WITH so many supermini models to choose from the main problem is deciding which one to go for.
For an increasing number of buyers Skoda's Fabia appears to offer the most for the money.
However, for those who want three doors only, for whatever reason, the SEAT Ibiza is a tempting proposition at £8,000 in 1.4-litre form.
This makes the rival Mitsubishi Colt seem rather expensive at £9,250 in 1.3-litre three-door guise, especially as the engine is not the best.
The Colt range starts at £7,500 in entry-level 1.1-litre three door form, rising to £10,250 for the 1.5-litre diesel Equippe and £13,000 for the flagship 147bhp Colt CZT.
In three-door form there are four trim levels - Red, Attivo, Equippe and Mirage - whilst the sporty CZT gets its own specification. All models have twin front airbags, Isofix fittings on the outer rear seats, remote central locking, a four speaker CD audio system, colour-coded bumpers, engine immobiliser, front electric windows and electronic power steering, but no side air bags.
Attivo trim adds a leather steering wheel and gearshift gaiter, driver seat height adjustment and 15-inch alloys at £8,250. The Equippe grade lifts the price to £9,250 with a 1.3-litre petrol engine plus £500 for automatic transmission.
The 1.5-litre diesel version is £10,250 and includes two more speakers, electric/heated door mirrors and air conditioning. The Colt Mirage starts at £9,250 for the 1.1-litre version and £9,750 for the 1.3-litre. The Mirage has 16-inch alloys, a rear spoiler, red interior trim, red leather-trimmed steering wheel and gearshift, alloy pedals, steering wheel-mounted audio controls and front fog lamps.
The three engines are a 75bhp three-cylinder 1.1-litre unit, a 95bhp four-cylinder 1.3-litre unit and a 95bhp 1.5-litre common rail diesel. The turbocharged diesel version does 59mpg in mixed driving with a 0-60mph time of ten seconds seconds. The 1.5-litre turbocharged CZT accelerates to 60mph in eight seconds and has a top speed of 130mph.
Sharing the same wheelbase and track as the five-door models, the three-door versions have a 60:40 split for the rear seats and the one-piece seat cushion also slides.
Fully folding the rear seats opens up 535 litres of luggage space and the front passenger seat backrest can be folded forward to enable long items to be carried.
Nonetheless the Colt is by no means the roomiest in its class and to be honest it does not really excel in any particular area.
Looks are obviously subjective but most people would probably agree that there are more stylish superminis around, such as the SEAT Ibiza or Honda Jazz and others that appear to offer more for the money.
There is nothing wrong with the Colt but it faces stiff opposition and looks pricey in comparison to some rivals.
It is a competent all-rounder with no obvious flaws but competition is intense and there is simply no need to even contemplate paying the full list price.
In the case of the 1.3 Equippe three-door a discount of about £700 or so should be the order of the day in the current climate.
FAST FACTS
Mitsubishi Colt 1.3 3dr Equippe
Price: £9,249
Mechanical: 94bhp, 1,332cc 4cyl engine driving front wheels via 5spd gearbox
Max Speed: 112mph
0-62mph: 11.2secs
Combined mpg: 47.1
Insurance Group: 5
CO2 emissions: 143g/km
BiK rating: 15%
Warranty: 3yrs/ unlimited miles; 6yrs antirust; 6yrs paint