Can I do better for £4k or less?

[OMNIO]

Been looking for a car to buy in a few months time.
It will used around town mainly but want a quiet comfy motorway cruiser as I do 300 mile round trips occasionally.

I have been eyeing up a few 2004 - 2006 reg Saab 9-3 Aeros as they seem good value for money and not too bad on insurance for a 210bhp car. I have read an encouraging review on the Saab sub-forum as well.

Is there anything out there I should be considering?

The basic criteria is;
Comfy
Quiet on the motorway at normal motorway speeds and not revving its nuts off at 80mph
Fairly frugal…. Mileage won't be huge but mid to high 20s round town and mid to high 30s on a runs would've nice
Reasonable insurance
Reliable.
Manual

I have looked at bmws in that price range but milages are galactic. Cars with similar performance are also a lot more to insure. Not really after an Audi as I currently drive one and fancy a change.

[OMNIO]

Bonefish Blues said:

Why not get a 9-5 Aero instead as you're already looking at Saabs?

Thanks for the suggestions so far guys. I'll get some quotes when I get home.

Not going for a 9-5 as I don't want / need a car that big. Our drive is pretty narrow and parking on street is fairly limited.

I should probably add that I'm 23 and need to speak with insurers to find out if they take my ncb earned as a named driver into account. I'm basing insurance on 0 ncb at the moment but I have 5 years as a named driver.