I always owned Fords prior to LR ownership then went back to Ford and had a Fez ST before getting into a Golf. I certainly appreciate the German build quality (not necessarily meaning reliability!) and it feels so solid.

If I were in the market for a new car right now, in the high 20k low 30k price bracket, I would be looking at the executive saloon market. My test drives would be:

BMW 3 Series
Audi A4
Merc C-Class
Jaguar XE

I have always liked Beemers but for me, it has to be a RWD model (winter tyres a necessity!). If I want a big 4x4 it'll be Land Rover or at a push a Toyota Land Cruiser. If I want 4WD in an executive car, Audi Quattro.

The Merc has the finest interior but I do like the look of the Jag now they have moved away from the old man image. LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

Scrub the bottom two off your list and you will not go far wrong. Don't overlook the 5 series as well , often there are deals at 3 series money. 2009 GS Auto Zermatt Silver - Sold June 21 after 10 years of ownership

2016 Subaru Outback SE 2.0 diesel SE Premium Lineartronic Sold 2024 after 8 years and 80k miles . Best Car I ever owned !

2023 Toyota Hilux invincible X 2.8 Auto .

Dropped into a Ford dealer yesterday to have a very quick look at a Kuga and an Edge in the showroom. Edge looks bigger than a FL2 but nice inside. The young salesman was saying how it's got keyless entry, iphone connectivity and that the kick plates on the doors light up with "Edge" in blue light. When I asked him what engine sizes, does it have a centre diff lock, how many speed auto etc he was totally stumped. It actually says something about what young people are interested in when it comes to cars.

I came away with the brochures. 3 x FL1 2 manual + 1 auto
5 x FL2 4 manual + 1 auto
Now Discovery Sport P250 MHEV SE

Have a look at this

 21MY Defender 90 S 3.0 D200

Does it have a toilet onboard for all that water one has to drink? Or do you simply use the wheel! Procrastination, mankind's greatest labour saving device!

Acoustic insulation ARB TPMS 3xARB air compressors After cooler Air tank On-board OCD pressure air/water cleaning Additional 50L fuel Carpet in doors ABE 2x1kg Waeco 28L modified fridge Battery 4x26ah Solar 120w Victron MPPT 100/20 DC-DC 18amps 175amp jumper plug Awning 6x255/60R18

MartynB wrote:

Scrub the bottom two off your list and you will not go far wrong. Don't overlook the 5 series as well , often there are deals at 3 series money.

dorsetfreelander wrote:

The young salesman was saying how it's got keyless entry, iphone connectivity and that the kick plates on the doors light up with "Edge" in blue light. When I asked him what engine sizes, does it have a centre diff lock, how many speed auto etc he was totally stumped. It actually says something about what young people are interested in when it comes to cars.

That made me smile!!

MartynB wrote:

Scrub the bottom two off your list and you will not go far wrong. Don't overlook the 5 series as well , often there are deals at 3 series money.

I've been driving for a little over 35 years and I've yet to understand the attraction of expensive, cramped, boringly conventional, hard riding, under equipped, 4 door German compact saloons Where is the attraction?!