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Hi Anthony,

Oh heck yes! The RX-8 has always been one of our favourite cars and it mixes high-revving rotary rear-drive fun with almost-practical four-seat space. There are actually very few, indeed hardly any, reported mechanical issues, and that's in spite of the poor reputation that rotary engines have in that regard. It will burn through a lot of oil though - they genuinely all do that, sir - so keep an eye on the dipstick and don't skimp on the good quality lubricants. There were also a few recalls, for leaking fuel pipes, cracked steering joints and cracked damper heat covers. Avoid anything that's been tweaked, tuned or messed around with and watch the handling in the wet - they can be staggeringly tail-happy.

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Hi Darrell,

Generally speaking SsangYongs are very reliable (it's the upside of them being somewhat old-fashioned and mechanically simple), but the price you pay for that is them being really rather crude to drive and live with. Noise levels from the engine will be very high indeed, cabin quality will resemble that of a Toyota from the 1980s and the handling will be little short of terrible.

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Hi Mark,

The more recent versions of the Renault Grand Scenic are at least reasonably reliable, and the commonly-seen 1.5-litre diesel engine is a sold enough old lump, and well proven in various Nissans and Renaults. The recurring nightmare is that of electrical problems. Renaults, older ones at any rate, just seem to eat through their cabling and wiring and everything from electric windows to engine management and injection problems can crop up. Buy very, very carefully if you're looking at  anything older than 2008.

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Hi Ann,

I'm afraid the CT 200h's residual values aren't that great. The general buying public is still a bit suspicious of hybrids (the popularity of the Prius notwithstanding) and the CT's poor day-to-day fuel consumption marks it down relative to the likes of the rival BMW 1 Series and Audi A3. 

It's also quite cramped inside, with tiny rear seats and an almost useless boot. If you're looking for a classy small hatch, better stick with the Audi A3 or save yourself even more and get a nicely specified Volkswagen Golf.

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Hi Des,

If you mean the new model, which was introduced in the summer of 2013, then it's generally excellent. Gorgeous to look at (well, we think so anyway) with a fantastic interior, lots of space and excellent economy from the familiar 1.6-litre diesel engine. Citroen's build quality has greatly improved over the past few years, so you shouldn't have any major reliability worries and it's an immensely comfortable car in which to do long journeys. Here's our Irish road test of the five-seat model.

If you're talking about the previous generation then there are a couple of points to keep an eye on. The 1.6 diesel has a habit of developing problems, usually with the turbo's exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve. It's a relatively easy fix but it can be pricey so shop around for quotes. Buy as recent a car as you can, as Citroen was constantly improving the build quality as the car developed. Avoid the automatic EGS gearbox - it's awful to drive with and can develop problems with the clutch. Check the cabin very carefully for loose or rattling trim and inspect the bumpers, especially the enormous one-piece front bumper, for any damage - they can be hugely expensive to repair.

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Hi Mary,

Short answer, no. The CR-V is one of the most roomy and spacious SUVs around. In fact it makes you wonder quite if other car makers realise that the U in SUV stands for Utility...

The X3 is a typical BMW product - handsome, slick and terrific to drive, but there have been reports of troubles with the turbocharger on the older 2.0 diesel engines and the interior is surprisingly tight, especially if you're carrying kids - it's all but impossible to get three child seats across the back row. 

Why not check out the new CR-V instead? It's a really solid product, just as spacious as ever. Or, if you want a change of brand, have a good long look at the Hyundai Santa Fe - cracking car, that.

What do you think?

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Hi Rob,

Hmmm. The bikes bit makes this awkward - assuming you mean adult bikes, not kids'. You could try a Skoda Fabia Combi, but to be honest, I'm not sure that two bikes would fit easily in the back, even with the seats folded. Your best bet could be a decent diesel hatchback and a really good bike rack for the boot.

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Hi Rao,

At a rough guess that should give you a budget of between €10,000 and €12,000, which is healthy enough. If you've been a Toyota owner in the past I'm assuming you want to stick with something that'll be reliable so my first suggestion is an Auris hatchback. They're spacious inside, so pass the two kids test with ease and the 1.33-litre petrol version should be economical enough for your commuting style. 

Also consider a Honda Civic. If anything, Hondas tend to be even better built than Toyotas and while the Civic's avant-garde styling may be a bit of an acquired taste, its spacious and practical cabin is a boon for family life. A 2.2-litre diesel may sound like overkill but it's a terrific engine and has low emissions and therefore is cheap to tax. 

Finally, if you want something with a bit more space, how about a Kia cee'd SW estate? Reliably solid, and with that seven-year warranty, pleasant to drive and the estate version has a massive boot.

Let us know how you get on

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Hi Lee,

You've got to keep the engine size down, basically, if you want cheap insurance, but we would also suggest getting something that's good to drive, simply because exposure to good vehicle dynamics early on makes better drivers of us all. So, probably the best balance is to go for a Ford Fiesta 1.25. There are loads of them around and they're cheap to run, decently reliable and very safe. It would also be worth tracking down a Suzuki Swift 1.3, as they're fab to drive and close to indestructible.

However, if even those engine sizes are running the insurance bill up too high, then you need to think  smaller and go down to a 1.0-litre engine. In that case, I'd suggest either a Toyota Aygo (or a mechanically identical Citroen C1 or Peugeot 107) or, if the budget will stretch, a Volkswagen up!, Skoda Citigo or SEAT Mii.

What do you think?

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Hi Brian,

That's a little bit tricky at the moment as there isn't currently a 'Match' spec Golf in Volkswagen's range. The current Mark VII Highline Golf though is the ritziest Golf you can buy short of getting a GTI or GTD. Over and above a standard Golf, you get things like 16-inch alloy wheels, a leather-wrapped, multi-function steering wheel, front fog lights that include a cornering function, auto headlights and wipers, sports seats and nice trim on the seats and dash.

When the last Mark VI Golf Match was around, it included (for a relatively small extra outlay over a standard car) such items as automatic lights and wipers, cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, USB and iPod connectors, a digital radio, a trip computer and alloy wheels. The current Golf probably won't get a Match version for a year or two yet but keep an eye out for when one arrives as it will probably be quite a good bargain.