Mazda 6, Insignia, Passat??

You'll do well to get any of the above in petrol, in fact pretty difficult to get any sort of decent car in petrol as everything since 2008 has been diesel with the CO2 tax change.

I was thinking of changing my 2007 2.0 petrol Volvo last year and the choice of replacements was non existent so holding it for another year or more given the poor choice and value in 2nd hand market. At the time I was thinking of Lexus IS300h, Lexus GS350h and then Merc C350e (likely estate as saloon had quite a small boot with the onboard battery) with similar year and budget as you.

The first generation Insignia was not a very reliable car. They also were popular as rep mobiles and rental cars because Opel offered large fleet discounts on them. Dirt cheap Vauxhall imports from the UK didn't help either. The current generation is bit of a damp squib like many Opels in that it's an underwhelming package.

But if you are doing a lot of short journeys then buying a diesel isn't a good idea. While petrol is rare in this class of car there are a few of them out there. I'd certainly be avoiding a Mazda6 diesel anyway as they are a lottery around reliability.

With your mileage I'd be looking at something like this:

https://www.carsireland.ie/2929346

It's a Japanese import but I wouldn't let that put you off. They are generally higher spec and not very dissimilar to what was sold in Europe.

I’d give one of these a look

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/lexus-is-2015/29992004

You’ll love the Insignia so 😂

As I say to anyone in here looking at a Mazda 6 Diesel…….. run away from them, very quickly!

I’d give the Mondeo a vote though.

How about something a little smaller but still very nice a Mazda 3,

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/mazda-3-executive-se-1-5p-100ps-rear-parking/29821918

They are a lovely car. Not sure they are available in petrol do. The brother has a 2013 diesel one. Very comfortable to ride in and handles great too

I absolutely loved my red 2.2. skyactive Mazda 6 diesel.

also, to this day, anytime I see one on the road, I look to the sky, and thank god that I moved it on before it gave any more trouble.