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CAR CHOICE: Buck the Trend and Try a Colt

Posted on: Tuesday, 6 September 2005, 06:00 CDT

Maddy Hawkes asks why, whenever small hatches are discussed in Car Choice, we often mention the Fiat Panda, Nissan Micra and Honda Jazz, but never mention the Fiat Punto. She reckons that the 1.2- litre 16-valve engine gives great performance, and the boot room is excellent. She has noticed a reluctance by motoring journalists to recommend the Punto, and wants to know: is there something badly wrong with it, or is it just out of fashion? Maddy would like our opinion as she's thinking of buying one to replace her old Punto SX.

addy is sort of right on both counts. If you talk to garage owners as much as I do, you hear recurring stories about blowing head-gaskets on older Puntos and electrical niggles, and there was also a problem filling up with petrol. However, I do think that a properly sorted Punto is a good, spacious and great-value small hatch. Indeed, we have mentioned it before as a used buy, but as a new buy the Punto finds itself in the most competitive market sector of all. And there's an all-new 'Grande Punto' coming soon (it will be road-tested in The Independent Motoring next week).

The Punto was revamped back in 2004, when it actually lost some character because it was given anonymous big headlamps. However, it remained spacious, did OK in the NCAP crash tests and seemed much better built. The Sporting model is quite a hoot, with a 1.8-litre engine and six-speed gearbox. Go for the 1.3 JTD diesel, and you'll get a truly impressive 62.8mpg overall. But I reckon Maddy could buy something better than what amounts to an ageing hatchback.

A CAR FOR THE HEAD

OK, I won't mention the Nissan Micra, so let's surprise Maddy by giving an overdue nod to the Ford Fiesta. The latest model is a huge improvement, and Ford has definitely taken a stride upmarket. Compared to her old Punto, Maddy should certainly be able to tell the difference when it comes to the interior and general fit and finish.

The Fiesta is certainly a safe car, with the Intelligent Protection System that has featured in the Mondeo. ABS brakes and EBD (electronic brake distribution) are standard. And if Maddy enjoys driving, the Fiesta is the place to be. It handles like a hot hatch, whichever engine she goes for. Overall, the engines are quite refined and reasonably responsible, and the diesel 1.4 TDCi returns an impressive 62.8mpg, which matches the latest Punto.

Admittedly, the Fiesta is not the cheapest option brand new, but being a Ford, the numbers on sale are huge. If Maddy waits a bit, there will be plenty available at car supermarkets, and even Ford dealers, at decent savings over new. Indeed, one 1.4 Zetec LX five- door with just 7,000 miles on the clock cost just pounds 6,699 at a specialist.

A CAR FOR THE HEART

If I can't mention the Honda Jazz again, I'll go for the Mitsubishi Colt. As Maddy appreciated the amount of interior space in the Punto, she should like this a lot. The Colt is a practical five-door hatch that pretty much does everything within a small area.

Interior space is generous, and the rear seats do clever things. They split 60/40 in the usual way, can fold, slide, recline and tumble, and can be removed. There's a good range of engines, and the petrol options " 1.1, 1.3 and 1.5- litre " are all pretty good.

All round, the 1.5 would be best; it pulls strongly and can handle motorway journeys with ease. The 1.5 DiD diesel isn't cheap, but it returns 58.9mpg. It's a strong engine that does all the work and allows drivers to stay in a high gear when they are tackling a variety of road conditions. The Colt certainly seems to ride well over most surfaces, although it does tend to lean a bit in corners.

Overall, the Colt feels like a quality product. Mitsubishi have a great reputation for building utterly reliable vehicles, which also contributes hugely to low overall running costs.

CAR CHOICE

Please write to Car Choice, Features, Independent House, 191 Marsh Wall, London E14 9RS, or e-mail James Ruppert at

carchoice@

indepen dent.co.uk, giving your age, address and contact number, and details of the type of vehicle in which you are interested.

Source: Independent, The; London (UK)

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