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Take a look at your wardrobe. What do you wear in a week? Your day-to-day outfits can give clues as to what car’s the right choice for you. Odds are they will match the needs of where you go and what you do – the ultimate goal of your car too.
Still stuck on what sort of car you need? Here are a couple of easy, but essential, pointers to bear in mind:
What do you need?
Do you regularly carry passengers or is it wheels for one you’re after? It’s not practical (or legal) to squish your kids in the boot just because you’ve always fancied a coupe.
What’s your budget?
In your mind you may be the latest National Lottery winner, but in reality the odds are that you’re not. Purchase price aside, can you afford to fuel that fearsome 4x4? What about the insurance costs on your pretty little convertible? Don’t forget that cars continue to cost money even after you’ve bought them. |
Top recommended:
Vauxhall Zafira
Reasons why:
Easy, sporty and fun to drive, folding rear seats for five or seven passengers and plenty of boot space too.
Alternatives:
Renault Scenic, Honda FR-V, Ford Galaxy
Green gal’s choice:
Diesel Ford S-Max 1.8 TDCi LX (45.6mpg) |
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Top recommended:
Volkswagen Fox
Reasons why:
Big for a small car, simple and sturdy, good value for money
Alternatives:
Proton Savvy, Kia Picanto, Citroen C1
Green gal’s choice:
Fiat Panda 1.3 (65.7mpg) |
Top recommended:
BMW 5 Series
Reasons why:
This Beamer oozes class, comfort and refinement, great long-distance cruiser
Alternatives:
BMW 3 Series, Mercedes E Class, Jaguar S-Type
Green gal’s choice:
Audi A6 2.0 TDi (46.3mpg) |
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Top recommended:
Porsche Boxster
Reasons why:
Porsche envy, totally impractical but looks
beautiful, brilliant driving and handling whatever your speed.
Alternatives:
Nissan 350z, BMW 3 series cabriolet/convertible, Saab 9-3
Green gal’s choice:
Petrol Vauxhall Tigra 1.4i (46.3mpg) |
Top recommended:
Mini Cooper S
Reasons why:
An iconic car that’s built to last, great interior design too.
Alternatives:
Vauxhall Astra VXR, Ford Focus ST, Volkswagen Golf GTi
Green gal’s choice:
Toyota Yaris SR (a warm rather than hot hatch!) |
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Top recommended:
Nissan X-Trail
Reasons why:
Superb handling on and off road, roomy interior and boot, reliable with good-quality build
Alternatives:
Toyota RAV4, Kia Sportage, Land Rover Freelander
Green gal’s choice:
Diesel 2.2-litre Honda CR-V (43.5mpg) |
Top recommended:
Vauxhall Corsa
Reasons why:
Sporty to drive, funky looking,
practical and feels bigger than it is
Alternatives:
Suzuki Swift Sport, Citroen C1, Smart ForTwo
Green gal’s choice:
Diesel Toyota Aygo (68.9mpg) |
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Top recommended:
Skoda Octavia
Reasons why:
So much car for your cash! Well specified, tons of room for passengers and luggage and offers an accomplished, good drive
Alternatives:
Ford Focus, Volkswagen Golf, Vauxhall Astra
Green gal’s choice:
Hybrid Toyota Prius 1.5 (65.7mpg)
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