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Hi Ann,

Yeah, you might just scrape into a 2012 model in either car but to be fair, though rolling back to a 2011 or even a 2010 (assuming that condition and history are OK) isn't really going to be any hardship. As for the C4 Picasso, well it's a very, very different type of car altogether - a big, spacious family MPV rather than a low-slung sports saloon. They're nice and comfy, but won't be as well built as either of the German cars.

If it were our choice to make, we'd go with the Audi - comfy, decent to drive and reliable.

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Hi Ger,

To be honest, I would just avoid that generation of Rio at all costs. They're not especially reliable (engines, suspension and ventilation systems all give trouble) and the 1.3-litre petrol engine is quite underpowered, meaning you have to thrash it hard to keep up with the flow of traffic, which wrecks the fuel economy. On top of which the cabin is small, narrow and made of some staggeringly cheap and nasty plastic and they're basically awful to drive.

That generation of Rio was really the last of the truly bad Kias, before the company started to make some really good cars. Go, if you can, for a second generation Rio, made from 2006 onwards in both hatchback and saloon form. They're much more reliable, quite nice to drive and decently economical.

Hope that helps

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Hi Greg,

Yup, they're a good 'un. Ford's reliability record has been steadily improving over the past few years and there are no major reported issues for that generation of Focus. Just watch that a recall to fix a leaking fuel return pipe has been completed and, of course, make sure the car has a full service history. Oh, and as many of these cars will have begun life as company cars, that can mean that they've been well cared for and serviced regularly, but it can also mean that they've been abused by uncaring owners. Check carefully.

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Hi Alanna,

I reckon the Qashqai +2 might be the best one to go for. The extra seats are pretty small but the boot on the +2 is simply massive when they're folded flat, so that's helpful when you're lugging around two small ones and their various chattels. Don't worry about running costs too much - the Qashqai looks like an SUV but it's really a hatchback with attitude and the 1.5 diesel engine is reliable, economical and has reasonably low emissions too.

That Toyota 1.4 diesel you mentioned would indeed be much less powerful than your Mazda's engine - it's about 20hp down and noticeably so. Volkswagen Jettas are indeed reliable, but I reckon that the Nissan would be slightly more so, so make that your first choice.

Let us know how you get on

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Hi Justin,

Two best choices here would be a Mazda6 2.0 TD from around 2003 or a Ford Mondeo Zetec diesel of similar vintage. As long as they're in decent nick, reliability shouldn't be a problem (the Mazda will do better than the Ford but not perhaps by the margin you might be expecting) and both are safe and spacious.

What do you think?

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Hi Eddie,

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Hi Patrick,

I really like the S80 - a lovely big comfy thing, ideal if you're doing lots of long journeys and that 1.6 diesel engine is super efficient; you could get up to 1,500km from a tank of fuel. 

Reliability shouldn't be a major issue once you make sure that the car has a full service history. Like any executive saloon there's a lot of electronic toys in there and if it's been well cared for, there's less chance of them going wrong. Keep an eye on the service schedule to make sure that the engine has always been topped up with the highest grade of oil and if it feels down on power or sluggish when accelerating, it's most likely the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve.

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Hi Ben,

I'm presuming you mean the 508 saloon? Really good actually. The 2.0 HDi engine is smooth and very economical and the chassis and steering on the car are top-notch. It's a very underrated car, the sort of thing that makes long cross country journeys a breeze.

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Hi Thomas,

Normally we'd recommend Carzone.ie, but selling any second hand car of that age can be tricky. Have you tried something more local? If you have a good local newspaper that's worth a try or even putting a card in your local supermarket. Local solutions are often the best.

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Hi Brendan,

Good choices, all of those, if you're looking for a more affordable 3 Series alternative. The new-shape Mazda3 (the one that's only just been launched) seem to be especially excellent, and with Mazda's reliability you won't be spending too much on repairs or maintenance down the line. The Golf is always a safe bet too, although if you're used to the saloon shape it may be worth having a look at the little-seen Jetta - an underrated gem, that car. Or, alternatively, you could try the Audi A3 Saloon, which I reckon is the best compact sports saloon around at the moment.

See how you get on and let us know which one you go for.