VAG dervs are great.

I quite like the bora or the A4 but theyre high on budget.

Rover 45 is a good option, friend had one for ages!

otherwise Id be getting an 1800 zetec focus and a pair of 2l cams.... or just the Tddi, the derv focus I borrowed a couple of years back for a blat round northern Ireland was just awesome fun. Apparently wheel bearings are common failure and not cheap.