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Seventy cruiser

The time has come to replace my disappointing 2001/51 Laguna Sport Tourer. I am now 74 years old, looking to trade down a size and stick with an estate car. I do 10,000 miles each year, a mix of short and longer journeys, cruising at no more than 75-80 on motorways. I might go for a used car, hopefully around 3 years old, with about 25,000 on the clock. A Ford Focus has been suggested. Do you have any other ideas?

Asked on 1 May 2010 by A.C., via e-mail

Answered by Honest John
The Focus is an excellent car, but expensive at list prices and due for replacement by a new model at the end of the year. The current Mk III incarnation (really a facelifted Mk II) is much better than the Mk II. Cheaper, new, value-for-money alternatives are the KIA cee'd and Hyundai i30, with long warranties, too, but they don't ride as well. Other alternatives with good ride quality are the new Vauxhall Astra 5-dr and the Renault Megane. A useful compromise car (excellent at absorbing potholes and road humps) is the Suzuki SX4/FIAT Sedici.

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