Thanks guys, in all honesty don't think I'll even start my search until next year as there are quite a lot of things which are going to pummel my finances this year (wedding in november!). But it's always good to get as much prep in as I did have a couple of disasters rushing into buying previous cars. Just hope I don't get jacked by my current car, it's got quite a lot of systems so "more to go wrong" as they say.
Scubanesh, nothing can be more annoying than my MG ZT (it was a V6 so no HGF trouble - inbeforetheusualposts! hehe) but chocolate cluches and thermostats get on your wick after a while. Though if anyone gets a chance to drive one they are surprisingly good steer for such a large car so do try one, just don't ever own one... ever...!
Will spend some time reading on here before asking questions :) Would be good if anyone is local to me fancy's going to the pub/drive one day so I can get some first hand experience.
Tom