Why is this so hard?

[mhocking]

I appreciate supply is short, prices are high so its a sellers market. I'm trying to spend around £7-9k (which I know is not much) for a second car for me to occasionally commute in once or twice a week. The rest of the time we'll use the other car. I wanted an auto, toys, big(ish) petrol don't mind age as long as it's been cared for, good history etc.

I'd plumped on a Lexus RX400h - honestly there is so much tat out there, dealers who don't ring you back when you leave a message etc, people advertising on facebook who can't string a sentence together in their ads (ebay is slightly better with gumtree somewhere between the two), "Drives perfect" etc. Have I missed anywhere else where I should be looking?

I'm either going to have to change my search and perhaps go hatch or estate or I am tempted by the V8 X5s but everything you read hints at huge bork potential, that's if you can even find a semi decent one to start with. I don't mind paying to keep it well looked after, I just don't want the anxiety of a massive bill around every corner (hence the Lexus option).

Am I excluding other options?

[steveo3002]

is hardwork....theres 20 dodgy cars for sale for every 1 decent one ....the good ones get snapped up instantly and youre left to sift through the dregs