I went specifically for a manual when I bought mine, as I float around in a big auto all week and wanted something I actually had to DRIVE at the weekends, a lot of people told me at the time that the manual box wasn't the best but to be honest I find mine to be absolutely spot on, very sharp and positive, I've certainly driven far worse


If I was to criticise anything on the drive train I'd say the clutch action is a bit weird, its a very long travel and quite snatchy, I spent the first two days of ownership lurching away from traffic lights and stop signs like a learner and stalled it a couple of times, but its fine once you get used to it.


As for colours I wanted anything but Black when I was on the lookout, and sods law the marketplace was full of black ones at the time!! so I'm sure you'll get exactly what you are looking for without waiting too long, I wanted a manual roadster that wasn't black, which reduced the 70 odd on autotrader at the time down to 5 in the whole of the UK!! but with patience I still found exactly what I wanted within a few weeks.


Good luck with the search. don't dive in without doing your homework, and remember there is likely to be someone on here close by any prospective purchase who will happily go and have a look at one for you in exchange for a pint at a future owners meet.