how come the Diesel Accord is a recommendation when other older diesels are a no no?

Lots of older Diesels are excellent, VW's PD for example and PSA's pre FAP.

Its the later fully electronic stuff thats a bit dubious especially when you chuck a DPF into the mix, Hondas 2.2 Diesel does have a very good reputation, Toyotas 2.2 Diesels are known for CHG problems though Toyota will honour problems up to 100k and 7 years IIRC so long as the car has a good preferably Toyota service history.

Your budget puts you into DPF territory in some higher mileage Diesels, probably best avoided...Mazda 6 if you read up is the shining example of a pigs breakfast.

Wasn't trying to persuade you into an LPG conversion, we run two LPG cars and are not looking to go back to petrol or Diesel ever if possible, but its not for everyone.

I've had a 2007 petrol Avensis estate for six months. It's 1.8VVTi 55k and was in your budget from a Toyota dealer.

I got it because, with a new family, I wanted the same things you want and it's great. The boot is massive, it's economy is decent, it's reliable and ridiculously comfortable on long trips. I considered a diesel one but petrol does the job - it'll sit at 80 no worries and there is enough power to keep up. Of course, you haven't got the dieselly torque, so for any sharp overtaking on A-roads, you might just, you know, change down a gear...it's not hard! But this car isn't for racing around in anyway - it's just a nice cruiser.

The little things make the difference: The rear doors open wide so it's easy to get the baby seat in, and there's so much leg room in the back, the front passenger seat can still be a good way back with the base unit and seat in. And I like the looks and the scarcity value round these parts - lots of Avensis, not many Avensis estates.

Why did I go for it over the others suggest above? Well, I like Toyotas for a start. Funnily enough there weren't many Mondeos about of comparable spec, age, mileage and petrol at the time but I did like them, ditto Mazda 6. I discounted the Octavia because so many of them did't have curtain airbags. Some people may snort at my "moddle-coddling" and argue "active safety" but that's just my consumer preference with cars.

Anyway, this may help, or it could be just me justifying my own purchase - good luck!

As you mentioned a family car, how about an s-max? 2.5T petrol is around that price at around 90k miles. Huge, nice to drive, very quick for a car of its size and makes a lovely noise when you give it some welly.

Fuel consumption is not horrendous (get about 28mpg on mine, mix of central london and motorway driving) and you have a lot of space and practicality. The boot is enormous and the rear seats slide to give more or less boot/leg room.

Had mine for a few months and im very pleased with it.