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What do you recommend for new car? I am 69 and my wife is 66. Our current car is a Volvo S40 SE 2.0 Diesel 41,000 purchased from new Sept 2004. Looking for good fuel economy, low RFT/Insurance similar standard of car with 5 doors. Available to spend: £22,000

Asked on 10 July 2010 by PH, Welshpool

Answered by Honest John
Your problem is that you don't do a big mileage and low-tax EU5 diesels with particulate filters are not suitable for short runs from cold. So I'd forget about "saving" £60 a year on annual tax and go for one of the new generation 1.2, 1.4 or 1.6 turbo petrol engines. I got 42 out of a SEAT Ibiza 1.4 Twincharger DSG and 44 out of as Citroen DS3 1.6THP 150, and I currently get 54.5mpg out of my own FIAT 500 1.2 petrol. Cars with small petrol turbos include the Polo 1.2TSI, Golf 1.2TSI and 1.4TSI, Audi A3 1.4TSI, SEAT Ibiza 1.2TSI and 1.4TSI, SEAT Leon 1.4TSI, Skoda Yeti 1.2TSI, Renault Megane 1.4TCe, Peugeot 207 1.6THP 150, Peugeot 308 1.6THP 150, Vauxhall Astra 1.4 turbo, Vauxhall Meriva 1.4 turbo. I'd take a test drive in the Meriva. My test and video here: www.honestjohn.co.uk/news/road-tests/vauxhall/vaux...0.

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