Second-hand sense: A recent Financial Times survey revealed that over 70 per cent of all the ties in the world are now produced in one small town in Southern China, while over 90 per cent of all cigarette lighters are made in another small town nearby.
This, one would have thought, would result in a pretty hefty drop in the price of your next tie or cigarette lighter but, needless to say, this will not be the case. Different tax regimes will dictate otherwise, but the main reason why one tie will cost you €100 and another €15 is branding and marketing. In short, labels. We love them and we desire them and the fact that they make some things appear far more exclusive than they are makes us want them all the more.
Which brings us to the Seat Arosa, a car made by a Spanish manufacturer owned by Volkswagen and which matches in every detail the car produced by VW called the Lupo. The Lupo has always cost more because it is a VW, and the Seat less, because people are less familiar with the name and therefore less desirous of the car.
The Arosa, however, has never been my favourite small car nor, it has to be said, has the Lupo. But it is a fine little car in its own right. It is a three-door hatchback with a choice of engines from 1.0 litre petrol to 1.4 litre diesel units. My main problem with it is a lack of rear space, less than adequate boot space and the fact that the practical emphasis has been on the front of the car. The doors are simply too big (as anyone who has parked one in a tight space has discovered) but they seem to enhance the overall profile of the car.
The Arosa, then, is an ideal city car for two people with limited interest in weekly shopping loads. If you are a parent of a small child it is a non-runner because of that lack of space in the back. However, if you need a runabout with limited capacity, a good little engine (the 1.0 litre is limited to city driving and a tad whiney while the 1.4 diesel is a great unit with excellent economy and little of the diesel rattle on might expect from a small car) and smart appeal then the Arosa is well worth considering.
You won't find a great ride on unrefined surfaces but the car feels strong and capable for its size. Handling is grand. Visibility is very good and the extensive front glass area makes for a very bright interior. The overall appeal is value for money. Equipment is generally limited to the basics but that has not stopped some enthusiasts transforming them into four wheel ghetto blasters. The base model is a good contender for first car status, mainly because of lower costs and safety.
The Arosa does not have a EurNCAP crash test, but its alter ego, the Lupo, does have a four-star rating having been found to be a "strong car, giving its occupants all-round protection". Nor does it have a recall record or a reputation for serious faults, which is another strong point in its favour.
A 2002 model with 37,700 miles on the clock and with alloys, metallic paint, remote locking and twin airbags has an asking price at one garage of €5,750, while another 2003 model with 17,000 miles on the clock is on offer for €8,950. Keen negotiation should yield a bargain.
FOR: Ideal runabout for singletons. Appealing styling.
AGAINST: Limited rear space. Poor ride.