New car ideas

[Dr. Z]

If you like the clio size but want more power, have you considered a valver? Maybe even a ratty Williams

On a more serious note - the early focus is a great buy s/h but you will need to slightly increase your budget to get one thats got the stuff you want / is in good nick. The problem with the focus and cars like it is they hold their value extremely well compared to cars a size up like the mondeo and the vectra so you either get an older car for your money or one thats not in as good a condition.

Other cars to consider are cars like the Rover 200 series (bubble shape) diesels. Absolutely stupidly cheap to buy and cost next to nothing to run but still have some go.

There are loads of cars out there that more or less fit your requirements but £2k is a strange amount of money in the world of cars - too much money for whats available at that price (ie lots of things are overpriced) but not enough money to buy something thats really great (if you want a small car).