It’s a common conundrum. You need something fairly sensible to get to work every day, but that seems a bit dull for the weekend and evenings. But something too exciting is a nightmare to get to work every day. So we’ve come up with the solution – two cars. Brilliant huh? The point is, that a budget of £5000 will buy you two cars, one sensible, the other fun, so adding even more money must make it even better. Let’s dive in to pair up the motors.

Budget: £5000

Commuter: Ford Mondeo Estate (2000-2007)

Weekend wheels: MG Rover TF (2002-2005)

What could be more practical than a Ford Mondeo Estate. Sure, you get lots of space and load-lugging ability, as well as cheap running costs. But actually you also get rather good handling, ride and steering. So it isn’t totally sensible.

But the MG TF is definitely less sensible. For highdays and holidays, the MG looks good, handles really well and is just the thing if you want a mid-engined sports car with rear-wheel drive for really rather sensible money.

Things to look out for include dodgy head gaskets on the MG along with damaged cloth roof but we found a 1.8 TF on a 56 plate, as well as a ’07 Mondeo 2.5 in Ghia X trim, both with sensible mileages, all for under £5000.

Budget: £10,000

Commuter: Nissan Murano (2005-2008)

Weekend wheels: Audi TT (1999-2006)

On the sensible side we have a good-sized SUV with a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine. Sensible enough? Against the Nissan Murano we have put the Audi TT which is surely one of the most iconic of cars. It drives supremely, thanks on most model to an all-wheel drive system, handles well and simply looks gorgeous. Nothing wrong with placing that in the company car park.

We found two vehicles, both with four-wheel drive. A 2002 1.8 TT quattro and a 2006 Nissan Murano. Since they’re both well made and had less than 70k on their clocks, that looks like a lot of practicality and fun for your £10,000.

Budget: £15,000

Commuter: BMW 5 Series (2003-2011)

Weekend wheels: Mazda MX-5 (2005-2015)

A BMW 5 Series is a totally splendid conveyance to get you to work. Big enough for five in comfort, lovely ride and even a big boot. Something for the executive car park.

The Mazda, by contrast, is just a lot of fun. It just keeps on selling and keeps on getting better. It handles well, looks smart and that rear-wheel drive suits a more flamboyant driving style for the weekend.

Both the BMW and the Mazda seem well made and reliable. We found a 2008 Mazda with the 2.0-litre engine. It’s in Sport trim with under 40k on the clock. Complementing that is a 2007 525d M Sport, so it will ride a little firmer. The brace can be yours for £15,000.

Budget: £20,000

Commuter: Ford S-Max (2006-2015)

Weekend wheels: Volkswagen Scirocco (2008-on)

Once again, we have a commuter, practical transport that is actually rather more than that. The Ford S-Max can seat seven and is immensely practical, yet at the same time it’s actually a good vehicle to drive and is also pretty handsome for a people carrier.

The revised Scirocco is also most definitely handsome with lines that look as though they’ve been lowered and widened for the track rather than the road. It’s not only good looking, it’s also comfortable and practical and drives really well. So really, the two vehicles share more than you’d think.

Reliability for the VW is extremely good, so a six-year old 1.4 TSI model we found with fewer than 30k on the clock looks like great value at £10,000. An S-Max of the same age, a 2.0 TDCi Zetec with below average mileage, was the same price.

Budget: £30,000

Commuter: Jaguar XF (2007-2015)

Weekend wheels: BMW Z4 (2009-on)

You know you’re on to a good thing if your sensible transport is a Jaguar XF. A brilliant handling, lovely riding powerful saloon with a luxury cabin is a great way to start the daily commute.

The BMW roadster is a two-seater that handles as well as it looks, and is even a comfortable ride. Even better, you have a great excuse not to take the children anywhere in it. It’s reliable too, as is the Jaguar, so you should be able to spend your £15k on either without any major concerns.

The Jaguar we found had 63,000 on it, but that’s not a problem. The 3.0D S Portfolio is nicely appointed and sound value. The BMW we found was a year younger, 2010, and was the 23i M Sport model, so more sporty with a firmer ride. £30k the pair – a suitable couple.