IF you're thinking of buying a Fiat Panda, go for the Easy model with added seat height adjustment if you need it.
Otherwise, it comes with a decent range of kit and at under £10,000, is also a reasonable price.
Added to that, this latest Panda is fun. It's not hugely quick with the 1.2-litre 69bhp engine, but it feels good on the move and the engine is smooth and free revving, with a perky nature.
The ride is a little lumpy at low speeds - as is the nature of most small cars - but it smoothes out well as speed rises.
The suspension is good enough for decently fast cornering speeds in safety, with tactile steering to help.
It is also reasonably capable on the motorway but, at the usual speeds, there is not much to spare.
This car was in metallic paint (an extra £450) and it attracted attention wherever I went in a way that much more exotic cars often don't.
There is reasonable rear legroom so that four can be carried in comfort and the boot is a good size too. The interior look, with grey and beige seats plus dark grey and black for the rest, really works.
It comes with air con, remote locking, front, curtain and side airbags, height adjust steering, MP3 stereo, folding back seat, traction control and an alarm.