We're looking for a replacement 5-door hatch in the Focus/Astra/Golf sector. Most manufacturers seem to have neglected the petrol models at the expense of diesel development, and now petrol models seem no more powerful than they were ten years ago. There appears to be little between sluggish 1.6 petrol engines and thirsty/high-tax 2 litre models. The VW 1.4TSi looks promising - if you can find one. Ideally I'd like something that isn't going to be tedious to drive, but don't want the expense of a hot hatch. I'm wary of diesels and only drive 10,000 miles pa anyway. Is there some sort of compromise model where the running costs (£175 tax, 40mpg) will match my scrappage-eligible Rover 216 (0-60 in 10sec, but noisy on the motorway). We normally buy our cars at one year old and keep them for the remaining economic life. I have a budget of £12k - plus the Rover's scrappage allowance if a new car is worth buying.