Dying car - need a replacement!

[Pickers]

Well after all that palava last year, the Clio I found myself purchasing has started to turn into a money pit, and the garages advice: "get shot of it before it becomes a problem for you, and for us".

Last Novemember the ABS played up and would fire whenever the brakes were applied. I took it to my friendly trusted garage, who looked at it and found a broken ring (used as part of the sensor to measure the rate of spin of the wheel). To sort it required a whole new driveshaft (apparently) so I decided what the hell - do a full service whilst you are there. £550 and one week later, the car felt like it was misfiring and kangarooing under acceleration (as if it was it too high a gear and was struggling, despite being in 1st / 2nd at 10-20 mph).
Eventually (owing to work commitments) I got it back to the garage and they changed the plugs (again) and all was fine for another week, until the problem re-emerged and grew to epic proportions. Just in time for MOT, so I got them to check plugs again during MOT - they couldnt find the problem. HOWEVER, the car failed MOT on (of all things) the rear centre seatbelt (you know, the one that NEVER gets used?), Reg plate bulb blown and corroded rubber on the boot (CV joint boot).
Replaced and put through MOT fo the princely sum of £250.

One week later, the ABS problem comes back. I drop it back to the garage, they replace the sensor under warrenty, and in the process the rear brake shoes fall to pieces. Another £70.

SO

Im looking for a car, at the same time as scraping together house deposit... I may JUST be able to stretch to £2k + trade in value of the clio. OR I could dip into reserve funds for more cash to get what (for the second time) I would hope to be a reliable car and last for years. I could go private sale, but with the Clio as it is, Id be worried of angry purchasers tracking me down demanding money back or even the fact that I could be selling someone a eath trap.

Basically, I'd love a Golf TDi, which I'm assured is good fuel economy. I need advice though really guys...


Im petrified of getting another car that falls apart or requires a dealer to read the diagnostics on the computer. My old old old fiesta, I could sort most things with a tool kit, but these new cars requires specialisms I cant achieve meaning when things go wrong, I have to pass it to mister garage handy man.