Second Hand Sense:MUCH INTEREST in the used car market is currently focused on smaller cars, for obvious enough reasons, and there is certainly plenty of choice.
However, finding a small car with something a little different is not always easy. One car that does make an impression is the Mitsubishi Colt, a small car with lots of interior space and a striking profile.
The newer Colt has been around for five years and was the result of a collaboration with DaimlerChrysler, which explains its close relationship with the Smart ForFour car. While much has been shared in terms of engineering and design, it is the Colt that comes off best.
The front and rear lines and small quarter light windows that divide the passenger and driver side windows and the tall side profile give the Colt an edgy enough personality.
Inside, the car is spacious. However, rear seats are not as flexible as they should be and, while they slide back and forward, when they are back completely it is at the expense of boot space. So, while this is a city car, it is not as practical as others for accommodating loads.
The Colt has a nicely finished interior too. Dials are dual-coloured and the dashboard lights up well. Seats are supportive and the driving position can be altered for taller drivers.
There is a choice of engines but the one that makes the most sense is the 1.1-litre petrol with 74 horse power. It is nippy in town and very economical. The gearbox is snappy. But on the open road, the engine can become quite noisy.
Everything else is pretty standard. There are twin airbags, power steering, remote central locking and a CD player on all models and better specified cars have air conditioning.
The Colt was given a four- (out of a possible five) star rating in the EuroNCAP crash test programme – good but hardly class-leading. Reliability is not an issue. Mitsubishi has a good record and there have been no signficant recalls of the Colt.
A 2006 model with 1.1 engine and 5,000km is €7,950. A 2007 with the same engine and 20,000km is €8,750. These could be negotiated, so the Colt offers better value than many competitors – something that interests everyone.
STAR RATING:5/10