Yes, after much searching, I have finally found "the one" to replace the Golf. Just in time really, as my lease car was due to be returned at the same time! I got home Thursday, gave the Golf a wipe down and it had its final night on the drive with my faithful Clio 172 hack:

by https://www.flickr.com/photos/143473428@N02/, on Flickr

And then, on Friday morning, this happened:

by https://www.flickr.com/photos/143473428@N02/, on Flickr

by https://www.flickr.com/photos/143473428@N02/, on Flickr

It was a little bit sad, however, by Saturday afternoon, following a little drive to Lincoln, this had happened:

by https://www.flickr.com/photos/143473428@N02/, on Flickr

by https://www.flickr.com/photos/143473428@N02/, on Flickr

And making friends with the 172:

by https://www.flickr.com/photos/143473428@N02/, on Flickr

It's a 2013 RenaultSport Megane 265 with Cup chassis and leather Recaro seats, along with xenons, LED DRLs, keyless, black roof, RS Monitor, 19" wheels, RS gear knob and perhaps a couple of other things I haven't yet noticed. It's on 12k miles, having been a lease car in a previous life. There are a couple of things that I want to change; including getting rid of the crap Chinese rear tyres and having a couple of little marks sorted but, otherwise, I'm very happy with it.

Modifications-wise, I can't imagine much will happen, certainly not to begin with. A mid-box delete is likely as it unleashes a few more pops and bangs from the exhaust, and I would perhaps like a bit more induction noise, but I'm not sure how best to address that yet. A change to 18" wheels and a slight suspension drop may also happen, but we'll see about that.

Happy to have found one in the right spec though and it's certainly a much more involving drive than the Golf. Motoring hacks raved about these when they came out and I can see why so far, it seems really capable so far.