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Car Choice: Anne needs something for the not-so-shy retiring type

Anne Dow's husband has just retired. They have relied on a company car with a MINI One as a back up, though this is often borrowed by their daughter. Now they need a second-hand car, with a budget of £9,000 to £15,000. Their new house in Devon has a tiny driveway, so something easy to manoeuvre is a must. They want something sporty but capable of a comfy journey to, say, Edinburgh.

Inside Comment

Car Choice: On yer bike: four wheels with room for two more

Sunday, 11 April 2010

Ben Garside is 37 years old and has a 2003 Ford Focus TDCi Zetec, which has been remapped for better performance and also has lowered suspension.

Car Choice: Annie, get your car

Sunday, 4 April 2010

Annie Reyburn is a 56-year-old retired school teacher, and she is looking for a hatchback with a large boot or fold-down rear seat. She rarely travels great distances, and has a budget of around £5,000. Annie was considering the scrappage scheme, which has now finished, but liked the idea of a warranty. Even so, Annie is worried about depreciation, especially if she buys a newer car.

Car Choice: How to stay hot but not get too thirsty

Sunday, 28 March 2010

Ben Garside wants a used car and has sent me a list: Ford Puma, Mark 2 VW Golf GTI, Toyota Celica 1.8 petrol, the 130hp turbo-diesel versions of the previous-model Seat Ibiza, Skoda Fabia, and VW Polo. However, his point is that most of the petrol hot hatches he has considered have poor fuel economy – under 40mpg – which Ben finds hard to accept, having driven a diesel and got 50+ mpg, as well as good performance.

Car Choice: This just goes to show, two into one will go

Sunday, 21 March 2010

Richard Harrison has recently retired, and plans to replace his Mercedes C automatic – used for towing – and his wife's Toyota automatic Rav4, with just one vehicle.

Car Choice: 'I'm looking for fun, but I'm not a boy racer, honest'

Sunday, 14 March 2010

Graham Hyde is looking for a used car for about £12,000. Graham says that he is not a boy racer but is looking to have some fun – without going too wild. He has been considering such cars as the Subaru Impreza Turbo, Volkswagen Golf GTI, and Honda Civic Type R. He says he has also considered something "more left field", such as the Alfa Romeo GT, so he is open to suggestions.

Car Choice: A little forward planning can pay dividends

Sunday, 7 March 2010

Kerry Dickinson is just 16 and is already thinking ahead to when she will be able to drive. She lives in rural Norfolk and getting around is a huge problem. Although a moped is an option, she would rather wait another year and save for a safer, more comfy and warmer car. Kerry is aware that this will be costly, but wants to be prepared and have an idea about which cars she should be considering.

Car Choice: Safe, sturdy, and room for growing kids...plus a cello

Sunday, 28 February 2010

Christine Farris has written her Vauxhall Agila off in the recent cold snap. Not her fault – she hit some black ice and could not stop, until she made contact with some dustbins and then a gate. Safety is now a priority, as is more room, because she needs space for two growing daughters and a cello. Her budget is £4,000 to £5,000, and Car Choice has agreed to be on call for 24 hours to help get Christine sorted out.

Looking for a bargain motor? Try the internet

Sunday, 21 February 2010

You can save thousands, says Chiara Cavaglieri

Car Choice: Charlie's looking for a weekend plaything

Sunday, 21 February 2010

Charlie Jackson is thinking of investing in a weekend "toy" and has a budget of around £25,000. He fancies something with two seats and a lot of grip, and has been thinking along the lines of a Porsche Cayman. Practicality is not an issue, as fun is the major factor – and Charlie is not planning on any track days. Having said that, he is going to use the car all year round, so an open car may not be the best option – especially after this winter.

Car Choice: Nothing like a head-on crash to get you thinking about safety

Sunday, 14 February 2010

Jady Newton's Suzuki Jimny was written off in a head-on collision with a car that was on the wrong side of the road. As both airbags were deployed, it has made her think a lot more about safety. She has £3,600 to buy a new car, which must have airbags, be no more than seven years old, and is not French. Jady would like a car that is interesting – and realises that she might be asking a bit too much.

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