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Hi Martin,

OK, cards on the table - I'm a bit of a MINI fan. In fact, I actually own one - a Clubman Cooper D. Which possibly makes me more susceptible to the charms of a Countryman than would otherwise be the case. Which also possibly explains why, when many of my colleagues deride it for being too big, too fat and too ugly to be a proper MINI, I argue in its defence. I point out that, just as Porsche with the Cayenne or Maserati with the Quattroporte, there's no point in trying to limit a brand to one car or one type of car - all brands have to expand to draw in as many customers as they can. Then there's the fact that, while it's VERY colour and spec sensitive when it comes to looks, I think that in the right rig-out, a Countryman is actually quite a desirable looking car.

Apart from all of that, it's a big, spacious family hold-all that manages to retain just enough of the small MINI handling and steering characteristics to justify it wearing the same badge. While a similarly priced Skoda Yeti makes for a much more sensible purchase, I've got a soft spot for the MINI. Other opinions are available. They're wrong, but they're available.

Expert answer

Hi Simon,

OK, for that kind of budget you have a wealth of options, new and used. How about a new MINI Cooper S 2.0-litre? Massive fun to drive, affordable to run (it'll do 50mpg and costs just €290 a year to tax) and they're really well built. Better yet, a brand new one starts at €27k so you have plenty left over for insurance, extras and servicing.

Not practical enough? How about the best hot hatch around at the moment then? The Volkswagen Golf GTI? Your budget just about gets a new one, but it'll be pretty basic. Better to go for nearly-new; get one with a bit of spec and make sure it has the optional Performance Pack fitted - it turns a brilliant car into a gob-smacking one.

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Hi David,

OK, a couple of points to deal with there. I can well remember my first drive in the Dacia Duster, which was a left-hand drive 4x4 model and I happened to drive it from Galway to Waterford and back on some of the wettest days of 2012. I can honestly not remember feeling that the wipers were inadequate to the task, and I'm generally pretty sensitive to things like that, so I'd say you might be crossing the car off your list somewhat unfairly. I can certainly remember thinking that the Duster felt unusually well-planted on the road and sure-footed in what were truly appalling conditions.

Incidentally, it's worth noting that we also take almost all of our test cars on week-long tests, and occasionally even longer ones. The full CompleteCar.ie team also endeavours to drive each car personally so that we can put together a fully rounded opinion on every model, and we always try to drive them in as many different conditions as the prevailing weather will allow.

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Hi Brian,

There are some dealers that claim to be specialists in convertibles, such as Alan Dorgan Motors, but to be honest it can be a hugely complex job and may well be something that’s best left to a fully accredited main dealer.

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Hi Michael,

This question arrives at a timely moment as I've just stepped out of a brand new Polo 1.4 TSI test car. I'd have to say that it's a long, long, loooooong way ahead of a 2000 model year Polo, fine car though that was at the time. I had always felt that the Polo was a little bit of the also-ran of the Volkswagen range, but I think that this latest round of updates, especially on the inside, finally make it feel like the mini-Golf it always should have been.

It's nice to drive, comfy and that 1.4 turbo petrol engine is a gem, giving almost-diesel-like economy but proving revvy and willing when you want to get going. A far cry from the too-sluggish 1.2 petrol Polos of old. So, yes, upgrade - my take is that it's well worth it.

Here's our first drive of the new Volkswagen Polo for reference

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Hi Paudie,

OK, you need to sit down with your PCP provider and find out exactly where you stand. PCPs are not all the same - some allow you to use the equity built up over and above the minimum agreed used value (assuming there is any) to act as your deposit for the next car, others require you to save for the next deposit while paying the repayments on the existing car. You need to find out exactly what your plan allows you to do. 

It would also be well worth your while shopping around a bit. If the dealer you bought the car from isn't willing to give you a decent exit from the PCP to move you to a van, try somewhere else. Plenty of van makers have plenty of special offers and deals going and you may well be able to get yourself into a better situation elsewhere. Ring around, walk around and ask around would be my advice.

Please do let us know how you get on

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Hi Sean,

Go for the 1.6. It's more economical, has lower emissions and is more common than the 1.8, so parts and bits are easier to come by if anything goes wrong. Now, watch the turbo like a hawk, the exhaust gas recirculation valve can give trouble and make sure you insist on proper, high-quality synthetic oil whenever it's serviced. The older 1.8 is actually a bit of a cracking engine, and an in-house Ford designed unit, not shared with other brands as the 1.6 is (Peugeot, Citroen, Volvo and MINI have all shared the same engine). It's a good unit, but the easier running costs of the 1.6 just make it the better choice.

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Hi Bruno,

Hands up, we cannot find ground clearance data for the first gen Mercedes-Benz B-Class, but it's a lower-slung car in general than either of the other two, and with that sandwich floor construction, we'd guess it would be quite low riding. Mind you, it's worth pointing out that ride height is not the be all and end all when it comes to tackling rough roads - suspension design, layout and stiffness have a major, potentially larger part to play.

Nonetheless, of the other two, it's the Nissan that has the slightly higher ride height, 188mm plays the MINI Countryman's 163mm. Given that we've nothing but praise for the new Qashqai's brilliant twin-chamber shock absorbers and silky-smooth suspension, we'd say it's probably the best bet for what you need.

Let us know how you get on

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Hi Martin,

I'd say you're looking at a trade-in value of between €5-6,000.

Expert answer

Hi Karen,

It depends. If you are buying the car after she says she has paid off the finance, then a history check from the likes of Cartell.ie will flag up if there is any outstanding finance to be paid. If you're buying it and she's promising to pay off the finance afterwards, then it's simply down to trust. The safest thing is probably to draw up a written document signed by the both of you (preferably with a witness signing as well) in which she undertakes to pay off the remaining finance on the car. 

If you have any doubts at all then walk away.