should it be this much fun?

Try a 106. Maybe not quite up there with a mini, but they handle like a go-kart. Nat's 1.6 XSi still does 40mpg too, which is nice.

We looked at Micras as well before the106, but although they seemed uber-cheap to run they were dull-o-rama. Nat used to have the one before (early 90s shape), and to be fair it just ran and ran and ran with very little work and very little servicing, but it was totally uninspriing.

i find the pedals to close together in the 106, plus they never came with air con and i'd want air con :( a 306 XSI would be ok and not as gay as a micra i'm thinking

I cope alright and IIRC you're not much bigger than me. In fact I've had no problems at all with this one, although I seem to remember having issues in my housemates later series 2 106 when I was at uni. Maybe the pedal box was changed.

306 XSi is not quite as nimble as it's smaller sibling, but pretty competant. But economy will be worse as the old XU engines are pretty thirsty IME. A Dturbo would be a good bet for a sensible car - and they're plenty tweakable. Or just get a GTi6 - a car that I may buy for myself next year :)

my feet are size 9-10 depending on the type of shoe and the width tends to touch both the clutch and brake pedal which can make moving them around works yard interesting!

hmmm, i wouldn't want anything thirsty, i'm thinking garage the BM for a year and running around in something cheap and cheerful so i can clear off it's finance, i'm thinking maybe 500 quid banger with a years tax and test? then get something nice-ish for a couple of grand of carry on running bangers and do my bike test and get a nice bike!

So you either want something small and economical, or diesel powered. At that price I'd be looking in the PSA stable so you at least get something that's fun to drive whilst still being economical. So a 106 XSi, 205 XS/GT/GTX/DT, AX GT, 306 DT, ZX DT etc etc. Although I guess you're in a good position to see what cheap stuff is coming through the garage and potentially grabbing a bargain from their rather than proactively looking.

But if you're anything like me you'll find anything properly sensible (like a Micra) very boring very quickly. And will either hate it or will just end up selling it on.

slow small cars can be fun, specially if they have a semblance handling. I really have got bored with the whole fast car thing....must be growing up.

Yes they're epic aren't they. My Suzuki Swift (Mark1, very rare) was the nearest thing to an old style Mini I've ever driven. The handling was superb. I didn't have to brake for roundabouts. The engine was revvy and pulled really well. The GTi version must be awesome. Because they are so rare they don't have an image so if you are worried about that, good times ahead with a Swift. Much more spacious than a Mini too and acceptable for long-ish journeys.

Safe too, here's a pic of mine after someone smashed into me

I'm a size 10 and I wear chunky skate shoes, Vans/DCs etc and I can drive them - I guess you just have to get used to them like anything. I remember the first time I drove a 106, I had the same problem but I see to have got over them these days so I guess you just learn to sort it some how.

Didn't realise you were into cross dressing :-P