Fiat - Punto

This generation of Punto now lags behind class leaders in terms of space, comfort and refinement, but it remains a practical, economical supermini with perky performance, decent driving dynamics and predictable handling. It's easy to drive and easy to own. Generally reliable and well-built, its components are well-tested and it shouldn't prove problematic, though there have been problems reported with the Selespeed clutchless gearbox.
The excellent 1.3 Multijet turbodiesel is a little noisy, but it's a better choice than the old-tech 1.9D and is the best all-rounder in the range with good economy and performance. Automatic and sequential-shift clutchless gearboxes are optional with some engines, though the manuals (six-speed with the larger engines) are the most rewarding to drive.
With a a good choice of models and an extensive options list, it's easy to find a Punto to match your requirements and Fiat dealers usually have pre-registered examples offering big cost savings.