Which fuel should you choose for your next car?

If you want some comfort, a 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 2.1 C300 CDI Bluetec Hybrid is almost £19,000 with 40,000 miles. As a diesel and electric hybrid, it seems to address a couple of issues, such as frugality and emissions, but it might survive a bit longer in the real world than a conventional oil-burner.

One vehicle in the classifieds blows the whole petrol versus diesel debate apart: £250 – we’ve all got that down the back of the sofa–will secure a 1995 1.9 TD with a Citroën ZX Aura estate attached. Longish MOT and 112,000 miles. Buy that and annoy and confuse everyone, except your children or grandchildren.

What we almost bought this week: 

Vauxhall VXR8: It may not have a name to drop at fashionable dinner parties but this butch, eye-catching Vauxhall has supercar-shaming pace, and if its old-school approach makes it feel like it belongs in another world – or at least on another continent – such extravagance can now be put on your driveway for just £16k. You want sideways action, too? No problem.

Find a Vauxhall VXR8 on PistonHeads

Tales of Ruppert’s garage: 

Land Rover Series 3 - Mileage: 128,724:  You’d have thought that after spending a fairly substantial but quite reasonably documented sum on the Lorry’s restoration, the windscreen wipers would have been replaced. Surely, they would cost about a quid. Well, with my trade discount card, the tiny little things cost a measly £7.50. At the time of writing, I haven’t fitted them but am poised to. It will be dead easy.

I also bought a set of rather more expensive rubber bits for the Volkswagen Golf because, of course, modern cars have two different sizes. We will get on to that. Meanwhile, to be roadworthy, I’ll get on with the job.

Find Land Rovers for sale on PistonHeads

A-Z Bangerpedia - S is for Saab 9000: 

European co-operation at its best. The middle section can be found on less interesting Fiat Group cars, including the Lancia Thema, but the front, tail and engine belonged to the Swedes.

Very big, spacious and well equipped. Appealed to those too snobbish for a Ford Granada and too nice for an arrogant BMW.

Cheap examples may well need ruinous repairs. But you can still get a clean and tidy 1997 2.3 CSE for £1000. Be warned, though: prices are on the up.

Readers’ questions: 

Question: My father is 82 and wants to replace his elderly Toyota Yaris with a small and reliable car that has an auto ’box. Ideas? Emma Read, Bridlington

Answer: The archetypal car for this sort of work is the Honda Jazz. It’s reliable, compact outside and large and practical inside, and if he’s buying new, there’s the option of a CVT automatic gearbox. If he’s buying used, lots of them were specified with this ’box too.