My shortlist was at the time
Focus ST3 with mountune kit
S3
Scirocco GT
Leon Cupra K1
R32
Ed30
looked at an S3 but ive got a 2 year old and it had the Recaro buckets - there was no way the car seat would have got in the back as it was only a 3 door. Was a very nice motor and in the end my mate bought it for his wife!
Sciroccos were still a bit pricey at the time as there wasnt many used ones about
The K1 was very tempting but i already had the mk2 FR Leon so wanted a change and a better interior.
Focus was nice but couldnt find one in the spec i wanted - White/Black ST3 5 door with Climate and bluetooth!
Toyed with the idea of an R32 loved the sound of that V6 (Mate had two) but the £400 road tax and piss poor economy put me off.
looked at three edition 30's. A black 3 door which was minted but too pricey and had no options, A silver DSG 3 door - Rough s a bag of nails so walked away. Then Mine - 5 door silver, MFSW, RCD500, Highline, Armrest 12k on it. Saw it drove it and thought "Im bloody having this!!" SOLD!