How about a Kia Pro-Ceed (the 3 door "sporty" version).

The 1.6 CRDi is very reliable.

Chain cams

Probably no DPF at the OP's budget (Sept 2010 onwards only) but if it had they are not known for having issues.

No DMF ever.

Should have some manufacturers warranty left provided serviced correctly with receiptes etc.

In the OP's use it should do mid 50's easilly, ours did when the wife was commuting 20 miles each way. Take it a few mph slower and 60 mpg is easilly possible.

Leave it till next year you might just pick up a Citroen DS3 1.6 HDi in budget.

There's always the equivalent 207 1.6HDi sport, thats definately in budget.

You want full history with these, but with regular oil changes (annual or 10k) a good car.

If you're prepared to consider a petrol, the rare Yaris 1.8 SR would be my choice, that engine is economical enough in an Avensis.

Those are Sporty looking? Each to their own description. Too vague to help but run through Honest Johns car by car guide. Economy also means reliability as much as fuel consumption so factor that in. Korean name diesel with a long warranty as suggested above.

I think my Skoda Octavia Elegance with sport suspension ticks all your boxes.

I would be the first to admit that all the cars mentioned are simply hatches with a few tarty add ons, that does not make them sporty IMHO.

But the OP talked about Golfs, Focus , Seat in the first post so that is what the following posters have added to with similar cars the OP has possibly not considered.

If the OP wanted a truly sporty car he would need to consider a Mazda MX5, a BMW with a big 6 cylinder petrol engine or even a Porsche.

I think my Skoda Octavia Elegance with sport suspension ticks all your boxes.

That may well suit the OP but IMHO its far less sporty than the others mentioned since its a large family car and all the sport suspension will do is wreck the ride.

I have the 1.9 tdi but in Octavia format. Although it is actually quite quick, I wouldn't call it sporty. The 1.9 motor makes the nose of the car very heavy and it understeers when pushed, although in a safe, predictable manner. Our 1.6 petrol Focus by comparison, although not as torquey, will literally run rings around it on a demanding cross country route- 45mpg too.

Having said that, a Fabia VRS 130 I drove seemed very well set up and would be a very rapid, useful car if you like the looks.

I also liked the Golf GT tdi I borrowed last year, with the common rail engine. Very quick and a decent handler. Not sure of buying a used one though, with all the potential pitfalls of the modern diesel.

What about a Swift Sport---is that in budget? it's a petrol and Japanese, so probably reliable. Don't get hung up on diesel, fuel cost is just one aspect of ownership.

You might just about be able to find an 06 Honda Civic 2.2 CTDI Type S for that sort of money. Quick, economical and sporty, good grip and steering, not many cars can stay with a properly driven one on a country road if it's in reasonable nick - should not be difficult to achieve 40-45 mpg, has all the bells and whistles you are looking for. Just make sure that the clutch has been uprated for the later type as the earlier ones suffered slipping at 2000-2500 rpm in fith or sixth gear at max throttle.