I have been reading with interest all the threads on the Colt. Some highly recommend the 1.1 3 cylinder engine. Get the 1.3 Cleartec, i have it and it is truly a fantastic little car.£30 car tax for a year, more mpg and it has stop/start which you can disable. I have had many long runs, including from Yorkshire to Portsmouth. It's quiet and i got out the other end feeling fine, no aches and pains. Interior space is simply brilliant but boot space, oh dear, but i knew that when buying the car, ok, i have to lower the back seat, so what, i do alot of shooting and carry alot of gear, with the backs seats folded its cavernous. As for the cost of parts, come on, its Japanese so you'll not need too many. should you require brakes etc check out Euro car parts thus avoiding main agents.

Get a Colt, simply put you cannot go wrong. The cleartec has cruise, air con and all the decent stuff.

I too was lost for words when I rang to book SWMBO's Fiat 500 in for its second annual service. 14,000 miles. I wasn't expecting anything remotely low priced but when they came back with £550 I asked them to check and they confirmed it - 4 hours labour and it includes a brake fluid change, when would like to book it in? I said I'd think about it and the chap said when you ring back make sure you ask for me. That's two basic sales techniques played on me. Rang another main dealer 120 miles away where I could take it whilst doing a days work. £275 and includes brake fluid and spark plugs. Rang back local dealer, shock, consternation, we may have quoted you for the wrong service, yes it appears we have that will be £278. I mentioned the brakes were a bit squeaky and they said it could be discs and pads, I said both worn out? Oh yes sir, easily possible with that mileage. Wonder if I'll be getting a brakes related phone call sometime during the day of the service? An independent wanted £250 for the service so its only £28 for the stamp but someone's been teaching the service guys how to price and close business. I wonder how many people gulp and swallow the first price. It would only take one a day to put another £100k into the coffers.