IN these troubled days when every penny counts, eking out a little extra for your money is just what everyone is looking for.

And if you are looking for a used supermini but need the added versatility of a people carrier, one machine that certainly ticks the box is the Nissan Note.

Offering bags of space for a growing family combined with real value for money with its highly-frugal, fuel-sipping engines and low insurance and servicing costs, the Note shares much of its DNA with its award-winning Micra sibling.

On the inside, it comes with a clever twin-level dash with handy cubby-hole on top, a three-spoke steering wheel incorporating the audio and cruise control functions and secret storage compartment housed within the passenger seat.

Nissan designers also conjured up a way of giving the Note an illusion of being a far bigger car than it actually is, thanks mainly to its tallish roofline and low-level floor pan, while the rear seats slide back to maximise passenger leg-room or forward to increase luggage space.

And for greater practicality, the 40-60 split rear seats also fold to create a 1,332-litre cargo area, while there's also a false floor which hides a hidden storage area free from prying eyes should the boot cover be removed.

First launched in the UK in 2006, the Note received a mid-term make-over late in 2009. Four engines - a 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre petrol pair which deliver 87bhp and 109bhp respectively, or a pair of 1.5-litre diesels pumping out either 85 or 102 brake - made up the range.

And at the time, it was the lower-powered oilburner that really impressed me, for it proved a winner in my book if only for its 60-plus mpg fuel consumption.

However, its fuel-sipping powers were not the only reason I was enamoured with the Note.

The plucky diesel engine proved whispering quiet and wind and tyre noise were also well subdued.

As to be expected from an engine with such a limited power output, blasting away from the lights like a boy racer was not an option, but once it got going, the 148ft/lb of torque available kicked in and powered the car away smoothly and without fuss.

The Note does offer a ride that's a bit on the soft side, which means the car does tend to lean a bit when pushed hard into bends, but if truth be told, that's not what the car was ever designed for.

It handles nicely, grips the road well, but tends to move about some when caught by strong, gusting winds while driving at higher speeds.

In range-topping Tenka trim, the five-door Note is extremely well equipped, with electronic stability control, immobiliser, central locking and climate control all fitted as standard.

Electric windows all round and electric door mirrors, rear parking sensor and cruise control will also part of the package, as is Nissan's Connect system which incorporates the satellite navigation with the on-board iPod and mobile phone hook up.

Voted best supermini MPV on the market three times since its introduction, the Note has proved its worth over the years.

Owners love its bullet-proof reliability, flexible interior space, fabulous fuel consumption and stylish exterior lines.

Available only in five-door guise, expect to pay between £6,500 and £8,900 for three-year-old 2010 10-plate diesel model in range-topping Tekna trim and from £5,300 to £6,750 for an entry-level Visia model.

However, petrol models are much cheaper and easier to source. You should be able to pick up a 2010 1.6-litre Tekna for between £5,700 and £7,500 and a similar-engined car in Visia trim for around £4,600 to £6,200.

In return you will be rewarded with a versatile, cheap-to-run and maintain family-sized machine which comes with Nissan's proven reliablity that's a hard act to beat.