Nissan Micra

When Nissan revealed the Micra C+C as a concept car at the 2002 motor show in Britain it was so enthusiastically received by both public and press that its future as a production car was assured.

However, it was a full three years before UK buyers could get their hands on the wheel of this cute convertible.

In common with its competitors, Nissan plumped for a folding hard top rather than one of the canvas affairs of yesteryear. Designed by Karmann, the German convertible expert, the Micra??™s roof is a fully automatic affair, taking about 22sec to transform the car from coup?© to cabriolet.

Aesthetically, the Micra C+C looks similar to its supermini brother but the roofline has been lowered by about 4in and the front screen is more raked.

The C+C is also longer, with nearly 3in added to the boot of the car to accommodate the roof when folded. Boot space is therefore pretty generous; with the roof up you have 457 litres of space and even with the roof down you have a class-leading 255 litres.

In contrast you??™ll find the rear seat passengers are pretty hard done by. If two long-legged *****s are in the front then legroom in the rear disappears, in effect making the C+C no more than a two-seater.

Power comes from a choice of two engines: a 1.4 litre producing 88bhp and a 1.6 with 110bhp on tap.

Thanks to the extra gubbins associated with installing a folding hard top, motors, strengthening and extra glass, the C+C weighs about 220lb more than a standard hatchback so the 1.4??™s performance is blunted, but a 0-62mph time of about 13sec still seems to be enough to satisfy many buyers.

Your decision on engine type is closely linked to trim grade, the entry level Urbis being available only with the smaller unit. Better suited to the car??™s additional weight is the 1.6 litre engine available in the higher specification Sport and Essenza models.

Despite knocking more than two full seconds off the car??™s 0-62mph time and adding about 10mph to its top speed, the 1.6 is capable of almost identical fuel economy and attracts an insurance rating just one group higher.

All models come with alloy wheels, front and side airbags, CD player and sports front seats, while the Sport model is distinguished by air-conditioning, larger alloys and chrome trim to the headlights.

The top spec Essenza boasts a keyless entry system, air-conditioning becomes climate control and cabin trim gets an upgrade from standard cloth to a cloth/leather and alcantara mix.

All nice touches, for sure, but probably not enough to justify the ??1,000 premium the Essenza commands on secondhand examples.

Cutting the roof off a car does little for its structural rigidity and in the past cabriolets and convertibles have often suffered from the dreaded ???scuttle shake??? ??“ a sensation that the car is flexing.

No such problem, though, with the Micra C+C. While designing the roof, Karmann also designed a specially strengthened platform, adding cross members to retain the car??™s structural strength.

The result is that the C+C feels as solid as a standard Micra hatchback. A shame, then, that the steering feels too light and that the car has a tendency to roll through corners.

That said, the Nissan Micra C+C offers supermini buyers a genuine, fun alternative to a regular hatchback thanks to low running costs, an easy nature and sound engineering.

If, like most supermini drivers, you rarely feel the need to carry back-seat passengers then the open-top benefits of the C+C could be just the thing to put the sparkle back into those urban commutes.

Alloy wheels are standard on all models. Sport and Essenza models get larger 16in wheels. Check for pavement scuffs

Safety

Twin front and side airbags are standard on all models, while 1.6 litre Essenza comes with traction control

Steering

Electric power steering reduces drain on engine power and is speed variable, but feels a touch too light

Roof

Fully electric folding roof is constructed from two thermally insulated glass panels, allowing light into the cabin even on the dullest day

Residual values

Strong demand and limited availability means that secondhand values are still high

Colours

Light metallic blue and silver are most popular colours for resale

Security

Storage tray under passenger seat is controlled by central locking, meaning you can leave valuables in the car even with the roof down

Driving position

Steering wheel and driver??™s seat can both be adjusted for height

Vital statistics

Model Nissan Micra C+C 1.6 Sport

Engine 1598cc, four cylinders

Power 110bhp

Transmission Five-speed manual

Fuel 42.2mpg (combined cycle)

Acceleration 0-62mph: 10.6sec

Top speed 118mph

The one to buy

Nissan Micra C+C 1.6 Sport 2006 06 with 10,000 miles.

Pay ??10,695 at a dealer or ??9,750 privately

Values

Mileage (5,000/10,000/20,000)

2005 55

Trade ??8,775 ??8,525 ??8,025

Retail ??10,395 ??10,150 ??9,650

2006 06

Trade ??9,325 ??9,050 ??8,525

Retail ??10,950 ??10,695 ??10,150

2007 07

Trade ??10,250 ??9,975 ??9,375

Retail ??11,850 ??11,550 ??10,950

Or for similar money

2003 53 Volkswagen Beetle 1.6 cabriolet

2004 54 Toyota MR2 Roadster

2004 54 Mini One 1.6 cabriolet

2005 05 Peugeot 206 CC 1.6

2005 55 Vauxhall Tigra 1.4i

Source: [url=http://www.wheels24.co.za/Wheels24/RoadTests/Latest_tests/0,,1369-1373-2101_2202162,00.html]Wheels24.co.za[/url]