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Dream topping

My husband has given me a budget of approximately £13,500 to buy a new or fairly new used car. This budget includes whatever I can get for my present car, which is a June 2003 Ford Focus LX with 48,500 miles on the clock and is in very good condition. I am a 52 year old 'young at heart' woman, who would like something fairly fun to drive. So far I have had a test drive of the BMW 1 Series and the Vauxhall Astra Twintop, both of which I really enjoyed. I also drove a Peugeot 207CC but found the rear seats would be of no use at all if my two daughters wanted to sit in the back. However, this is not a major issue as we have a BMW 5 Series family car, the girls have a Peugeot 207 between them and both of them will be at university in September. We have also decided that our eldest daughter, who is 21 in October, will be put on my insurance, so that would maybe have to be taken in to account.

Asked on 31 October 2009 by

Answered by Honest John
FIAT 500C 1.3 Multijet Pop, on 15" wheels with 185/55 tyres for better ride and steering feel. See the test and video at www.honestjohn.co.uk Just be aware that the DPF on this engine requires regular regeneration. The diesel cannot be used solely for short runs from cold and the oil needs to be checked regularly for contamination from fuel oil. 1.2 and 1.4 petrol engines also available.
Dear Honest John,

Please help me choose my next car. I would like it to have:
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