For your criteria - I'm seeing VW Passats, loads of Audi A4s with decent kit (comfy!), the 2.0L diesel Avensis (2009 plate, fairly reasonable mileage for £10k), some top end Mondeos and those Lexuses you mention. I'd happily cruise along in a Passat, an Audi or an Avensis. Honda Accord is nice too. Volvo?

I think it's well established to leave the Mazda 6 diesel alone; shame really as the petrols are so good. I have done 20k in mine over the past year and it has been superb.

I’ve been doing a very long commute for a few years now (since 1993!!) and tried various forms of car ownership over the years.

You need to examine your costs carefully:-

1) The difference between petrol and diesel on a daily long run may be less than you would imagine. Even larger petrols can be fairly economical on a run. I remember being disappointed with the improvement in fuel economy when moving from an Octavia petrol(45) to a Superb diesel(50 -I know it’s a bigger car but…) The difference between 45mpg and 50mpg in fuel cost at your mileage is only £275.

2) Depreciation is usually the biggest cost – with your mileage simply presume you will be throwing your car away at the end.

3) 10k is a lot to spend on a used car unless you have a loooong warranty – 25k miles/annum in what could be a problem car?

4) The cost of tyres can also be significant – if you buy a car that needs new super low profile tyres @12.5k miles costing £150 each you suddenly have an annual cost of £1200!!!!!!!

5) VAG cam belt replacement every 4years/40k a pain.

I’ve found that I don’t usually get value buying used – always seem to get someone else’s previous problem - probably worse today with Euro IV & V mods causing all sorts of reliability issues. The best car was a Skoda Octavia (only poverty spec 1.4) that I bought new in 2001 for 9k - The warranty and the aftercare was great + cheap tyres (£40 each lasting 40k miles), economical (45+), quiet, comfortable. I semi retired the car a few years ago but my wife still drives it!

I have since purchased my Superb 1.9 pd used at 18months old for 8k – it wasn’t perfect ( discovered a bit of repaired parking damage + climate control problem fixed under warranty – good job as it was a big job – dash + seats out!!) but actually has been OK although cost of tyres a bit of an issue!!

After this I’m not sure. Probably new (whatever the model - it is still a new set of parts)depending on price (look out for special deals) Petrol - much cheaper to buy (e.g.1.2tsi cam chain Octavia for 11k from drive the deal) v Diesel (lot more expensive, bit more economical but DPF issues etc..) – hung jury – probably petrol. I’m also tempted by some of the deals emerging from manufacturers with longer warranties (Hyundai , Kia).

I know you have been discussing higher spec cars at 3years old but spending that amount of money on a car no longer covered by a manufacturers warranty would worry me. The reality of doing 25k miles per year shouldn’t be underestimated.

Sorry for War and Peace but...

Edited by Big John on 02/10/2011 at 23:25

I'll be accused of bias as I'm on my second Octavia: but given your criteria an Octavia would suit you well. Either a nearly-new 1.2 or 1.4 petrol or a 1.6 or 2.0 TDI.

The 1.9 TDI isn't made any more (I can't remember when they stopped); the 2.0 PD is best avoided but the newer commom-rail diesel seems to have fewer problems.

Alternatively consider a Ford Focus or Mondeo TDCI: they are good cars but don't hold their value well because there are too many being offloaded by fleets.