Help! Fun, practical-ish (second) car between £10k-£20k

[Overgeared]

Hi all,

I am hoping someone here would be kind enough to offer some advice on an appropriate commuter car for me. We currently have a RR Evoque, but I hope soon to be moving out of London and will need a second car to get to and from the train station each day and transport golf clubs at the weekend.

Having previously had a Cayman S, I instinctively thought this would be the perfect opportunity to get another sports car! However, the complicating (but very exciting!) factor is that my wife is currently expecting our first child (hence the Evoque...), and she has made the very valid point that, since we will probably be moving to a pretty rural location, it's not impossible that I'll sometimes need to use the 4x4 to commute if it snows etc.

So I'm therefore looking for suggestions for something fun to drive but that is also reasonably reliable and practical enough to carry a baby seat and shopping etc on the occasions my wife is left with the station car.

I've managed to come up with the completely obvious Golf GTI/R myself, but was wondering if anyone had any more inspired suggestions? Budget is up to £20k, and I'd prefer something no more than 2-3 years old though could move on this point.

Thanks in advance!

Edit: I've also had a Mini Cooper S which I loved, but my memory is that you'd really struggle to fit a baby seat in the back?

Edited by Overgeared on Thursday 19th April 12:20

[PJ S]

Lexus IS 250?
New model due next year, so I'd opt for one nearer the £10K level to reduce depreciation hit.

[GTRmad]

Mk 2 mazda3 mps amazing value for the standard level of equipment,and very rapid

[Bonefish Blues]

GTRmad said:

Mk 2 mazda3 mps amazing value for the standard level of equipment,and very rapid

Very good shout, plenty of change from OP's budget too.

[Overgeared]

Lexus IS250 eh? - superbly left-field suggestion, I tip my hat to you sir!
Possibly more practial than required and a little slow for me though.

[isee]

BMW 335I

[Snowboy]

Cabrio?
Look at a 1 series.

But, if it's being left at a station then perhaps something less of a target.

You might be better off going for a run of the mill VW Golf so it won’t be targeted in the train station.