New(ish) car advice please!

[CLK320]

Hi all,
I have a V-reg Merc CLK 320. I generally use the car to commute 21mi total each day, with the occasional work trip of up to 100mi in a day.

It's never ever broken down ever (bought from my old man 2 years ago), is generally fairly cheap to service and the only thing wrong with it at the moment is a little rust on the arches. It's also fairly quick (Parkers.com quotes a 0-60 of 7.2) and it's very comfortable.

Despite all this, I'm getting itchy feet and fancy something new, for the following reasons:
1. My best mate will give me 3k for it, which is pretty high, as he knows its entire service history;
2. I miss having a manual 'box on country lanes (but love having auto when I commute);
3. Apart from the 0-60, it's a very dull car to drive and has hilarious body roll. Brakes are very good however;
4. THE MAIN REASON: It returns 30mpg at best over a tank, and that's with me 'hypermiling'. Due mostly to the short commutes I do.
5. I recently went to the 'ring with a E46 M3 and a very quick driver. We had difficulty in passing a new Skoda Fabia vRS for a few corners - it eventually got overtaken on a straight, but it made me think: "These things get 45mpg and can worry an M3".

However, I can't have a new vRS as I need to save for a house.
I'm looking to spend no more than 8k (including the 3k from my CLK).
Here's the main things I'd like in a new car (which the Skoda generally does - such shame I'm poor!):
1. Similar performance (up to 7.5sec 0-60);
2. Good MPG (over 40 ideally);
3. Auto 'box with manual paddles, ideally (e.g. DSG);
4. Lower insurance than current (the Merc is grp 37 under the new groupings - costs me £1100 a year);
5. Depreciation I can stomach.
6. Reliability (or slight reliability issues, but cheap bills to fix).

I'm thinking the Golf GTI (05-08) with DSG is the best all-rounder for my needs - there's lots on autotrader for around 8k. Any other suggestions welcome!

[Synchromesh]

The new Fabia VRS with the DSG is petrol 1.4 TSI (180bhp) and, although very economical for a petrol, way above budget.

The previous generation was the 1.9 TDi. 130bhp standard and an easy 170 bhp with a remap, while still retaining (or even improving) the MPG. It only comes with manual though

Here is a really nice low mileage example for within your budget.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

ETA: Couldn't get link to work

Edited by Synchromesh on Saturday 4th June 22:45

[CLK320]

Thanks, but really the only Diesel I'd be interested in would be a Bwm 335d!
My M3-driving friend's mechanic says, and I quote, "Diesels keep me in business" - I think I'd need to be doing over 10k miles a year to make it worth getting a diesel.