Hi Eimear,

OK, with this search we are likewise working on new cars, as per your recent request with the automatics. Simply by opting for a manual gearbox, a much wider choice opens up to you for a €20,000 budget – higher-spec Zetec, Titanium and even ST-Line Ford Fiestas all come in under this figure, the sportiest SEAT Ibiza FR kicks off at €19,465 and there’s even a Volkswagen Polo option, in the form of the 1.0 MPI 75hp Comfortline model. All of these would serve you very, very well – but if you want to save a bit more cash, consider the Dacia Sandero SE Summit (€15,990 with the 90hp TCe turbocharged petrol engine, €17,490 for the 90hp 1.5 dCi diesel). And give Skoda some serious consideration: most of the excellent Fabia petrol line-up sits below €20,000, while there are even a few options in the larger Rapid, Rapid Spaceback and gigantic Octavia ranges. Our preferred choices would be the SEAT Ibiza, the best supermini of the moment, some form of Fiesta, or a Skoda Fabia 1.0 TSI Monte Carlo with 95hp for €19,775.