Now there will be naysayers out there who'd call DiS users a bunch of cardigan-wearers who'd faint at the sight of an internal combustion engine.

Alternatively, these same naysayers might suggest Dissers would rush to recommend the model T Ford as they prefer the automobile industry's earlier work.

I will have NO TRUCK with such scepticism. For the first time in my adult life I need to buy a car of my own. Requirements:

-I'm 6ft2 and have size 12 feet so it needs to be large enough not to be too cramped and for my feet to overlap on the pedals (I'm looking at you Fiat Panda).

-It needs to be relatively economical. I have a 50 mile round trip every working day (ouch).

-It doesn't need to be particuarly powerful or boy racery. I'll be doing 50 miles of single track country lanes in it.

-Doesn't need to be massively capacious, mostly it'll just be me, or me and a colleague commuting in it (the wife's car does all the child seats, luggage space etc).

-It needs to be relatively reliable.

I no nothing at all about choosing a car. I was thinking of maybe leasing one, dunno, but there seem to be a lot of different flavours and varities, no idea where to start.

Thoughts?