Autometer 4483 Ultra-lite Electric Voltmeter Gauge on 2040-parts.com

Convertible prices down – time to buy

Now is the best time to buy a convertible Traditionally, the end of the year has seen a big drop in the price of convertibles. Conversely, the Spring always sees a price rise. Which in the past always made sense. After all, who wants to be driving round in a drafty, cold soft-top when winter bites?

New SEAT Leon SC: Price from £15,370

The new SEAT Leon SC (3-door), which debuted at the Geneva Motor Show last month, will cost from £15,370 for the S 1.2TSI. Not only is the Leon SC cheaper than the Hatch, SEAT has gone to some trouble to differentiate the two with the SC getting a lower roofline, more steeply raked windscreen and new tailgate, as well as being 35mm shorter. Despite which the Leon SC still has decent leg and head room in the back and a boot that’s as big as the Leon hatch.

Nissan Juke n-tec arrives in the UK: Price from £16,295

Nissan has revealed a new model in the Juke range – the Juke n-tec – with cosmetic tweaks and extra equipment  Cost from £16,295. It was a move that gave Nissan an edge as car makers woke up to the realisation that car buyers wanted something a bit higher riding and a bit more butch than a saloon car to ride around, leaving other car makers hustling to catch up with Nissan’s Crossover jump. And it was the success of the Qashqai that inspired Nissan to follow up with a little brother in the shape of the ‘I’m ugly but I’m funky’ Nissan Juke, which looks a bit like a four-wheeled bug prowling the urban landscape, but which is actually a good little car.