Mitsubishi Colt (2004 - 2013) 1.3 CZ2 5d Owner Review

I own the pre-facelift 1.3 CZ2 without stop-start. Unfortunately it sits in the £155 per year VED category. However, the 1.3 is far better for our of town driving on open A roads. If I only drive in town and city centres the 1.1 is more than adequate and a tax category lower. The interior feels roomy for such a small car but it's tall so doesn't feel cramped. The rest seat can slide (in two parts) to choose between boot space or rear leg room. Despite being nearly 12 years old and 100k on the clock everything works (electrics, remote locks etc) and the engine is still sweet. There are only two niggles (well known) which are the drivers seat lowers itself gradually after raising so need to crank it up every few journeys (no big deal and only a problem if you like it raised) and reverse gear crunches going in UNLESS 1st gear is pushed in first (again no big deal and quick and easy to avoid). It's easy to do a major service myself with previous experience on different cars in the past. Very reliable motoring and it's nice to drive a car that isn't common as muck on the roads, but still easy to maintain (Mitsubishi garage nearby and cheap parts online). In a way I prefer the pre-facelift headlamps but the face-lifted 1.3 clear tec with stop start would be a more savvy choice at £30 VED per year for the same engine. CZ2 has air con and alloy wheels which I much prefer so avoided lower spec models. I also like the audio remote buttons hidden behind the steering wheel - easy to use!