Email Matt with your questions

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

I currently drive a saab 9-5 estate with the boot given over to our 2 golden retrievers. We are expecting twins in May. I plan to use a divider to split the boot in half with the dogs on one side and double pram (and other kit) on the other. I want the dogs to have as much room as possible and am wondering if there any vehicles with considerably more space behind the rear seats? My budget is up to £45k.

N Hughes, Glasgow, UK

Mr Hughes,

Your golden retrievers are currently enjoying the luxury of 416 litres of boot space. A Volkswagen Passat will give you 603 litres, which cut in half will see the dogs in 115 litres less space.

But, a Mercedes-Benz E-Class has 690 litres, so they can enjoy 395 litres, just 21 litres less. Get them into slightly longer walks and with any luck they will feel trim and not notice.

If they prefer to be driven everywhere and won’t consider joining a gym, then a Jeep Grand Cherokee is the answer. It offers an almost unbelievable 978 litres of boot space.

Matt

Hi Matt,

We are going to change our two door Polo for something more suitable for a young growing family. We have no idea what to go for though. With a 20-month-old daughter and a baby due in June, one of the main problems is getting in and out of the two door. For this reason we want a 5 door family car, but my wife doesn’t want it to be cumbersome. Fuel economy is important but the purchase price needs to be within our budget of £12000 – £15000. Ideally we would like to buy a new car.

We look forward to your reply.

Regards,

Andrew Norrby, N Ireland

Hello Andrew,

If you are happy with the current wheels, take a look at a four door Polo. But equally, why not be a bit old school and look at the Vauxhall Astra?

The new Astra build quality is right up there with VW and it’s easy to park. Really you want at least the 1.7 CDTi engine to give you economy and enough grunt for it to be safe. So you will need to haggle hard for a new one, but a one year old from Network Q will be as good as new and within budget.

Matt

I am looking for the best family car based purely on refinement - i.e. the quietest smoothest ride with the best quality interior? Reliability is important too.

I place no value in 'sportiness' as it usually means a harsh ride over speed bumps and vomiting children!

My budget is 25k and I'm prepared to buy new or a less than one year old from a dealer.

I am considering MPVs, small 4x4s, small estates, and standard saloons.

Brand / image is of no consequence to me in the decision.

Shaun Collins, London, UK

Hi Shaun,

Are you sitting down? I’m going to tell it like it is.

1. Strike MPVs and small 4x4s off the list. They are not as refined as saloons.

2. Buy a Volvo S40. I tested one a few weeks ago and it felt like I was floating everywhere. It meets everyone of your criteria: reliable, quality, refined, smooth.

Matt

I needs some simple advice on buying two new cars from a VW dealer I am thinking of ordering one passat and th jetta. These cars are dealer spec and end of year stock. they have given a average discount and how much more discount could I get from each car as I going to by two and I have already order a brand New Golf Gti Edition 30 from the same dealer.

Jetta TDI 2.0 Sport 140ps Deep black

Beige Leather 2 Zone, tinted glass, RCD500, sensor pack £21,552 £17,999 £3,553 PASSAT Saloon SE 2.0 TDI 140 DSG BLUE GRAPHITE BLACK VERONA 2ZONE CLIMATE CONTROL, MACAU ALLOY WHEELS, CONVENIENCE PACK £21,697 £18,799 £2,898 PASSAT SALOON SE 2.0 TDI DSG BLUE GRAPHITE BLACK VERONA 2ZONE CLIMATE CONTROL, MONTE CARLO ALLOY WHEELS, CONVENIENCE PACK, £21,817 £18,999 £2,818 PASSAT SALOON SPORT 2.0 TDI 170PS STEEL GREY BLACK KARAH PARKING SENSORS, RADIO RCD INCL CD A/CHANGER, WITHOUT AUTOHOLD £22,177 £19,499 £2,678

PASSAT SALOON SPORT 2.0 TDI 170 PS DSG DEEP BLACK BLACK LE MANS, MATS, C/C, TIP CNTRL, P/SEN,RCD £24,102 £20,999 £3,103 PASSAT SALOON SPORT 2.0 TDI 170 PS DSG REFLEX SILVER BLACK MATS, C/C, DVD NAV+CD,P/SEN, HTD SEATS/WASHERS £25,167 £21,999 £3,168 Passat Saloon 2.0 SE TDI 140ps DSG Reflex Silver Black Verona Convenience Pack, Parking Sensors £21,187 £17,512 £3,675

Thanks

H Ahmad, Liverpool, UK

Mr Ahmad,

How many cars do you really need?

The discounts look good for someone haggling over one car. While haggling theory says the ‘more you buy the more discount you get,’ that only works if the seller’s costs drop. The dealer’s cost of bringing the car in is not going to drop because you are buying 3. 300, now that would be different.

So if you want to save much more, you could look at one year old cars. The Jetta, with about 10,000 miles will be about £15,000, the Passat will usually have done a few more miles (average of 18,000) but will be about £18,000.

Happy haggling,

Matt

I am starting a new job in the new year. it will require a high volume of motorway travel (40k per year) I prefer a taller vehicle as i can see further ahead, and part of my useage is over unmade roads. i am looking for a 4 X 4. would you recommend an older model to effectively run for 1-2 years and discard, or a new one on a PCP (current figure is £600 pcm). ideas please. ps am 6'3 and currently drive a range rover vogue td6

John Haigh, Halifax, UK

Hi John,

If you buy new or nearly new you need to sell every year. Mileage like that over 3 years just wipes value off cars.

If you take a loan you need to be careful that in a year’s time the car value and the loan will be similar. The prices tool at www.UsedCarExpert.co.uk will help with this.

In descending order of fuel economy, assuming you want a similar calibre of vehicle, you could buy a Toyota Land Cruiser, Volkswagen Tourag or Range Rover. But you are looking at buying 2-3 year old cars on that budget.

I would look for an older Toyota Land Cruiser (because even the old ones are reliable and go on forever) and discard it after 2 or 3 years.

But don’t be surprised if you become attached to it!

Matt

I have a business and this involves travelling extensively around the highlands of Scotland, mostly on A but some times B roads. In the last three years I have had three spins and a few minor slides that I somehow managed to get out of. As I feel it is only a matter of time before I do some damage to myself, I would be grateful of some advice about a car that is good for winter driving, tyre selection and four wheel drive etc. There are an array of permanent / semi-permanent four wheel drives, with esp locking diffs etc. And lastly if I do hit black ice, or lose traction, will any of these ESP traction control things make a blind bit of difference?

Thanks very much.

Chris Campbell, Edinburgh, UK

Dear Chris,

I would very much like to meet you; you must have a fairly exciting driving style?

Before we get into cars and tyres, can I recommend a winter driving course? Rockingham currently have them on offer for just £175. Visit Rockingham.co.uk. Cheaper than changing the tyres and may make a bigger difference.

Yes, ESP traction control and 4x4 are all going to help you. My top picks are the Subaru Legacy and the Audi A4 Quattro. The grip through corners is as astonishing as it is reassuring.

The next thing to do is have winter tyres fitted all round (never just on part of the car) and ensure they are correctly inflated. Michelin and Bridgestone both offer high quality winter tyres. In my general experience of the two brands, Michelin provide a wonderful soft and grippy tyre, but as your driving style sounds a bit like mine, you may find the Bridgestone lasts longer…

Matt

I have a 1987 BMW 318i with 16,000 genuine miles in immaculate condition which I wish to sell. Could you please advise me what price could I sell it for and where would be the best place to advertise.

Many Thanks,

Leonardo Meylan, West Byfleet, Surrey

Dear Leonardo,

Your car is in a frustrating no man’s land. It is not a real classic and nor is it a banger. Far from it.

You need to advertise on BMW forums, in the BMW car magazine and any other medium where BMW enthusiasts hang out. Put a colour picture in and lots of glowing information about the car. Invite offers – do not name the price! A fan might make a surprising offer. But you can also expect the odd insulting offer from a cute trader who wants to sell it on.

Looking at the market, the only comparables I can see have nearer 50,000 or 60,000 miles and are fetching £2,000 - £2,500. You should aim for at least £3,000. But you might get a much higher offer if you take my advice.

Matt

My wife is about to have our 3rd child - currently we have 2 boys of 4 and 7 and a 2002 BMW 530i Sport. We cannot fit 3 car seats into the back seat (and the seats only seem to come in one size) so are looking for something new. It cannot be a 4x4 (wife's eco-scruples) and I would really (really) like to avoid an MPV. I love the BMW. Have tried an S-Max - ok but still an MPV! Budget up to £25k, doesn't have to be new, just reliable and hopefully not middle-aged. Any ideas? I have thought about a 7-seat MB E-class, but not too keen about putting kids in the boot.

Iain MacDonald, London, UK

Hi Iain,

How persuasive are you when you want to be? The 530i gives you just 28 MPG but a Volvo XC90 (4x4) diesel will give you 34 mpg. So is greener than your current car and the best car for your criteria.

Failing that, the Mercedes-Benz is probably next best. Otherwise, it is MPVs for you. I probably wouldn’t tell your wife that a diesel S-Max will give you 43 mpg, I would stick to the point that the petrol engine only gives 34 mpg so is similar to the Volvo in eco-terms.

Matt

I am looking for a cabriolet with a big lockable boot to travel with two adults and an automatic gearbox, new or used.

My choice so far is the new Smart Passion Cabrio.

Are there any others? The collapsible hard tops on offer have no luggage space. I want the car for touring, not to show off. I buy the car in Germany.

Brenda Pegg, Xlendi, Malta

Hello Brenda,

Where are you off too?

If your budget will run to £16,000, there are plenty of Audi TT Roadsters with autos. They have 290 litres of boot space. Or there are the Q-Tronic Alfa Romeo Breras with 300 litres of boot space in the £18,000 - £20,000 price bracket.

If you want to spend less then there are some Mazda MX-5 autos on the market, ranging from £2,000 to £24,000. 150 litres of boot space means you will need to pack more carefully, but the car is much more suitable for touring than the tiny-engine Smart.

Matt

I currently drive a 2001 BMW318i and my 17 year old daughter has just passed her driving test. I cant afford to run another car for her so I am thinking of trading mine in to buy something we can both drive. Obviously insurance is an issue but I would still like something with a bit of style. I would also like to be more 'green'. What would you suggest for around £6000

Gillian Wakenshaw, Chislehurst, UK

Hi Gillian,

A lot is said about young drivers needing small-engine cars to be safe. Of course, a driver with no experience should not be given a TVR or anything else than can torque-steer (where the power is so massive that it alone will send the car spinning).

But I am constantly trying to make people see that a tiny engine is just as dangerous. If your daughter has a Fiat Punto 1.2 she will still go onto motorways or A-roads. If another driver pulls out she only has the option of heavy braking because the car will have no power. In a more powerful car, she has the option of driving around the problem. It’s the same in villages. If a child steps into the road and stops, driving around is sometimes a better judgement call than standing on the brakes and sliding into an accident.

If you went for a 1.9 turbo diesel Beetle you would be funky if not quite stylish and it would be greener than the BMW. You could also consider a Golf as there will be more on the market in your price range.

Matt

Further information: www.usedcarexpert.co.uk

Explore Driving

• Jeremy Clarkson

• New Car Reviews

• Used Car Reviews

• News

• Features

• In The Showroom

• Buying Guide

• Car Clinic