Looks like you are aiming for a Golf V GTI...
However here are two other interesting cars in that bracket:
Less practical... but... I bought a 2008 MINI Cooper S JCW when I sold my WRX SL blob.
Now... the full-on factory JCW are rare (only 5 sold in Ireland in 2007 and 2008 together)... however, they are special.
A lot of fun... great presence... nice club... very economical (avg 36-37 mpg and 44mpg long runs)... with 218bhp in an 1200kg car with bigger Brembos the newage STI. (Note plenty of "JCW" MINIs advertised which only have a body kit, or exhaust rear box, or there is a 211bhp version which was a normal S upgraded at the dealer to JCW spec which are more common than real factory JCWs with 218bph). Great and reliable every day car for every day smiles -- only bad things: tiny micro sized boot space, and not great if you have a bad back as quite firm on bad roads.
A mate bought it after and ran it for 2 years and recently chopped it in against a Sirocco with the GTI engine and DSG.
He loves the rocco.... but... he misses the JCW every time he goes out for a drive... more character, better handling, pops and bangs as standard, the club... all things the Rocco doesn't have.
Another friend had a C30 T5 Volvo... another quirky car that can move and is well put together (and should be in your budget as is a 2.3 petrol in a small car so niche market).
