Can you recommend a car to downsize from our Volkswagen Passat?

I am currently driving a 10-year-old Volkswagen Passat B6 1.9TDi estate now coming up to 120,000 miles. Whilst this has been an excellent car I no longer need anything as big or powerful (I got the B6 when we were towing a caravan) and, given the age and mileage, I feel the time is coming to change it. I am looking for something smaller but with good load capacity, not least for accommodating our greyhound. I do about 10,000 miles a year, including a reasonable amount of motorway driving so a comfortable ride over longer distances is important. I will be buying a low mileage used car no more than three years old and am looking to spend £8000 - £9000. So far I have identified the Skoda Roomster, Citroen C3 Picasso and Vauxhall Meriva as possible replacements. I would be interested to hear what you think about these.

Asked on 23 November 2013 by AD, Nottingham

Answered by Honest John
The current model Meriva B 1.4T is good. Roomsters are best with the 1.2TSI 105, if you can find one. C3 Picassos are decent to drive and spacious, but had a few problems.
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