A FRIEND of mine recently invested a few pounds in a toilet golf game, in which the player sits on the loo and attempts to putt a tiny ball into a flagged hole across a circular piece of green baize laid on the floor in front of him.

It provides my friend with hours of fun, but his wife was distinctly non-plussed when she saw it had taken up residence next to the pot pourri.

Even more disconcerting were the occasional whoops of joy she heard emanating from the loo before she became aware of the new toy.

I relate this tale only because my friend is a fine example of how some men have difficulty growing up.

He and his wife are looking to buy a new car, which will mean finding a balance between the practical and smart (her) and the plain good fun (him).

The Peugeot 308 GTi may provide the answer.

The regular 308 is a distinctive-looking car, but in GTi form it gets the sort of adornments that let the neighbours know you are still looking to burn some rubber.

There are entry-level 246bhp and upgraded 266bhp versions to choose from. They share a turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol engine but the latter wears upgraded British-made Alcon brakes, larger but lighter wheels, sportier bucket seats and a Torsen mechanical limited-slip differential. You really should go for this one.

GTi badges are everywhere in both, so you're in no danger of forgetting you're in a hot hatch, albeit one that is decidedly grown-up. The seats in the 270 look especially good, with their high side bolsters and contrasting red stitching, but the racy look is not at the expense of comfort.

The beauty of the 308 GTi is that it's a practical hatchback at heart. Put the back seats down and you can transport a sizeable piece of furniture.

And there's more... a reversing camera, keyless entry, front and rear parking sensors and a 12-volt power point for starters. And for rear seat passengers there's no shortage of headroom thanks to a high roof line.

It's balanced, fast and poised to drive, and the Torsen diff lets the car hold tighter lines at higher speeds through potentially tricky corners. Plus, the variable-spring rate suspension is tuned well for British back-roads, while the steering is quick and precise.

Time for some fun then. Press the Sport button and the instrument panel graphics change from white to red and the read-out is all about power and torque.

Whether it's any more enjoyable to drive in this mode is debatable, but you certainly feel the sharper engine responses.

Keep the counter-rotating rev counter needle above 3,000rpm and turbo lag is negligible. Below that it gives some throttle response away to its 2.0-litre rivals, but it shifts when you chase the redline.

The 270 is where it's at for value. For a £1,600 premium you get all that extra equipment, higher residual values, a better drive and more fun. Its price is right in the thick of the best front-wheel drive hot hatchbacks around, so it's competitive rather than a bargain. Strong rivals from Seat and Ford are a similar price or less, so it's a straight punch-up between some serious heavyweights.

Hot hatchbacks have broad appeal. Young men are clearly going to be the targets, but maybe not the buyers. The idea of a practical hatchback that can easily overtake those who refuse to go faster than 20mph below the speed limit on country roads is one that can surely win plenty of favour with drivers of any age. It has style and a measure of comfort on its side, too.

It's a real GTi, and continues the fun after a game of toilet golf.