What car to choose next?

[Tigerpit]

My Golf has died so I need to buy myself some new wheels. I'll be buying second hand, and there's so much in my budget (£6k max).

Requirements:
Small to medium sized hatchback, manual gearbox. I can live without fancy techy bits, I just need something reliable, sturdy and relatively cheap to run, tax and insure.

I'm overwhelmed by how many cars fit into these criteria, so would love personal recommendations, even if they're "avoid at all costs".

I have a Honda civic and absolutely love it! The boot has the option to fold back a hatch to make it bigger and the back seats lift all the way up so I can get DS's bike in the car. It's not as cheap to run as my old car (A little old hyundai amica) but it's so much more functional that I don't mind paying a little extra and is cheaper than my old Picasso was. It's really lovely to drive too. I'd really recommend it.

Civic. All day long. Or Auris.

Civic. All day long. Or Auris

Can’t say fairer than that! Maybe take a look at the i40 and Focus as well. Civic would be top of my list for sure.

Kia Rio?

Thank you, all! I like the look of the Civic and will check out the others mentioned, see what I can get second hand in my budget.

The Citroen DS3 caught my eye as well. I'm going to be doing a lot of sitting in cars this weekend....once I've got over the distress caused by seeing my beloved 18 year old golf on the truck to the scrapyard.

I can't speak for the DS3 so might be worth googling reviews for that but the reason I got rid of my Picasso is that it became a money pit. It was ALWAYS breaking and I ended up spending double what the car had cost over various issues in the space of a couple of years and then when it broke again I had to cut my losses. I was gutted because I loved the Picasso but it just wasn't financially worth it. People have since told me it's common with citreons so might be worth considering. Admittedly my Picasso was older but friends I know that have had them have had similar issues.

Hmmm good to know that, thanks Cakedoesntjudge

My golf was becoming a money pit. It was almost 18 and we'd had it from new, intending to keep it till it ran itself to death, and we did that, for sure. The final nail in the coffin was all the electronics on the dashboard failing - it's a part that VW no longer manufacture, so that's that. Can't be replaced = car doesn't work = end of car.

^That alone should indicate Civic all day long!!