Expert answer

Hi Susan,

For your budget, you could consider an Audi A3 1.9 TDI five-door. Classy, good to drive and very economical. Perhaps not the most spacious car in the world in the back and boot, but it will take a buggy.

Or, how about a car based on the same mechanical package as the A3, but with the boot space to be able to handle a whole creche's worth of kiddy clobber? I speak of course of the Skoda Octavia. A brilliant car, with tonnes of space, and your budget would get you a 2008 model with the 1.9 TDI diesel engine in range-topping 'Elegance' trim. So, comfy then.

Skoda not your thing? Want something classier? I have just the thing... How about a 2008 Volvo V50 estate with the 1.6-litre diesel engine? An easy 50mpg, family practicality thanks to the estate body and your mind will be forever at ease on the safety front.

What do you think?

Expert answer

Hi Marcus,

No, but we can work out a rough figure for you. The 2006 320d had a quoted combined figure of 5.7 litres per 100km (about 50mpg). Now, we know that official fuel consumption figures are basically rubbish so let’s be on the pessimistic side – the urban consumption figure was 7.8 litres/100km so let’s split the difference and say 6.8 litres/100km as the halfway point. On your 80km per day, therefore, you’re going to nominally get through about 5.4 litres of fuel per day. That works out at 37.8 litres per week, which at the current average price per litre of diesel comes to €42.90 per week.

Now, that’s an estimated figure, and everything from the traffic levels, to the type of road you use to your own driving style to how much weight you’re carrying in the car to the condition of your engine and your tyres to whether you use the air conditioning or not and so many more variables will have an effect on that figure, so consider it ballpark only.

Expert answer

Hi William,

Both of those are really good options, but with that budget there are some others worth considering. Given your low mileage, you might want to take a look at (shock, horror) some petrol alternatives. Both the Honda CR-V and Kia Sportage are plentiful on the second-hand ground with petrol engines and they're well worth considering.

From personal family experience, I can tell you that a CR-V with the 2.0-litre VTEC petrol engine gets a sold 38mpg in daily use and has been close to faultlessly reliable. Or, if you need an occasional seven-seater, the second-generation Hyundai Santa Fe falls within your budget and is a cracking car, well worth a look.

What do you think?

Expert answer

Hi Evelyn,

I'd suggest choosing between a Skoda Yeti or Nissan Qashqai if your budget allows - both have high h-points, or the point at which the base of the seat lies, without being so tall that you have to climb up into them. Test drive both to see which one you find the more comfortable, and it's also worth considering the Kia Sportage and Hyundai ix35 if you can find either within budget.

Let us know how you get on

Expert answer

Hi Dan,

Of all the ones you've mentioned there, I'd actually have a long, hard look at the Volkswagen Jetta. True, it's not the most exciting car of all, but with the 1.6 TDI diesel engine coupled to the DSG automatic gearbox, you should be able to squeeze terrific fuel economy out of it: 55mpg should be easily do-able, perhaps even the sunny side of 60mpg. It's sweeter to drive than you'd think too, really comfy and built like a tank.

What do you think?

Expert answer

Hi Grainne,

Yeah, at that price level I'd avoid a Scenic. They older they get the worse their reliability becomes. How about a Toyota Corolla Verso instead? It's within your price range, has the space and is ultra reliable. The only thing is you'll probably have to break your 1.5-litre boundary and go for a 1.6.

What do you think?

Expert answer

FULL DISCLOSURE: Cian is known to us at CompleteCar.ie through the medium of Twitter. Friend of the show, you might say...

Hi Cian,

Given that we know you I'm half-tempted to steer you into some hilariously disastrous classic car cul-de-sac, then sit back and watch the carnage unfold. However, I know you've already been there and done that so I won't.

Instead, I'm going to go out on a major limb, put my journalistic reputation to the test and recommend an Alfa Romeo. Yup, an Alfa. Your budget should get you into a 2007 or 2008 159 1.8-litre petrol MPI version. The 159 was always a ruggedly built car and while it's still occasionally prone to the classic Alfa electrical glitches, it's also probably the most all-round reliable car ever to come out of Milan.

It's also utterly gorgeous. reasonably spacious and really very good to drive. True, the 1.9 diesel would be more economical but it doesn't sound as good as the petrol. Enjoy, and let us know if anything goes explosively pop!

Expert answer

Hi Joe,

Both excellent choices although it's worth pointing out that the petrol-powered Honda will struggle more to hold on to any value as the market is so diesel-obsessed at the moment. Still, that means prices are cheaper for you at buying time...

As with all Hondas, the CR-V is remarkably reliable, although this model has suffered from some issues. There have been some problems with trim scratching and scuffing too easily, as well as problems with the alternators. Some have had issues with the gearbox too and high front tyre wear. You should also check carefully underneath to make sure that any previous owner hasn't been taking the 4x4 bit too seriously.

That goes equally for the Hyundai and the good news here too is that reliability is excellent. The only regularly reported problems with the Santa Fe are that the air conditioning system can need regular re-gassing and that the stereo is pretty rubbish.

Both will be expensive to run though. The CR-V has CO₂ emissions of 194g/km so motor tax is going to be pricey. Despite being diesel, the Hyundai is no better, with CO₂ emissions of 191g/km. Both will average around 35mpg in regular driving.

I have to admit to a small bias - my father-in-law has owned his 2.0-litre petrol CR-V from new in 2007 and loves it. It's been massively reliable (only ever needing a replacement alternator) and he regularly gets better than 40mpg from it. That said, the Hyundai is also an excellent vehicle and I would say both are safe bets - try some test drives and see which one you prefer and let us know which way you go.

Expert answer

Hi Richard,

Just be careful when buying any premium badge car for a low price like that. The BMW 3 Series is a well made, reliable car but you need to buy one with a full service history, one that has been looked after. If you don't, you can be getting yourself into a world of expensive trouble. 

A 320i will be quite affordable to run in terms of fuel consumption, but it will be more expensive to service and buy any spare parts for than a mass-market brand. If, as you say, you've never had a car before, you may be better off starting with something cheaper and easier to run. Can I suggest a Golf? Just as classy as the Beemer, but more affordable by far.

Expert answer

Hi Aparesh,

You know what? I wouldn't. Renaults from that era are not the most reliable things and your budget could be as easily eaten up fixing a catalogue of minor problems. Your budget though should be able to get you into a Toyota Corolla Verso - one of the most reliable cars around and a firm favourite in CompleteCar Towers when it comes to affordable, reliable family transport.