New car advice - £9k budget

[JohnnyRingo]

I’m looking for some sage advice on a new car. I’ve got a budget of up to £9,000 (ideally I’d spend nearer £8-£8.5).

The car is to be used for:

• Commuting to work (50 miles a day, so need half decent fuel economy)
• The odd trip away at the weekend
• Golfing (although been getting my bag in a Mini at the moment, so not too worried about this!)
• 4 seats required (but not very often, so doesn’t have to be hugely spacious)

I’ve been considering lots of obvious options, including:

• VW Golf
• Audi A3/A4
• BMW 1/3
• Alfa Mito
• Nissan Qashqai

Any more suggestions? What do you reckon to the above? What models/engines would be the best picks?

Cheers for any and all advice!

JR