Mazda 2 (the Fiesta sized one)

You could get a decent Renault Mégane for that - ours was horrid to work on, but cheap in most respects (£30 tax, 50-odd mpg), comfortable and drove pretty well.

Bought the missus a 2005 Mazda 3 for £2300 in August this year. Good little car in 1.6 petrol form and she regularly gets 40mpg out of it. Go for a 'TS2' model if possible to get a few extra toys.

I bought a 2007 Ford Focus 1.8 Diesel Zetec 5-door for £2500 in July. Get's 50mpg. I've done + 10K miles since purchase and only cost has been a replacement turbo hose for £30. Very nice drive, feels very solid. Mine is metallic grey Zetec model with a few nice extras (Black Headlamps, Front Fogs, Alloys, Rear Spoiler). Honestly can't fault it.

I had one of those before the Mazda and it was utter rubbish!
Constant problems with it and never did more than 40 mpg even on a run. All I can say is don't buy ex-lease cars.....

Fiat panda?

The pick of the bunch is the 1.4 16v Panda 100hp. It's a nice looking car and gets glowing reviews.

Panda 100hp

Panda. All variants are good in their own way, be it the 100bhp model for a bit of poke, or the 1.1 model for cheap insurance (group 1!), All drive well and have laid out dashboards.
Polo (1.2 engine model)
Honda Jazz.
New shape Fiesta.

Alfa 147s are probably below your budget, but a late model TS should knock out 40 mpg and go on to a high mileage.

I was going to say 147 too! Trouble will be making sure it's reliable, maybe go for the 1.6TS

Another vote for the 147, my username shows my affection for this car!

Get her a GTA

GTA fails on pretty much every count though...

My wife has a Fiat Panda 100hp. Had it about 2 years and is totally smitten with it. Well screwed together, fun to drive and reliable. Oh, and very good on petrol.

If a Pander is in the 'viewing pot' how about a Mini Cooper S, if you get one with panoramic roof - it would be a 3.5 door

Wife gets our two boys a two bulldogs in it !

1.5 DCI Clio. Very cheap in all respects, ticks all the boxes and is a very girly car.

the end.

I'm not sure I'd class a Diesel Clio a girly car. Tightwads car maybe, Petrol 1.2 maybe, but not that one

I quite like the look of those 100hp Panda's. Not for me of course …. the wife! No offence Sam

Right now, I'd even enjoy a Kia Picanto. Not a Land Rover though...

Sam's vintage Pandas are of the 10hp variety though

All clios are girl's cars, look at the marketing!
Corsa / fiesta aimed at boys Clio / 106 for girls!
Rallye might be an exception to the rule.

I've just added this to the "fleet" for bang on your budget.
Jan 2008, 60,000 miles, FSH, Sky-dome roof, ESP, factory sub woofer and additional speakers/tweeters, ipod connectivity and "Panda-van" roof rails

Just had Roger at Poweritalia do the full monty belts and waterpump. Good fun and feels well put together.

Remember though they are only a four seater (4x belts) - 3 in the back would be intimate

That looks nice!
Very similar colour to the wife's boo!

Now I like that! How does 60k feel on it though? Is it still fresh (I suppose it should after a service!)

Thanks.

Yes she feels fine - I think she's been reasonably well looked after (FSH) and no real signs of that sort of mileage inside or out - apart from some minor delamination on the top of the steering wheel and a couple of small splits in the seam of the cheap vinyl/leatherette gear stick gaitor - both easily sorted and haggling points I looked at a couple of late 30kers that had the same. Didn't see one with as many factory options though.