Email Matt with your questions

For further buying advice visit Matthew's site: www.UsedCarExpert.co.uk

Matt,

Having been without a car since I moved to London I’m keen to get back on the road and want to get something sporty so I can get out of the city once in a while and can take the girlfriend on weekends away without lugging everything to a train station! It doesn’t need to be particularly practical (two seats is fine) as I’m not using it for the commute but it does need to have enough space to fit a couple of bags or a small suitcase in the boot.

To be honest I’m a bit of a poseur so a good looking car is a must but I also want to be able to enjoy driving it – my budget would probably stretch to c.£15k although would probably prefer to spend nearer £12k.

Any thoughts?

Paul Joyce, London, UK

Hi Paul,

What about a 1979 Rolls Royce Corniche (that’s the soft-top one) in ‘walnut’ with cream hide interior and just 97,000 miles on the clock?

No? Too posey for you?

OK, well you could have a Nissan 350Z or Volvo C30 R-Design (its sexier than it sounds). These are two of my favourite cars but I don’t like to be too flash.

What you really want is the ultimate hairdresser’s car: The Porsche Boxster. A 2001 Boxster 2.5 litre with about 58,000 miles on the clock will be £11,500. Or you could go for a 2001 2.7 litre version with just 39,000 miles. That will take you nearer the £15,000.

But do check them carefully before buying.

Dear Matt,

I would like some advice on buying a new car. I live in a flood affected area (Worcestershire) and drive to work in another flood affected area (Gloucestershire).

I’m looking to change my car, a Toyota Corolla Estate, but don’t know whether to head down the 4x4 route for the sake of having a car that is higher off of the ground.

I would like a diesel vehicle (as I drive 15,000miles and more per year) and a reliable one because I’m often in the car on my own. I also have two large dogs, so boot space is important to me. I have a budget of about £9000

I have a shortlist of a couple of vehicles: CR-V, RAV4, X-Trail even post 2004 Freelanders. But are there other vehicles that don’t come under the dreaded 4x4 category that also fit the bill? Any advice gratefully received.

Thanks,

Katy Burton, UK

Hello Katy,

The Rav would probably be my choice of the 4x4s on your short list. It feels like a more expensive car when out on the open road.

You should also consider a Subaru Forester or Legacy. They come in 4-wheel drive but are estate cars, so more like your current driving experience. Your budget will buy a 2004 2.0 Forester, typically with 43,000 miles or a 2003 Legacy with an average mileage of 41,0000 miles.

You could also buy a Renault Scenic RX4. It is a little MPV that sits on a raised suspension, is four-wheel drive and has sporty plastic trim all round. They don’t make them anymore but there are plenty of clean 2004 models with just 40,000 miles for about £5,995. So you can open a cash ISA with the change.

Or buy an dingy and outboard so that if the Wales border counties do all flood, you can motor-boat to work!

Hi Matt,

I would welcome your guidance on the following;

5 years ago I bought a new Audi A4 3.0 Sport Cabriolet costing approximately £33k. I’m advised that the car is now worth approximately £13k PX, despite it being looked after very well and having a full manufacturers service history etc. Although I get close to 30mpg, I am concerned about fuel prices rising yet higher in the future and the additional expense that will arise. I thought about trading it in for another car which is a couple of years younger, of good build quality and economical on fuel, say a BMW coupe 2.0 d, and putting in £2-3k of my own money, but the choice isn’t great at that value. When I look at other models I can’t help thinking that I’d be trading in a very nice car for something that is a bulk standard car of a lower build quality.

An alternative is to buy a second old small car which I can use to run around in most days for short journeys – if I can get one for around £1,000 and which will be reasonably reliable, and use the Audi on the rarer occasion when the weather’s nice etc.

Do you have any suggestions for that second car or indeed an alternative approach?

Regards

Milan Grubnic, UK

Hi Milan,

Thank goodness you wrote.

Your car is worth £16,000 in a private sale. Don’t throw £3,000 away just because its easier to part exchange.

That will give you a budget of £19,000. If you still like the Audi, get a 2.7 Tdi A4 from 2006 with average mileage of 25,000.

Or if you want a change, try a coupe like the 2005 Mercredes-Benz CLK 220 Cdi.

Our main family car is currently a Range Rover with a bench seat fitted in the boot which can carry 2 of our 4 children. However due to the combined fact of our 10 year old getting too big and the announcement of a 5th addition to the family we find ourselves in need of a bigger vehicle. We are determined to steer clear of the people carrier route. Investigation of 7 seaters such as the Audi Q7 and Mercedes GL find them lacking in boot space - we realistically have to have enough space to carry kit for a weekend away - as well as a touch pricey. Tha only other alternative seems to be a Mercedes Vito Sport but I can't get over the fact that even with all the extras it still looks like a van. Is this the best we can hope for -are there no stylish alternatives for a large family?!

Our budget is anything from approx.£ 50k for something fabulous (if such a car exists) down to £25k for a "needs must".

Nicola Grant, UK

Well hello Nicola,

You have been busy, haven’t you? I agree with all your research, the Vito is pretty much a van.

A Land Rover Discovery or Volvo XC90 are probably best for you as there is lots of choice on the used market going back years. Allowing you to choose how much of your budget to use up.

But the only way I think you will be able to get a weekend’s worth of family gubbins in any vehicle - short of a mini-bus - is with a roof box.

Or a servant to follow on with the bags like Jeeves used to do for Bertie Wooster.

I am just starting up business as a builder; I need a small van, but since I'm 20 and have no 'no claims bonus' i am finding insurance a difficulty.

Could you please advise me on some good choices of low insurance cost vans for my situation.

Many Thanks,

Name and address withheld

Ok, when you start a business, you want great marketing and no overheads. So what about looking for an old Land Rover or Morris Minor van. The quirky ‘classic’ style means people will remember you.

Either way, the only way to get the insurance down is to buy something that is not worth much. Old LDVs and Mazda E-series (carpet fitters like them as you can get long rolls of carpet in) are both worth thinking about. And you need it to be pretty slow.

Big engines and long wheelbases drive the insurance group up. For example: A Ford Transit Connect is in category 4E, a normal Transit is 5E but the big engined-LWB is 7E.

Most of the competitors are similar, but for some reason the Renault Traffic seems to be lower. Just 4E for a normal Transit size van.

And don’t forget to have your name and number on the side. As well as free marketing, I think you can then claim the VAT on the van back.

With a growing family, my wife and I are looking for a car that can take 3 children and a dog. MPVs look a bit dull and the larger 4x4's are not very fuel efficient. I like the look of the BMW 5 Series Touring. I have a budget of £25K. Any other suggestions?

Mark Taylor, Stroud, UK

Hi Mark,

It is telling that you like look of the 5-series, rather than the drive or the price or repuation.

The Mercedes E-Class is probably too dull for you, and the dated Saab 9-5 has too much tacky chrome, the Subaru Legacy is a rival but doesn't have the brand lustre, Lexus don't have an estate... so... err… Audi A4 avant?

I am a 72 year old, 5 foot tall woman and wish to replace my much cherished 9-year-old 5 door RAV 4 with a similar but smaller new 4x4. Any suggestions? The budget is £20,000. I do about 5000 miles per year.

Lindy Piper, Durham, UK

Dear Linda,

You could buy a 2 year old BMW X3. A bit of luxury, at this, the high Summer of your life, could be just the ticket.

You can also afford to buy two Suzuki Grand Vitaras. One might be a good fit for your needs. But to wind the kids up, perhaps pretend to be a bit dotty and get two in different but equally vibrant colours?

You could also do a lot worse than a 3-door Rav.

Hi, I have recently bought the new Civic Type R, I think its a great car. However the company i work for has just been bought and my commute to the office has changed from 8 miles a day to 88! I was wondering as i will be averaging 24000 miles a year, when is the best time to sell in order to get as much of my money back as possible?

Many thanks

Name and Address withheld

Hi,

You have 56 days.

Then you will have put a year’s worth of real average mileage on your car and dropped it to 2007-registered prices.

If you sell now, at worst you will lose about £2,000. If you wait 56 days, potentially £3,000, then pretty quickly £4,000, then it starts getting worse.

Alternatively keep it for 5 or 6 years and drive it to death.

I am looking for a new car that has to be - economical -comfortable over long distances - carry camping/ski equipment - handle occasional snowy roads and muddy fields - seat 4 people - cost under 20,000 GBP. Do I need 4 wheel drive for the odd trip to the alps? And I'd rather not have an estate as they still remind me of hearses.

Adrian Vincent, Skipton, UK

Adrian,

Sadly, due to a god-given lack of co-ordination, I don’t ski. If I tried, I suspect I would find myself coming home in a hearse. Consequently, I’m not really sure how bad the weather gets up in the Alps.

If you really want four-wheel drive, a 2005 Audi A4 Quattro would be yours for £20,000 with 27,000 miles and you can get 37mpg. If you don’t need that, a 2007 Subaru legacy2.5 litre saloon will give you 34 mpg.

We are looking for a second hand vehicle to drive to Malta and keep there. Budget up to £6000. Needs to be suitable for 4 adults and 2 children plus space for luggage. High Mileage not a problem once in Malta but vehicle needs to be comfortable and robust for the roads there. We looked at a Grand Cherrokee but find the ride too spongy on country roads and we felt seasick!

Do you have any suggestions?

Many thanks.

Name and address withheld

Hi,

I was thinking about Volvo V70s, but then I realised you want to transport 4 adults.

So its got to be a Ford Galaxy or VW Sharan. They are the same car and the same money. Your budget will buy a 1.9 Tdi with 62,000 miles.

It should be easy to keep running once out there.

I need help to make up my mind between buying a new or used Astra Twintop. For the entry price of the Twintop there are some used high spec Design twintops 6 - 18 months old at a similar price . What are the advantages and disadvantages of buying new and old?

Rosemary Marshall, Hitchin, UK

Hi Rosemary,

If you buy new you can specify exactly what you want and will get a full 3 year warranty.

If you buy nearly new you get most of the warranty and won’t make a mistake on the spec because what you see is what you get. Someone else pays the first nasty bit of depreciation for you and you can drive away there and then. Assuming you have paid.

Further information: www.usedcarexpert.co.uk