£3k to spend - petrol or diesel?

[StefV]

One thing I would suggest is to take one of your target cars on a long test drive before you commit.
I moved from a 9000 Aero to a Mk5 Golf, brand new, 2 years ago (not by choice, moved to another continent and needed a car)
That's when I realised how supremely confy a 9k is on a long drive. Although the Golf is fine around town or for short trips, it is a right pain on anything longer than 1-2 hours. I should know, I just drove 7 hours in it 2 days ago, and I really want to go out and swap it for some confy barge.
Several of your choices seem like fun or economical cars, but they'll probably make you regret you got rid of the Saab for 15 out of these 16k miles...