THE Mazda MX5 sportscar has been all-conquering in recent years, but there is another that is just as good if more quirky to drive.
The Fiat Barchetta was only ever available in left hand drive, but if you can live with that, you will have a cracking little car.
It's cheaper, rarer, has the same power and performance and is just as much fun as the Mazda.
It's also well built and pretty, so if you want to stand out from the crowd, this could be the one for you.
It boasts about 130bhp from a smooth and punchy 1,750cc engine, which drives the front wheels through a slick changing five speeder with a delightfully short throw gearchange.
There's a good thrust of power even from quite low speeds, but push it towards the red line and it really delivers the goods with a wonderful Italian exhaust note.
The power steering is perfect and tremendous suspension gives sticky grip and marvellous road holding, along with tremendous balance and safety.
Interior
Take a long test drive to make sure you can live with the left-hand drive and service history is a must. Avoid unofficially converted right-hand drive cars unless fully checked by an engineer.
Seats are excellent and many have leather and aircon but they were not standard and neither was a passenger airbag. Check the hood thoroughly.
FAST FACTS
Fiat Barchetta
Price: Pay about £2,200 for an '00 X-reg, £3,500 for an '02 52-reg, or £7,000 for an '05 05-reg
Mechanical: 130bhp, 1,750cc, 4cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via 5-speed manual gearbox
Max speed: 124mph
0-62mph: 8.6 seconds
Combined mpg: 33
Insurance group: 16
Marks: 9/10
Main rival: Mazda MX5