Help is needed, other half currently has a 2001 fester Zetec S...bought as a non runner and fitted the SE engine, new rear bushes, nice little back box and clean as interior!

The car is a great runner. Great mpg and a go kart on the back roads.

Unfortunately a "newer" car is wanted and my idea is to combine 2 birds with 2 stone a newer, more spacious car with the ability to barnstorm the backdoors of most things when i use it on a weekend!

Problem is a sierra Cosworth wouldnt be aloud near the house and a Civic Type R has some holes in the seats...were talking seriously picky!!

Mondeo ST/Vectra GSI are my current thoughts but maybe not quite hard enough...

any thoughts welcome guys. Looking at 4k budget, and a diesel is a no go, noise and power delivery is no good for a fun drive!