Since my last spec me, my criteria has changed a fair bit. I'm due to move back to England as the end of September and within 2-3 days after landing I'm going to need to buy a car for myself and a car for my wife., so need to start searching now.
The things that are needed for each are as follows:

My Car
- Fun to drive
- Fairly quick (Used to >3.0 cars out here, don't wanna get frustrated when going to over take)
- Reliable
- Reasonably economical (60 miles round trip to work everyday)
- Less than 10 years old preferably
- Cannot be too chavy (Has to give off a good impression at work)
- Must be manual

So far thought of a Corolla T-Sport (juicy, boring?) or a Focus ST170 (over-rated?)

Wife's Car
- Must have 5 doors and a good size boot for kid and stroller
- She loves gadgets so climate, cruise etc is a win
- Gotta look fairly modern and appealing to a blonde
- Has to be automatic (The yank-mobiles converted her)

Both cars must be around 3k to buy

Help me! I keep resorting to looking at 7 year old 1.6 meganes and lagunas

Mondeo 2.0 TDCI

Toyota Corolla

She isn't going to be doing hardly any miles so maybe the V6 + auto, would I pick up a decent one at that budget though?

I meant the mondeo for you.... that way you won't mind driving the wifes car :P

Not too sure about that one, my drive to work is all B-roads so I think driving a mondeo everyday might kill me with boredom

Trying to think slightly out of the box how economical are MX5 1.8i's?

not very on b roads I can assure you of that especially if your like me.

Volvo s60? Could be for either for you or the wife if either of you are not keen on mondeos....

For the wife....

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...1031365081322/

Good shout on the S60 but she said it looks like a grand dad car

1999 Accord Type R (would he high milage) 100k+ probably

For me? Worth a look...

I can't help but think for the money I could get a newer car that is lighter and more reliable like a Clio 182, however the ones at 3k look pretty ropey. Could stretch to 3.5 if needed for me

How about this for the wife: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi.../100?logcode=p

and this for me: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...ge/1?logcode=p

I was just thinking more of the length of time you will be spending in the car. I have a fair commute to work circa 100 miles a day and I like to sit in something comfy.

Fair point, I guess its a compromise of finding something comfy that will be fun to drive on the back roads. Pretty much some ups a BMW... though at this money its going to be a money pit right?

How about a Jaaaaaaaaggg for yourself? Not sure on reliability but isnt it just a mondeo underneath?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...1031365098548/

Can your wife not drive a manual? If so I'd buy her the sportier car and you just stick to the comfortable cruiser. You can borrow hers as and when you want to that way you won't rack up a massive fuel bill.

Wow never thought of one of them, and would certainly fit in the office car park. Might be a bit before my time though (I'm 25)

I'm guessing this will have the same 2.5 V6 from the ST24? My ST used to return around 24MPG which might be a little low for my commute ...

She can drive a manual yea, but she is going to be doing shopping runs and town driving in it whilst throwing a stroller and baby in the back. I kind of saw this as a good oppertunity to get her something big as the family car and a 3/2 door car for me to play with

For your fun car I'm thinking Clio 172. But 60 miles a day I'm not so sure about.....

I'm thinking the same about the Clio 172, also the reliability at that age could be a concern.

Talk me out of this: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...11uz?logcode=p

I still think the shape looks fantastic and with the right wheels they can look very good, however as I've seen Fox say the 323i will have the same running costs as a 330i? Also would it be worth looking at a 318i or is it just not worth it for this kind of car?