buying | Ask Honest John

Ask Honest John

Most recently answered buying questions

I am looking at changing my Toyota RAV4? Can you possibly give me an alternative car to buy that has about the same spec as the RAV4. Only thing with the RAV4 is the fuel MPG, the maximum return on urban...

All season tyres

Here I am again with another request for help. I am intending to purchase a Mazda CX-3 2.0 petrol AWD with 18-inch wheels on contract hire and have requested that they put on all- season tyres as best...

Choice between 3 preferred cars?

I want to buy a replacement for a 52 plate Volkswagen Passat. Petrol only due to low annual mileage. Narrowed down to 3 choices: new 5 door manual Golf GTI (£25.5K), new Octavia vRS Estate (£23.5K), or...

Advice on buying a used Lexus?

I am looking at a 2008 Lexus RX400h with 72000 miles from a Lexus dealer. I assume the hybrid battery and motor will need to be replaced. Could this be done properly by an independent Toyota/Lexus garage?...

Is leasing better than buying?

My 25 year old daughter needs a small car to get to and from work as a teacher. She lives in Kings Lynn - would leasing be a good idea and would it cover insurance and would they help her if the car went...

Advice on Nissan X-Trail?

I am emigrating to Australia and need to buy a car when I get there. I'm really close to signing a contract on a Nissan X-Trail. A family member just advised me to stay away from Nissan and I then looked...

Buying a car for retirement

I'm due to retire soon and looking for a car that has good build quality, reliability and very low cabin noise. I have £12-15k to spend and the Lexus IS 250 and Audi A4 2.0 are top of the list. Annual...

How are residual values set on used cars?

I have been wondering for some time how residual values are set? Obviously there are used car price guides (for the consumer and the trade) but who establishes the prices in the first place, and how? I'm...

Porsche Macan petrol or diesel?

I will be retiring in about 12 months time when I will lose my company car and I am thinking about ordering a Macan S. I doubt I will do more than 10k per annum but I do envisage at least one long trip...

Comparison between Mondeo and Passat?

I am contemplating changing from a 7 year period of owning Passats (present 55 plate 2.0 TDI SE) to a Ford Mondeo. What 58 - 59 plate models would you recommend as an alternative and what features would...