Alfa Romeo Spider

Buy a Spider only if you care about looking good first and going around a corner second. A very distant second.

• Comfort

  At least with the roof off there's room for tall people. Space in the back is non-existent in the Spider (roof-stowage), but at least with the roof up it's warm, quiet and comfortable to cruise. Softer-feeling than the Brera on which it is based - for day-to-day work that's not a bad thing.

  

• Performance

  Three engines, none of which is earth-shattering. The range starts with a 2.2-litre petrol four, hits a peak at the 2.4-litre JTDM diesel (yup, along came a diesel Spider) and tops out at the lardy 191kW V6 with four-wheel drive. All drive into the 225km/h area, though the V6 is comfortably quickest to 100km/h at 7.0 seconds dead. The same economy comes from the smaller petrol and the diesel at 9.4L/100km, but you'll be lucky to get 11.5L/100km from the V6.

  

• Cool

  Very cool for people who don't care much about the driving experience. Which includes my father-in-law, no matter how much I tried to put him off.

  

• Quality

  The Spider feels nicely solid. When it's standing still.

  

• Handling

  Oh my. The Spider brings back not-so-fond memories of chop-tops when that nickname was literal. The steering rack is way too fast on the Spider, making it fire into bends like a terrified rabbit. The problem is that it accentuates the large portion of bodyroll and understeer. There is grip, but you have to dig for it.

  

• Practicality

  Not the most practical of the convertible world, but the boot is OK for the sector.

  

• Running costs

  The lowest C02 emissions comes from the frugal diesel, but beware when you can get an Audi TT for less.