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Car Choice: Be wise with your money in these difficult times

Sanjeev Subramaniam has a very quick question on behalf of a close friend. His mate has an MG ZR160, but the running costs have become unsustainable because it regularly goes wrong. It doesn't help that Sanjeev's friend has recently been made redundant. With a £1,200 budget to play with – until re-employment comes to the rescue – just how should Sanjeev's friend spend that money wisely?

Inside Comment

Car Choice: A perfect tin box for Doctor Dick the biker

Sunday, 6 February 2011

Doctor Dick Penfold, 60, is a lifelong biker, and although he would rather buy another bike, he accepts that he does need what he describes as a tin box on four wheels. Unhappy with his current Fiat Sedici, he needs a four-wheel drive replacement. It must be higher quality, have a lot more room in the back, and be able to handle Dick's regular 1,250-mile journey to Italy. His budget is a decent £17,000.

Car Choice: A guided tour around the larger estates

Sunday, 23 January 2011

Andrew Thornton is 47 and has owned a 1998 Skoda Octavia TDi for five years, and it now has more than 200,000 miles on the clock. It's been very reliable, economical and comfortable. He wants to replace it with a larger, more stylish estate and has a budget of around £3,500. He is comparing an Audi A6 and Saab 9-5 and wonders which is best. Andrew wants to avoid mainstream models.

Car Choice: Jane can make a Splash in the Peak District

Sunday, 16 January 2011

Jane Keller, 64, is returning to the UK to live in the Peak District. She wants an utterly reliable and compact five-door. The engine must be small, economical, and ecological. The car also needs plenty of head and leg room, front and back. Her budget is between �9,000 and �12,000 – cash, no part exchange. Jane is prepared to buy new, and is considering a Hyundai i20.

Car Choice: A stylish 4x4 that's fun rather than 'in your face'

Sunday, 9 January 2011

Martin Simon is 64, lives in the hills behind Stroud, in Gloucestershire, and needs a small four-wheel-drive diesel that is fun, sturdy, and comfortable enough for occasional long journeys. Martin also likes gadgets. The budget is £15,000 to £20,000. He does not mind second-hand if it buys extra quality.

Car Choice: It all depends on the size of your caravan...

Sunday, 2 January 2011

David Midwinter is 37 years old, and gets straight to the point. He is looking for a diesel car with a big enough engine to pull a caravan, but it must also have a big boot, low road tax, and reasonably low insurance. His family consists of two adults and a three-year-old child. Although there is no budget mentioned, we will go for value.

Car Choice: Second-hand doesn’t have to mean old and manky

Sunday, 26 December 2010

Mishah Ali is 21 and looking for her first car. It needs to be automatic, have five doors, and have a decent sized boot. Reliability and low running costs are a priority. Mishah is planning lots of long journeys and does not want a “manky old car” – as if we would ever recommend one of those! With a maximum budget of �6,000, we should be able to sort something out.

Car Choice: Welcome to Britain, home of Mondeo Man

Sunday, 19 December 2010

Stuart Allison, from the United States, wants a reliable, fairly inexpensive car for about a year while he is working in the UK. In the US he runs Subarus, and over here he will have his wife and two daughters with him. Reliability, safety, and the ability to make weekend trips to places like the Lake District or Cornwall are all important. Stuart has up to £2,000 to spend and wants to know what things to watch for when buying a car in the UK.

Car Choice: An uncomplicated solution to a simple problem

Sunday, 12 December 2010

Ann Mills is 73 and has very simple requirements. All she wants is a small car, with five doors, which absolutely must have power steering. Apparently, electric windows would be nice, too. Mrs Mills says she only travels 5,000 to 6,000 miles a year for social and domestic reasons and has up to £2,500 to spend.

Car Choice: It’s time to swap your fading Fiesta for a fab Fabia

Sunday, 5 December 2010

Jan Dennis has an R reg Fiesta 1.2, with 98,886 miles on the clock, and wants to change the car via her main Ford dealer. She needs a three-door hatchback that is reliable and can cope with local trips, plus the occasional motorway journey. She averages 10,000 miles a year, and her budget is �5,000.

Car Choice: When replacement knees mean a replacement car

Sunday, 28 November 2010

Molly Storck is 78 and lives in London. Most of her driving is in town, although she does have a major annual trip to France and back of about 1,000 miles.

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