I traded my Fiat Stilo 1.9JTD against a pre-reg S Copa in white at Arnold Clark in Hudds earlier this year, getting a good deal for myself and also for the missus on a 5dr Ibiza hatch.

I initially found the 1.2 TDI to be very sluggish and, to this day, still joke that the 0-60 time is a matter of days rather than seconds. But adapting one's driving habits becomes the order of the day. Motorway overtakes are rather a thing of the past as top gear acceleration is pathetic, but you learn to appreciate the scenery and kick in the cruise control at 60mph, sit back and enjoy the drive.

The cruise control is probably the most remarkable part of the spec, to be honest. Aside from that it has aircon, steering wheel audio, aux input and a very useful boot cigar socket. That's all you get, but even as a self confessed gadget freak it seems to be all I need. I do wish it had a proper trip computer though - judging my average mpg from fillups is a pain and it means trying a driving technique for a whole 500+ miles to see how it fares against a different technique, rather than on a journey by journey as one can do with a trip computer.

On the subject of mpg, I'm averaging 63mpg. This is on Shell Fuelsave diesel which gives me the best mileage. BP runs at around 58mpg. Several tankfuls prove this to be fact not anomaly.
I found this a bit disappointing as it's way below the manufacturer's claimed mpg... however, I was achieving 58mpg from my (official 53mpg combined) Stilo, so I felt I should better the official figure on this car too. However, I believe the engine is perhaps a little too small for the weight and does struggle on hills.
The gear change indicator has it's moments too - suggesting I should be in fifth going uphill. Changing to fifth gear instantly generates a call for fourth gear - no the most intelligent system in the world.

But I forgive it. You see the Ibiza ST has become such a great friend to me. It's simple, efficient motoring and the whole is much greater than the sum of all the parts.

The boot is huge (and now protected with a £35 rubber Autoform liner).
The turning circle is tiny.
The width of the car is very deceptively narrow - it fits through some crazily small gaps in traffic.
The handling is fab - cornering is very admirable for the body shape.
It rides on 15" alloys, meaning cheap tyres (instead of my Stilo's 17" optional alloys).

OK so it's a little bouncy on a bumpy road and its looks are not going to set the world alight, but for all the cars I've owned, it's the first I actually care about.

It's like a faithful little companion that copes brilliantly with camping trip, to DIY store run, to daily commute. It's unassuming and yet very pretty (except from the back). It's reliable and economical, cheap to insure and easy to drive. It's a rare sight too, having only seen one other in the last six months.

Does everything I could possibly ask and with a humble eagerness. It's great and in three years time when it comes to change I will most likely be keen to take another one to replace it.

I'm a very happy owner and would recommend the car to anyone who fancies something a little uncommon, and uncommonly good.