping for. I'm a 20-year-old student and I have about €1,000 to spend. I'm a learner driver so I'd like something small, easy to drive and cheap to run. I found a nice second hand Ford Ka and wondered whether this would be suitable for me?

I have a ten-year old car and I am thinking of taking advantage of the scrappage scheme. I travel quite far, to and from work, so would require an economical car that packs a bit of punch. I have been looking at the Mazda2, Opel Corsa and Ford Fiesta, which would all be around my price range. Please could you recommend which of these might be the best car for my needs?

Many thanks

AM