What should I replace my Toyota Verso with?

What should I replace my Toyota Verso with? I have a 2006 model with 130,000 kilometres on the clock. I no longer need a seven-seater and I want a car that can be used for both commuting (50km a day) and family (two kids). My budget is €6k on top of my existing car. What is your recommendation?

Thanks in advance, Rao

Srinivas Rao (Dublin)

Apr 2014 Filed under: choosing used car

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Expert answer

Hi Rao,

At a rough guess that should give you a budget of between €10,000 and €12,000, which is healthy enough. If you've been a Toyota owner in the past I'm assuming you want to stick with something that'll be reliable so my first suggestion is an Auris hatchback. They're spacious inside, so pass the two kids test with ease and the 1.33-litre petrol version should be economical enough for your commuting style. 

Also consider a Honda Civic. If anything, Hondas tend to be even better built than Toyotas and while the Civic's avant-garde styling may be a bit of an acquired taste, its spacious and practical cabin is a boon for family life. A 2.2-litre diesel may sound like overkill but it's a terrific engine and has low emissions and therefore is cheap to tax. 

Finally, if you want something with a bit more space, how about a Kia cee'd SW estate? Reliably solid, and with that seven-year warranty, pleasant to drive and the estate version has a massive boot.

Let us know how you get on

Neil Briscoe - Complete Car Adviser
@neilmbriscoe