Out of all the car mentioned above, only one has a proper engine, the ageing Saab, unless you're going into serious hot hatch territory (Civic -R) and then you get concrete springs and £250 a corner tyres, you're testing shopping trolleys, and trolleys and fun do not go together.

I'm sorry but Avants suggestion of Focus being best to drive has not been my experience at all, underwhelming sums up every Ford i've driven in the last 10 years and i cannot but wonder what all the fuss is about, save the sporty versions but then you're still saddled with the claustrophobic Focus interior...though this is a personal thing, you may like the interior.

Fun and enjoyable driving means different things to different people, but the basic requirement is an engine large enough to power the car easily, or designed as in VTEC Hondas to be revved really high to get the power out...something i dislike doing, prefer CCs and torque to high revving bhp figures, and a gearbox whether auto or manual fit for all purposes and made to last.

If you want ultimate handling, then its either a fast 2WD which is more than likely to have hard suspension, or go left field onto Subarus (avoiding STi re stiff susp).

For a reasonable sized car you've got to go 2.0 litre at least if naturally aspirated and preferably higher, there is nothing more saddening/infuriating/disappointing/frustrating than a car that wouldn't pull you out of bed.

On the other hand, is there any driving pleasure to be gained in the overpopulated mass of the country any more, save at unearthly hours.

Edited by gordonbennet on 13/02/2016 at 10:03

"Fun and enjoyable driving means different things to different people, but the basic requirement is an engine large enough to power the car easily, or designed as in VTEC Hondas to be revved really high to get the power out..."

Yes,you are right enjoyable can mean different things to differnet people.

I like the idea of reving the car and going through the gears, being good around corners. A car which does not get you 'tired' when driving it. But I also want a comfortable ride, when I not feeling like a boy racer and more feel like driving like grandpa.

I don't necessarily need a sports car.

My first car was (don't laugh) Nissan Sunny 1.3L - 1987. I only got it as my driver instructer had it and it was familiar, but the car grew with me and even though it was a 1.3L, it had a lively engine, was good round corners, great in the city and fun to drive.

Cyd suggests a Saab. My dad had a Saab 9000 CSE 2.3 Turbo, whilst it had great acceleration and could do 0-60 in 7.5 seconds, the acceleration was thrilling, but it was not as fun to drive. It felt a bit like cheating and missed going through the gears. It felt a big car.

Annual mileage :

6,000 Mostly short trips, city driving and A road. I want a car which is going to motivate me to drive to the Lake District or Scotland. Hence low mileage!

How often per year will you need (and how much [weight and/or size] will be carried) will you need the 'load lugging' capability;

It varies, but it is something I could sacrifice, as I could borrow my dad's Zafira. But a great boot woult be an asset.

Types of area you live/mainly drive in (actual city, suburban town, rural town);

I live in London, so a need a car to weave in and out of traffic. But also one which is going to motivate me to drive to Scotland, without getting tired on the roads or long journeys....

My ideal budget is around £8k used, but could stretch to £12k.

Edited by Warning on 13/02/2016 at 17:26