Help me choose a car I have no idea

FlorayG

For the last ten years I've been driving a 2003 Land Rover Defender and prior to that had no spare money so drove old bangers. I've never owned a car less than 12 years old so clearly I know bu&&er all about modern cars but now I think it's time to pass on the Defender to another enthusiast and buy a 'normal' car and I haven't a clue what I'm looking for
Here are my criteria;
I don't want something that couldn't pull the skin off a rice pudding so I guess I'm looking at 1300- 1600cc
Lots of short journeys so petrol, but economical on fuel and comfortable for the occasional 200 mile trip
Load space essential so a small estate or a decent hatchback; I  very rarely have more than one passenger so I'm happy to leave the back seat folded down in a hatchback
Reputation for reliability and not horribly expensive parts essential  I could really do with it not being in the garage every couple of months although I realise the reason my current motor does that to me is because parts are just wearing out
And here's the clincher; I can't cope with a boring car, I've had a couple while trying to be 'sensible' and hated them. For context, the best car I ever had prior to this one was a Honda MC2 Aerodeck 
Suggest some cars I might consider and also please what's the least I should be paying these days to get a decent car that will last me several years? I'd like to spend no more than £5k but is that a reasonable expectation? I can afford more if I have to 

Iceweasel

Have a look at Ṣ̌koda.
Volkswagen reliability at much less cost.
Fabia or Octavia.

FlorayG

Iceweasel said:

Have a look at Ṣ̌koda.
Volkswagen reliability at much less cost.
Fabia or Octavia.

That's one of the 'sensible' cars I bought once and hated so much I sold it on cheap

Iceweasel

I think they may have improved somewhat in the 10 years you've been driving a Defender. 😄

FlorayG

Iceweasel said:

I think they may have improved somewhat in the 10 years you've been driving a Defender. 😄

They're still boring

WellKnownSid

Random thought.  Volvo V60.  Big enough load, lots of comfort, the 2 litre 5 cylinder diesel is a decent 163hp but will give you 50+ mpg, Geartronic box made by the same people that make Toyota automatics, Ford parts bin (rear brakes are from a Galaxy), cheap insurance.

FlorayG

WellKnownSid said:

Random thought.  Volvo V60.  Big enough load, lots of comfort, the 2 litre 5 cylinder diesel is a decent 163hp but will give you 50+ mpg, Geartronic box made by the same people that make Toyota automatics, Ford parts bin (rear brakes are from a Galaxy), cheap insurance.

I've had a look, that might well do, but it's  big vehicle, would I need the 2l would the 1600 be underpowered?

WellKnownSid

The 1600 is just a bog standard four cylinder... there are certainly a lot more of them around - maybe try both?

The 1600 is 270Nm of torque vs the two litre which is 400Nm... goes like a train once it gets going.  Our 20 y/o has had one for a couple of years, absolutely loves it - bought at 95,000 miles now close to 120k.  Insurance is cheap for him because boy racers don't drive around in Volvo estates.

Goudy

For £5k, buy the best Golf GTi you can.

Northern_Wanderer

Honda Jazz SE/ EX trim or ES on older ones (1.4L) , if you have more pennies a Jazz Sport 2018-20 (1.5L 130BHP) Jazz is known as a Tardis. Look at the Magic Seats, some older Civics had them. Avoid any with rust. Honda reliability....Jazz can be fun if you know how to work the gears

£5k isn't a lot

Seat Arona has decent space, same engine as Seat Ibiza but look at FR trim upwards for decent BHP.

FlorayG

Northern_Wanderer said:

Honda Jazz SE/ EX trim or ES on older ones (1.4L) , if you have more pennies a Jazz Sport 2018-20 (1.5L 130BHP) Jazz is known as a Tardis. Look at the Magic Seats, some older Civics had them. Avoid any with rust. Honda reliability....Jazz can be fun if you know how to work the gears

£5k isn't a lot

Seat Arona has decent space, same engine as Seat Ibiza but look at FR trim upwards for decent BHP.

Hm nice... V-Tec as well. I might got to £7k for one of those, thanks