Matthew's Journal

First thing is: if your usage pattern is going to be hauling big loads or going long distances, you'll almost certainly want a diesel. Personal/familial experience is that Peugeots are good, Renaults not as reliable as they could be, Citroens either decent or lemons depending on exactly when they rolled off the construction line, and that the Japanese are much better at making petrol engines. Depending on your budget, you might want to consider ex-demo and nearly-new vehicles where someone else has taken the "driving off the forecourt" cost hit.