Expert answer

Hi Niall,

Depends. Do you need lots of space in the back seats and boot? If so, go for the Merc, as it's the most practical car in the class by miles. It's also massively comfy and surprisingly spirited to drive. 

But, if space is not such a priority, go for the Jag. It's gorgeous to look at and simply stunning to drive with a sense of precision and feedback that most other cars have given up on. The 2.2d diesel is fine but if you can afford it the 3.0D S is a gem.

Let us know if we can be of further assistance.

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Hi Brian,

Well, when you say 'super car' that would suggest that money is no object so...

Your choice is slightly limited as there aren't yet any full-on mid-engined diesel supercars, but there are three German powerhouses in the shape of the BMW 640d Gran Coupé, the Audi A7 3.0 TDI Bi-Turbo and the Porsche Panamera Diesel. (There's also the new Maserati Quattroporte diesel, but it pales in the power and torque race a bit.)

Of those the BMW is the best - frugal and well under the 225g/km limit but damn near as quick point to point as an M5. 

If budget is an issue, just grab yourself an E60 BMW 535d. Wheelspin in third gear in that one...

Come back to us if you'd like help narrowing it down a little

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Hi George,

Oh dear, where to begin? Warranty Direct describes the 9-5 as one of the most troublesome cars it's ever surveyed. Electrics are the most common problems, so make sure all the buttons work, then check the suspension for signs of wear, tear or incoming failure. Uneven tyre wear is an early sign of problems there.

Approach with caution basically.

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Hi Ian,

If it's space you're looking for, go for the Superb, as it's massive inside. No reported electrical problems, but watch for high front tyre wear, paint peeling away from bumpers and flimsy fuel filler caps. There are some reports knocking around of clutches and flywheels failing, but these seem to be very isolated and not a recurrent problem. The Superb's a great car though - smooth and comfy, very spacious and one of the best cars on the market. Go for the Combi estate for even more boot space and nicer exterior styling (in our opinions!).

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Hi Paddy,

I have a bit of a soft spot for Saabs in general, but would advise some caution here. That generation 9-3 suffered from a chassis that aged very badly relative to the competition and to be blunt, a Ford Mondeo will drive rings around it. There's also not a lot of space in the back seats. 

On the upside, the 1.9 diesel (a Fiat-General Motors unit) is a good 'un - noisy but very economical and, being a Saab, it's both refreshingly different to other cars, superbly comfy and well able to deal with the rigours of an Irish winter.

Hope that's of some help

Expert answer

Hi Peter,

You're really comparing two quite different cars here. The Auris is a larger car than the Jazz, which is really more of a rival to the Ford Fiesta. Which means that the Auris is going to be more comfy and refined over a long distance, but if you're sticking mostly around town, go for the Jazz. There are no reports of the Auris' stop-start system causing any issues, but the Auris has been generating reports of problems with squeaky front brakes, slipping handbrakes and noisy gearboxes.

The Jazz, by contrast has generated no repeating fault reports and Hondas are usually incredibly reliable. Yes, parts can be a bit pricey for them (the Toyota would be cheaper to service and repair), but so few things go wrong that you probably won't need to spend much. Go for the Jazz so - it's sweeter to drive, has a cleverer interior and will probably prove more reliable.

Hope that helps

Expert answer

Hi Victor,

I assume you mean the 'City' button found in Fiat Group cars. This increases the power assistance for the steering at low speeds, lessening the effort requires to turn the steering wheel. It makes parking in town (and city!) particularly easy.

Hope that helps!

Expert answer

Hi Jimmy,

Try a Skoda Octavia 1.2 TSI petrol. It's massive inside and has a huge boot, and it can easily reach 50mpg in daily driving, with around 900km to a tank possible.

Expert answer

Hi Donagh,

All of the cars you've listed there will be both a lot more reliable and much more economical than your 407, but potentially your best bet is to stay within the Peugeot dealer network where you'll most likely get the best deal on your trade-in. The new 308 is looking pretty impressive, comes with a five-year warranty and Peugeot's build quality has come on a long way since the 407...

Let us know which way you go

Expert answer

Hi Peter,

Yes, it's reliable and no, there are no major issues to watch out for. Just bear in mind a couple of things. Automatic cars can be a little harder on brakes than their manual cousins, and they can of course be more thirsty. More significant still, the smaller-engined versions of the Polo 55- and 65hp 1.2 petrols are pretty sluggish at the best of times and with an auto 'box both drawing power and adding weight, you could be looking at really slow-motion driving.