I lost my VX220 in similar circumstances to Clive Acaster's Elise - though I suspect the bump broke one of the suspension linkages, but there wasn't enough debris left to distribute any blame. The experience left me somewhat underwhelmed by the Lotus build-to-a-weight strategy and - following the insurance claim - in the market for a (relatively) sensible choice to replace it.

After the VX220 and a Honda S2000, I was certain the replacement should be a rear-wheel drive 2 seater roadster - though perhaps my driving skills were still being translated from years of front-wheel drive hot hatches.

I set my price range at £20K and tested a few likely candidates. I was smitten by a cheap TVR Griffith, but much of the 18,000 miles I do a year are on business, so it would need to start every morning and be able to attempt icy Scottish winters. After the minimalism of the VX220, a few creature comforts were on the list too - though I didn't want to lose the lightness and agility which I loved about the Lotus chassis.

MX5, MR2 and the rest of the usual suspects along with some second hand gems, of which a slightly budget bursting older Boxter S topped the list. Realistically, the running costs and insurance would leave little pocket money left over at the end of the month and there were just too many on the road - including my boss'.

After David Yu's write up on the Smart Roadster in EVO I thought I'd take a look. Initially I went to the Merc dealer looking for an older SLK320 but the Brabus Roadster Coupe looked much better sitting beside it and a test drive ensued. It really did combine the best of both worlds for me: similar weight to the VX220 but with even more grip (225 rear tyres is overkill with only 101bhp but it really does sticks to the road); a lower centre of gravity and all the creature comforts you could want (heated leather seats, electric roof, air-con and even pretty decent boot space). And no yoga lessons required learning to get in and out. Add over 50mpg - even driven hard - and group 13 insurance, I was ready to do a deal on an ex-demonstrator, thinking it would still have some of the limited two-year warranty when I trade it in. But, unusually for me, I've held onto it over a year now, and 18K miles shows it's still keeping me amused even with daily use.

I like that it comes with all the Merc safety kit that a small sports car usually does without; front and side airbags, ABS, Traction and Stability control (working on brakes and throttle), automatic brake distribution and so on; even the standard Merc tool kit and warning triangle. That it still manages to include all this kit at around 850kg is impressive and makes you wonder how aluminum structured minimalist cars can be so heavy. I'd live without the power steering but the electric roof and heated seats are fantastic. If the storm doesn't have a name the roof is usually down.

Living with a car makes you appreciate other nice touches too: plastic body panels are great, as are wipers that adjust their speed with the speedo. Even the washer jets include an extra one in the corner to scoosh the whole screen. The attention to detail: remote boot release that opens the boot all the way up instead of just unlocking it so you don't have to put your bags down; two gas struts on the bonnet and hatch; cruise control with a built in adjustable speed limiter, air-con with two levels of operation so you save fuel once it's cooled the car down; an electric roof you can open and close at any speed; the gear stick that you lock in reverse when you take the keys out (a Saab trick?).

The car Rethinks existing ideas superbly, like the way they lined the lower trim in fleece-like carpet which means you can Velcro anything to it. You can move the interior pockets around just by unsticking the Velcro and if you need more internal storage just buy a few extra pockets.

You can even stick some Velcro to the back of your iPod and buy the optional smart iPod doc if so inclined.