The only niggle in an otherwise completely trouble-free first four months has been an overly sensitive alarm which occasionally reacts to heavy passing traffic, or any TVR firing up within 50 yards. It's a dash-out job, so I'm settling for annoying the neighbours rather than risk acquiring squeaks and rattles in the fixing process as these are pleasingly absent from the car at present.

Lately my local lanes have been icy and slick with mud, and while the 'just chuck it in and see what happens' approach to bends beloved of all Impreza owners would certainly lead to a modified hedgerow and quick tour of the local turnip fields, the right technique produces surprisingly rapid results even if sometimes accompanied by gritted teeth and the occasional prayer.

The words 'fuel economy' and 'Clio V6' don't sit comfortably in the same sentence; even lead-foot Meaden's M Coupe has the Clio beaten (25.1 plays 22.5mpg) and just compare the V6's stats with those of my previous car:

Clio V6: 230bhp, 221lb ft, 1335kg, 22.5mpg.

BMW 330ci: 231bhp, 222lb ft, 1510kg, 27.5mpg. Go figure.