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Hi Roisin,

When you say large boot, exactly how large do you mean? Ford C-Max is an excellent choice, and if you're looking in the MPV market then there's always the solidly reliable Toyota Verso too, or the Mazda5. For slightly less money, and indeed for slightly lower running costs, you could be into a compact estate though, a class of car that gets unfairly ignored these days. The Focus Estate is excellent and has a massive boot, but the absolute best choice is a Skoda Octavia Combi. It has a simply massive boot, lots of space in the back seats for the kids and, if you get one with the 1.6 or 1.9 TDI engine, you've got an excellent long-haul, economical family car. Reliable too.

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Hi Paul,

The Toyota Previa, which is close to indestructible, but good luck finding one. Failing that, go for a (smaller) Toyota Verso, or a Volkswagen Touran, or a Kia Carens. 

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Hi Paul,

Easy: Toyota Verso. Or, if you're looking for something bigger, the SEAT Alhambra. A Honda FR-V would also be spectacularly long-lived, but it's now becoming hard to find a good one.

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Hi Ian,

Right, the bad news is that the Yaris isn't going to be worth all that much at this stage. I'd say if you get €1,000 for it, either cash or as a trade in, you'll be doing well. The good news is that gives you a €4,000 budget and that puts an awful lot of really good cars well within your reach.

Now, funny story. When we had our first boy, he was born in February. That Christmas, I borrowed a Land Rover Discovery to bring us all down to my wife's parents in Waterford. And thanks to all the luggage, buggy, travel cot, bath etc. etc. etc. I couldn't see out of the back of the damned car for a whole week. That's a long winded way of saying you need to maximise your space.

So how about a Citroen Berlingo? €4,000 should get you into a 2005 1.4 petrol model and there's so much space in the back that all that baby gear will fit easily. Don't fancy a van with windows? Then how about a compact estate? There are some nice Chevrolet Lacettis around - not the most exciting car in the world but reliable, comfy, well-equipped and spacious. Your budget should get you into a 2006 or 2007 model. Or, if that's a bit too left field, what about a MkII Ford Focus estate? We found a 2005 1.6 diesel with air conditioning that's in your budget.

Best of luck with the car hunt and the baby!

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Hi Samanta,

Well, you haven't specified what kind of car you need so I'm taking a bit of a stab in the dark here. If you were looking for a sports car, luxury saloon or a pickup; sorry...

But given as a good hatchback generally fits most needs, I'm going to be predictable and say go for a Toyota Auris. Not the most exiting car, perhaps, but reliable, long-lived and light on running costs.

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Hi Samanta,

As far as we can find out, the only issue with that generation Corolla is that the paint can be a bit on the thin side and prone to stone chips. That's literally it. As long as you find a good one, with history, you should have no problems. 

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Hi Mary,

Both equally reliable but the Auris is by far the safer car. On the independent EuroNCAP crash test, it scored a full five-star rating while the Urban Cruiser managed just three. As an aside, the Auris is also a lot more sophisticated and comfortable to drive.

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Hi Sam,

Split result here. The Golf is a terrific car, handsome, spacious and fun to drive and of course very desirable too. But with the basic 1.4 petrol engine it's going to be slow. 

The Corolla by contrast has a surprisingly peppy, rev-happy 1.4 engine that's a joy to drive. A shame that the chassis, styling and cabin are all on the dull side but the upshot is of course near faultless reliability. 

So, Golf for desirability, Corolla for longevity.

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Hi David,

If the 2005 one has been better looked after, then go for that one. Condition is always far more important than age or mileage, and given that there’s no mechanical difference between the two cars, you won’t benefit from the newer model if it’s been less well cared for.

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Hi Michael,

If depreciation is your primary concern, then it’s best to go for a Toyota, which in general has the best reputation for retained value in the Irish market. An Auris is the same size as a Golf, and while it’s not as interesting to look at, it’s not at all bad to drive, and hugely reliable too.