I know what you mean about the cream interior JJ. I think that may be on the 'lounge' spec. The 1.2 sports are a bit more bareable inside though (in fact.. a dark interior transforms it I think).
They aren't particularly cheap for what they are ... but from a smile perspective, I think they are worth it

We looked at Mini's, but a similar spec'd Mini Cooper was even more pricey, and not as brisk... so dropped that idea.
We were also looking at Suzuki Swift Sports, Mitsubishi Colt Ralliart, Renaultsport Twingo.
Couldn't find a Twingo to test drive anywhere locally (Renault garage were not very pro-active in that either)... and the interior of the Twingo's we did see looked a bit bland.
The Colt was a massive disappointment on the test drive. Numb, and didn't feel anywhere near as quick as the figures suggest. The Colt was actually our #1 choice right up until the test drive.
Ferg.... sorry but it will be getting red Abarth side stripes put on it (I'm a boy racer at heart)....but not via the dealer (it's a £160 dealer fit option !!). Being a cheapskate I've sourced some decent replicas from a vinyl/sticker place myself for £20
It's just the standard Abarth with 135bhp. Brisk enough to be fun, but certainly no real hot-hatch.
Did briefly consider the official 'Esseesse' upgrade which takes you to 160bhp, until I saw the price, and just what you got in the kit. £2600... for basically a different map on a new ECU... some springs which arguably make the car worse (apparantly it's constantly on the bump stops).. multispoke 17" wheels which I've heard are narrower & heavier then the Abarth 17" upgrade options.. a BMC panel filter .. and some different disks & pads (same calipers, not a major brake upgrade).
Quickly gave that idea a miss & put the money towards the 17" 10-spoke alloys, leather & climate. You can upgrade to an Esseesse at anytime within 12K miles or 1st year, so we can consider it later... but can buy the BMC filter for £50 myself if I want, and there are companies around which can map the current ECU to 170bhp for just £300 if we want to make it go faster... so can't see us buying the proper kit TBH.
Nizzy... call me a homo by all means... but please no more Micra jibes
