I thought I'd put this on here, as I've put it on a couple of other forums, but this place probably has a much wider spectrum of people so thought I might get some more alternatives.

Anyway, I'm currently running about in a 2.0 powered MK6 Escort that I bought cheap to use over summer. I had thought about keeping the car til the MOT runs out next spring, but I was keeping my options open. Anyway, now we're going to be coming to the end of summer soon, I'm thinking I might move the car on or break it, which ever will earn the most dollar.

It isn't a bad motor, but does need a few bits and I can't really be bothered to spend money on it, so a change might be in order. But now I've hit a massive problem, as what the hell would I replace it with?!

Criteria for a car is tricky. I've got a winter project that will eventually form my 'fun' car, so I want something that I could live with for a good while, not something I'll just want rid of within 3 months. Most of my driving tends to be on motorways these days, either back home to Norfolk from uni, or down to Essex where my better half resides. I don't do many miles locally, so in many ways, a diesel rep mobile would be very suitable. BUT, when I do drive for the sake of driving, I worry whether said diesel rep mobile would just piss me off. I've been looking at cars around the £1500 mark, maybe a touch more, but will consider cheaper stuff too.

Here's some of the stuff I've been considering...

MK3 Mondeo - love these cars, always have. Ideal world I guess would be a TDCI 130, probably in Ghia X trim, maybe even an estate. Pros are that it would be cheap to run, and great for the motorway blast with high equipment and comfort levels, in a relatively modern chassis. Downsides are that, although they handle well, would the diesel lump be a disappointment for a high-spirited Sunday afternoon blast or track session. TDCI issues bother me, but is the TDDI just a bit tractor-like? Seems in my budget, a lot are advertised as spares or repair or smokey and things, which concerns me with cars that claim to be in good order.

MK1 Focus - thought this was worth considering as it's a cheap car these days. Petrol models don't appeal, and the ST170 is stupidly overpriced, so that leaves diesels again. TDCI is top of budget, with reliability concerns in my bracket. TDDI isn't as good, but more affordable. Not sure here really. Good car, but same diesel fun concerns as the Mondeo, and they don't seem massively specced compared to the Mondy, even in Ghia form. I don't know, something doesn't appeal somehow.

MK4 Golf GTI 1.8T - not a VW fan, but these seem to be plummeting in price as they were a bit unloved by many. I don't really know much about them, so I'd be interested in pros and cons, and whether I'd get a decent one in budget? What sort of MPG do you get from them? As a turbo petrol is a bit different to a turbo diesel from that point of view. Would possibly be a good compromise between fun and a decent long-haul motor, but thirst worries me.

MK6 RS2000 - this is an outsider. Obviously an oldie compared to the competition, which means it would struggle in the comfort stakes, and insurance costs are probably the highest of the bunch. Buzzy on the motorway but a diesel box would fix that. Would keep me with my beloved blue oval, and I think they just have a great feel to them. The engine just has oodles of aggression and a raw feeling, which I've never found in another Escort. But obviously it could break a lot, is no refined cruiser, and is way out of date in this company. Like I said, an outsider.

Those are the main contenders I've thought of, but I am totally open to ideas, no matter how whacky they are.

I feel like I'm stuck in quite a rubbish price bracket; with nice diesels being a struggle, and little of interest in the 'compromise' area too. It seems that I'm stuck between levels somehow. Just above the usual sub-£1k suspects, but still below the slightly better stuff.

Err, help?!