Dull grey box or...

[BigTrak79]

Budget is £8k - £10k, day to day use and 10k miles per year. Daily commute is 20 miles each way, mostly straight up the a11. I'd like something with a bit of zip, nothing outrageous, comfy and nice place to sit when inevitably stuck in traffic.
I thought golf gti but at that price they're either old or mega miles.
Scirocco? Focus? Leon fr? Incredibly dull looking mazda 3 but fairly new and actually seems nice on the inside? Stick with the current ever-living Signum that's currently full of carpet offcuts and walking boots but drives like an ocean liner on valium?
All opinions welcomed

[Strudul]

350Z will do all that

[AndrewGP]

MINI Cooper S? This one falls within budget and has the Chili and Media packs too.

[BigTrak79]

Not a bad shout, are they reasonably reliable/well built? I've heard they're a bit of a hoot to drive.

[ZX10R NIN]

You can get them in Grey but they're far from dull, my first pick would be a Megane RS with the Recaro's Cup Chassis & Lux Pack if you can find one:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

When it comes to Hot Hatches the Focus isn't quite as focused but it's still a very good steer & you get that cracking 5 pot one with some Mountune upgrades would be a bonus:

ST-3

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

370Z Great cars but you'll need to haggle to get one on budget:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2009-Nissan-370-Z-3-7-G...f:0

A leftfield but reliable solution would be a Alfa Giulietta Cloverleaf:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Z4 3.0i

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

3.2 Alfa Brera

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

2.2 Prodrive

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Audi S5

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

3.2 TT Exclusive Line

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Infiniti G37 Coupe

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

350Z

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[Nick-ST]

+1 for the Megane RS250.

Here is a nice example with the options that are pretty much must haves!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/254005747619