£10k car options - best 'drivers' car

[georgefreeman]

Good evening,

So I'm going to try again with suggestions for my next car as I seem to have fallen out of love with my Golf R32.

I want to spend £10k and I would like the best 'drivers' car I can get for the money. it doesn't need to be the fastest thing, although preferably faster than my current R32.

I have no kids, and only a girlfriend to worry about chauffeuring around so it can be a sports coupe. I'd like it to be an event, whatever I choose. I love the sound of my R but it doesn't seem to be that special, after all it is just a Golf!

I travel 10 miles to work so efficiency isn't important.

Please hit me with some ideas.

[georgefreeman]

Thanks for the suggestions! Not sure I could live with a Westfield / caterham let alone the girlfriend.

E46 m3, dare I say it, just looks like a 3 series. I'd like something loud and shouty. It also seems that there are hardly any low ish mileage cars left that have not been fettled with.

Budget could be stretched to £15k....