Hi there. I'm about to start looking for cars to buy. I have a budget of around £10,000 but could possibly stretch to £12,000 - I'm not particulaly worried about new or used - but I would like something reasonably efficient to run, reasonably quick of the mark, and reliable.I'm thinking of super-mini territory but as I honestly have no knowledge about cars outside being able to drive one, I'd appreciate any sensible comments.Although the ridiculous comments are also appreciated if they're remotely funny!Cheers!!

How will you use your car? *Work use, personal use, or a combination*Weekend-only use or everyday use*Length and frequency of journeys - up and down the M1, or across Central London*Number/age of family, friends and colleagues to be transported

I drive a vauxhall that I bought 4 years ago for £4k and take home north of 6 figures. But then I am saving up for armageddon....

It all depends on the five forces of car-cash investment competition analysis, namely:(i)Bargaining power of Customers: the influence of your gf, friends, family members on the type, condition, brand, age of the car.(ii)Bargaining power of suppliers: the power of the car (new and second hand) dealers.(iii) Barriers to entry: the evolution and possibility of Star Trek transporter as well as barriers to purchase that include you budget(iv) Threats of substitues: threats from car-pooling, tube, bus, trains, airplane and bycle or your own feet(v) Rivalry of competition for cash: the rivalry for the use of the cash for other needs.

Andy, care to put that into a powerpoint presentation, accompanied by numerous colourful yet ultimately pointless pie-charts?!

For £12k i'd be looking to get a BMW 330 sport. It all depends on your criteria. Forget superminis. Don't waste that amount of money on something that'll provide such little driving pleasure. Although sold, something like this: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/136064.htmMy advice would be to sit down and to think about what you want out of a car. Test drive as many as possible, but I would say stick to German or Japanese cars only (Merc, Audi, BMW, Toyota, Honda & Lexus). I've driven most of these cars, and to be honest it really depends on what car you 'feel' the most.