Need advice on a new car

[mcscoobs]

Currently leasing a Skoda Octavia vRS diesel, the lease ends in June. Was considering leasing again, but I do 25-30k miles per year, so not really working out for me. When i first leased the Skoda, I was doing barely any mileage... circumstances changed, moved house and had to amend my mileage, pushing my lease costs to £330 a month.

Looking to spend around £5k/£150ish a month to buy something used. I currently have a 7 year old, an 18 month year old and a baby due in July (Yes, we clearly have no TV at home )

The size of the Skoda was ideal really, huge boot space, but i'm considering whether I can downsize? I want something thats going to "excite" me in a way, for the amount of miles I do, I don't want a boring old barge. Most my mileage is motorway miles, so maybe something that can get 35+mpg?

Car's I've looked at so far:
- Seat Leon Cupra R
- Golf GTi (2005/2006ish)
- Focus ST
- An older Octavia vRS (Petrol or diesel)
- Audi A4 Avant S Line
- BMW Touring (330D/530D) M Sport
- BMW 120d M Sport

Any other suggestions? Any arguments for/against the cars above? The missus has Focus EcoBoost, so neither of us would have big cars, but she wants me to get a standard Focus diesel because its cheap...

Thanks in advance!

[Zetec-S]

Personally I think you'll struggle to find a petrol hot hatch for £5k which will do 35+mpg, unless you drive it very carefully (in which case why bother getting a hot hatch).

As an alternative to the Audi or BMW's you've considered, how about a Mondeo (2.2 TDCi Titanium X Sport estate). I know it's a bit "bargey", but loads of kit for the money and a reasonable amount of poke (197bhp), 45mpg, plus it'll swallow all the crap you'll need to cart around with the 2 nippers

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

[mcscoobs]

Not a bad shout! Thanks for the heads up, will take a look...