I would go for a golf.
Yes, there are a few of them around these days, but it is a great drive, nice and smooth (even the diesels) and they do look good.
I personally wouldn't go for a corsa. Bit of a chav-mobile, as all vauxhalls and fords are.
Or a SmartCar if you are doing just round town driving.
Or Seat Leon, about the same size of a golf, but a lot cheaper... and the diesels are excellent.
Even a Punto would be semi stylish and low insurance band.
Try avoiding japanese and oriental cars... even though they are made in europe, the insurance band is stupidly high for a young driver.