Don't forget to look into the possibility of having to fit a transmission oil-cooler to whatever you buy.

I Chrysler 300c is nothing more than a poorly made e class w210 a E class w211 is probably one of the best cars made a 320 diesel can be obtained for around 5k whereas petrols are for nothing by comparison.

Well chaps I have got the following, the deal is done:

2004 Vectra 3.2 auto elite estate, leather, 77k miles, 1 year warranty, FSH, hpi. £1800. Lots of buttons on the wheel, dash etc. Sensible wheels and tyres.

The dealer said (after I paid) there's a facility for checking your economy.... but i wouldn't look at it if I were you.

Ha ha.

Excellent, hope it continues to serve you well.

Wasn't an unmarked police 3.2 Vectra involved in a case a few years back, where a policeman was caught 'testing the capabilities of the car' at over 140mph? :-)

Is the current Mondeo as roomy in estate form?

Or the Skoda Superb estate?

You may have to go for a MPV or van based MPV.

regards room, yes it's like a limo in the back. It is in the wheelbase, it's obvious when you look at it. It's incomparably better at towing than my old Volvo.

Once you're inside it definitely does not feel like a sub £2K car.

Next car, I want something with that 5.7 "hemi", whatever hemi means. I just need to get it past the missis aaaaagagakakak

I had a Subaru 3.0R SpecB estate. Built like a rock, handled brilliantly and never got above 25mpg. Miss it quite a bit.

I had a Subaru Outback 3.0Rn. I would still have it but for the lack of rear passenger space.

VECTRA UPDATE

I'll try and give you the short version.

Vectra written off by a bus whose brakes failed. Liability admitted. My insurer yesterday offered me £1399. After I calmed down I asked what planet this "market valuation" was obtained on. Apparently the engineer uses Glass's Guide and Autotrader.

Well I scoured Autotrader meself and found nothing below £1800 and the examples I quoted back at the insurer were all higher miles, lower spec, not had the cambelt done (mine has) etc etc. So waiting to hear.

HERE'S THE QUESTION: I remember in the HJ column a while back something about going direct to the third party insurer (via my solicitor), bypassing my own insurer, and demanding to be put back in the position I was in before the accident. In other words, ignore what some cross-eyed engineer thinks is the "market valuation". I want my car back, or one like it, and I don't care what it costs.

Incidentally I went to an independent local trader and he punched my car details into his computer, and it came up with a retail of £1950.

What does the panel think?

By the way thank you to the previous correspondents for their car suggestions, I'm going through them now. Are Audis worth the money or are people buying the badge?

Dear me such a lot of questions.