Hi oxnop yes the gti seams like the best comprimise would be looking at a mk5 as well. The st gives you a lot of car for your money but looks a bit boy racer and drinks heavily. What sort of real world mpg are you getting?
Offroading bit to far for me unless its a bargin….
edit
no policy as such but comon sense should be applied, tbh I could probably use my current 02 astra if I took the dents out , made sure it started everytime and somehow managed to remove 3 years of dog hair, mud , grease and climbing chalk from it. I am gonna keep it as the dirty job van as it makes a builders van look clean.
Oh and i am 27 so style still applies and i will be paying the insurance servicing etc