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Car Choice: What does the future hold for Ronnie after the Jazz age?

Ronnie Wilson is a pensioner and sadly, due to illness, his wife can no longer drive. They currently have a 2005 Honda Jazz, which has been an excellent little car for them, but now they want something more comfortable for long trips. The main criterion is that the car allows the passenger seat to be raised, to give Ronnie’s wife better vision. Economy and easy maintenance are a priority, and their budget – including trading in the Jazz – is around £10,000.

Inside Comment

Car Choice: Something elegant and sporty, with room for a border collie

Sunday, 11 October 2009

Sharon Finch is looking to replace her Ford Puma with something similar which is also elegant, sporty, has good performance, is very responsive, and is not too big. Sharon says the Puma is easy to park, but she does not want a Mini. Style is the most important factor – although a border collie occasionally needs a seat. Sharon has up to £20,000 to spend. Her mileage is on the low side, running at 7,500 miles a year around the M25.

Surprised by Daihatsu

Friday, 9 October 2009

I was reading up on Daihatsu's plans for the Tokyo Motor Show later this month. For some reason I've never really given much thought to the company or its products; for some reason I had categorised it as a manufacturer of interchangeable, small, boxy cars.

Car Choice: Mobility scooters can wait – there's a funky alternative

Sunday, 4 October 2009

Peter Unsworth is 75, disabled, and needs a vehicle that he can slide into rather than crouch down to enter. With that in mind he has been thinking about some van-based people carriers.

Car Choice: Don't worry about those first-car premiums. Get a Life

Sunday, 27 September 2009

Eric Chambers is looking for a small, economical, diesel, second-hand car for his 19-year-old son, who lives in the Oxford area. Eric's budget is from £4,000, with £5,000 as an absolute maximum. He was thinking of a Volkswagen Polo, a Citro�*C2, or a Peugeot 207. Otherwise, Eric has an open mind about what to get though he needs to be aware of the perennial problem with young drivers – insurance premiums.

Sean O'Grady: When there's no vroom, vroom, it makes it all seem a bit ho-hum

Monday, 14 September 2009

The trouble with electric cars is that they just don't feel right to drive. There's no involvement. No passion. No fun. Usually, they are ugly, slow and unsafe. And they will never emit the sonorous symphony of burbles and grunts of a proper V8. If you love cars, you will be disappointed. Leccy cars just, well, go sluggishly, silently and rather boringly. And not very far.

Car Choice: Say cheerio, Cherokee – meet Mondeo mum

Sunday, 13 September 2009

Lynne Gould is 61 and has a five-year-old Jeep Grand Cherokee that was bought to tow a caravan. There is no longer a caravan in Lynne's life, so now she wants an alternative vehicle, which will on average cover 11,000 miles a year economically. It will be required to accommodate Lynne's 84-year-old mother, often a grandchild – plus there is another on the way. Lynne also occasionally needs to transport large items, so needs space when the rear seats are laid flat.

5 ways to cut your motoring costs

Wednesday, 9 September 2009

Last week's fuel duty increase has sparked anger and despair among British motorists, with haulage firms and drivers’ groups outraged by the rise. Effective from midnight on 31 August, the measure has seen the price of both petrol and diesel jump by 2.3p per litre.

Car Choice: Oh do beehive! An apiarist gives us a buzz

Sunday, 6 September 2009

Craig Treeby is due to retire at the end of the year and lose his company car. He does want to continue his hobby as a beekeeper. Craig's dream is to become relatively self-sufficient, which will mean having a car that is tough, and that has a decent carrying capacity – or could tow a trailer.

Car Choice: Wanted: Quirky, reliable, economical Transformer

Sunday, 30 August 2009

Rosanna Dixon is 44, and currently drives a Chrysler PT Cruiser, which she loves, despite having lots of problems with it. Notwithstanding the high fuel bills and cost of parts – and the fact that it is now broken – she thinks that it is classy, has a comfortable interior, and makes her feel safe. She is at a loss as to how to replace it, and wants a combination of quirkiness and reliability, along with some economy for her daily 60-mile commute.

Car Choice: Sic transit Gloria's Metro...

Sunday, 23 August 2009

Gloria Johnson is looking to buy a replacement for her beloved automatic Rover Metro. She actually wants something just like it – small but powerful, nippy, easy to park, and surprisingly roomy. Ideally with power steering and air-con. It will be used for the daily station run, vet visits, grocery shopping, teenage ferrying, and several long motorway journeys each year on the university run. Gloria has £10,000 cash and wants to take advantage of the £2,000 scrappage scheme.

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