Fiat Panda, Animal instinct

If you're wondering what the 'animal instinct' title of this particular choice is about, it's a reference to our acceptance of this as perhaps an odd choice on here. However, our instinct tells us that the Panda is the right pick for this list's 'token new car' - and like Lorraine Tighe from The Apprentice, we have a good instinct.

The new Panda replaced the tiny and tinny Fiat Seicento in 2003 - a car moulded in the tradition of many small Fiats by being full of character, but nastily cheap and fundamentally a bit shaky. However, somehow, the Panda managed to retain the character while being merrily cheap (there's a difference) and surprisingly useful too, thanks to MPV-like styling and tangibly improved build quality. It looks like a tiny van, and the boot's cramped, but in basic 1.1-litre form it's fun to drive, cheap to run and uniquely cool.

You could buy a used one, of course, but because it's getting on a bit now (and because of the car market in general) you could probably walk into a Fiat dealer and name your price. Go on, try it.

Compare prices on the Fiat Panda: Find a deal on Yahoo! Cars

Mark Nichol