Which car is good for a retired couple to tour the UK with?

My wife and I have retired and are intending to cut down from two cars, a 2004 Volkswagen Passat TDi and a 2000 Ford Focus 1.6, to one. We will be doing 8000-10,000 miles a year and hope to drive on holidays throughout the UK. My son has recommended the new Focus, and my wife is very fond of the old one, but could you please suggest a few alternatives? Our budget is about £22,000, and we are not fussy about new or used, or petrol or diesel, we'd just like to get a good deal and a reliable, enjoyable car.

Asked on 1 July 2012 by RC, Farnborough

Answered by Honest John

Rather than a Focus, why not a C-Max? They handle just as well, offer more space and the upright seating position is very comfortable. An oddball alternative within your price range is a Mazda 5 TS2 1.6 diesel. I'm running one for a year and it is fabulously comfortable, with excellent ride and handling on bumpy surfaces. It has the same 1.6-litre diesel engine as the Focus and C-Max, but you must get the TS2 to get it on 16-inch wheels with 205/55 tyres.

Tags: mpvs ride comfort reliability

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