COULD be a bit like those songs that don't hit you first, second or even third time round - they turn out to be the best ones.
The first few days of using Citroen's SensoDrive gearbox, operated via Grand Prix-style paddles behind the steering wheel, left me feeling really irritated.
Here was a great little car, the spiritual successor to those 'enfants terrible' the Saxo VTS and VTR, just crying out for conventional manual gears.
But then perhaps this is what the future holds. In a few years time who's to say a gearstick won't be as scarce as a pullout choke.
Citroen is a company that looks ahead more than most, with products like the funky Pluriel, and its latest offering the C2, appealing to what they label 'the PlayStation generation'.
And while SensoDrive is a gimmick on the C2 VTR, it's a very slick one, and one that takes time to master thoroughly and extract the best from.
Of course if you don't fancy the paddles you can always nudge the gearlever backwards or forwards. That's another alternative.
Worse still you can leave it in fully automatic mode and experience the catapult effect as the ponderous gearshifts pause for what seems an age before hurling you forward in staccato fashion. It's wretched.
While there will never be a truly hot C2, I'm led to believe that the end of this year will see a slightly quicker version - probably around 120bhp - of the VTR, thankfully with manual gears.
The majority, though, will buy the more mainstream versions of the C2, and they will be getting a car that's both cool and clever apart from being great value for money.
It's every inch the little big car, boasting the best fuel economy of any mainstream model in the UK, low insurance ratings and service intervals of up to 20,000 miles.
And while the C2 is shorter than the car it has replaced, it's surprisingly spacious with some neat and practical touches.
Among the best are a sliding rear seat design that lets owners choose between more boot space or better legroom.
There's also a split tailgate allowing easy access to the boot. The curved glass upper tailgate pops open at the touch of a button, while its lower section can be used for resting heavy objects and even contains a small stowage compartment.
With its matching translucent gearknobs and grab handles, brightly coloured sports seats, aluminium effect air vents and funky dashboard with digital display there's no doubt the little Citroen's a snappy dresser
It's well equipped too, with front and side airbags, height and reach adjustable steering wheel on all models, while all but the basic L model has height adjustable driver's seat.
The car's every inch as nimble as it looks. It offers a fun driving experience with excellent roadholding and plenty of kick. Just a pity about the SensoDrive.
FAST FACTS
Citroen C2 1.6 VTR
Price: £10,995
Mechanical: 110bhp, 1,587cc 16-valve petrol engine driving front wheels via 5-spd SensoDrive transmission
Max speed: 121mph
0-62mph: 10.9 secs
Combined mpg: 44.8
Insurance group: 6
CO2 emissions: 151g/km
BiK rating: 15%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles; 12yrs anti-rust; 3yrs paint