Hi Nathan,
In the years that I've been a club member, countless people have posted a thread like this; they're looking for an A2 that ticks all the boxes but simply can't find one. Given that the youngest A2s are now 11 years old, buying on the basis of condition and history is everyone's advice. Some have been tempted by shabby-but-high-spec models and have ended up pouring funds into repairs.
When I bought my A2, I made a list of the core things that really mattered to me. It had to be an Ebony Black TDI75 SE with OpenSky. Of course I wanted as many other optional extras as I could get, but I knew that they could be added in due course. Retrofitting optional extras isn't as cheap as getting a car that's already got all the options you want, but it's often cheaper than remedying inherited issues and a lot less disheartening. Because of this, loads of members have had me turn their A2 into what they originally wanted. They've followed their head and bought on the basis of condition and have then had me add the options they originally wanted. The only brochure options that I don't add are OpenSky and climate control, but otherwise the world is your oyster. For many, this has really helped to open up the market and increase the number of viable cars. Especially given our relative proximity to one another, this approach could also work for you.
Another current thread is about the low prices that A2s are commanding at the moment. It's a buyer's market. Take a look at this one:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201601119976893
It's in Bolton, so not far from you at all. A 53-plate 2004MY with only 66,000 on the clock for £3000 from a trader. It looks to be in fine condition and is £1000 under your budget. For all that there are currently things about it that don't appeal to me, they're all easily changed. It strikes me as being a really good base.
Cheers,
Tom