Nissan Micra C+C 2005 - Present

The Nissan Micra C+C are a marvellously well built small cabriolet.  Unfortunately the fact that it’s a cabriolet compromises room in the back of the car.  This means that if you’re looking to accommodate adult sized rear passengers the front occupants will need to have their seats forward, which is not necessarily preferable.  The impressive soft top is worth the inconvenience though as if folds down in 22 seconds at the touch of a button.  It can even do this at sow speeds so if you’re going round the M25 and haven’t got your roof down when you hit traffic…

With the roof up the C+C looks like any other Micra, but with a twinkle in it’s eye.  As you try to entice taller people into the Micra their eye gesture is going to be more of a wince than a twinkle, as there is no room unless the seat is forward.  There is enough room for four women of average height to get comfortable but keep any taller people for a day with nobody sitting in the back.  The glass roof really enhances the feeling of headroom and adds a lovely sense of freedom.  It’s specially treated to prevent heat build up so you’re not subjected to greenhouse conditions.  With the roof down you’re treated to a civilised journey that if free of too much wind interference

On the road there are two different engine options and lets be fair you don’t buy a Micra for it’s hair raising performance.  There are two different engines on offer, 1.4 and 1.6 petrol units.  The 1.4 offers 88bhp which is enough for general driving about, but the significantly quicker 1.6 with 110bhp is not much more expensive and is more relaxing to drive.  The 1.6 offers a tyre screeching 10.6 seconds for the 0 – 60 sprint and impressive 119 mph top speed.  The 1.4 will get to 60 mph in 12.1 seconds and has a top speed 10 mph slower than it’s big brother.    They both offer the same 42 mpg economy figure, but the 1.6 has the option of an auto box which knocks 4 mpg off the figure.  The four speed auto box, first available from summer 2006 is useful around town but slow witted and cumbersome on the open road.

Handling is neutral and easy.  It’s not equipped with limitless grip and the front can become easily overwhelmed if pushed too hard into t a corner but it’s really good enough for the sort of driving that suits it.  The C+C has been given a stiffened chassis, to compensate for the lack of roof.  This has been achieved without the loss of easy driving that the rest of the range can boast.  The steering is easy and light, although it never really gains any great amount of feedback at higher speeds. 

The Nissan Micra C+C offers good fun and economical driving.  The only real gripe comes from the lack of room in the back but it’s not really the sort of car you’re likely to use for ferrying that many people around.  If you’re looking for a small, light hearted hatch that’s cheap to run and reasonable to buy there are few challengers.

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