You don't give any indication of your expected mileage, which is a big factor in whether to choose petrol or diesel. Basically anything under 15k pa, go petrol. Answer that first and maybe you'll get some more incisive help.

If a decent petrol saloon will fit the bill then you could do far worse than find a Honda Accord, Toyota Avensis or Mazda 6 (avoid Mazda Diesels like the plague).

If you've got hooked on total Far Eastern reliability and want a bargain then a Hyundai Sonata or Kia Magentis would be good and good value, lots of car buyers here looked down their noses at these makes till they suddenly became fashionable with the Huyndai 'i' range etc.

I'd add something like a 2009 Mondeo 2 litre petrol to the three Japanese suggestions from gb. Great on the motorway (avoid the Zetec wheel/suspension) and good fun off the motorway, bags of space. The Toyota Avensis petrols have a good reputation for decent economy.

Right then - am off in search of an Avensis or even a Qashqai which 'the Commander in Chief' has favoured by throwing a passing glance in its general direction..

Thank you so much for these suggestions and pointers. Hope I found a good 'un.