reliable budget car 2-4k

tiger135

i have a 2008 corsa 1.2 16v worth a grand or so, been reliable and cheap to run. 
wondering what to get next, maybe some time next year. 
part of me likes cheap to run but another part of me likes a bigger petrol engine such as a golf or focus 1.6-2.0. i know bigger engines can still be economical as long as you arent revving them so hard. 
i am not interested in 3 cylinders / turbos or diesels. 
i like seat's designs, so maybe ibiza?
but i also have always liked golf's and audi's (a3/a4).
kind of happy to pay for slightly higher running costs if the actual car cost is lower to begin with.
any recommendations welcomed.

fatbelly

None of the cars you mention are more than averagely reliable. I'm not sure that 4k is going to get you a good specimen of any of them.

The Ibiza is a smaller size supermini like Polo/Fabia. If you are happy with that you may be able to get one with 4 cylinders (not sure what you don't like about 3 cylinders). Maybe something like this one.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312034510433

If you want reliability and are happy with a supermini, then a Yaris is probably the way to go. Or Suzuki Swift

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305117272322
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310273391077