Well I have now driven both the grande punto (in base spec 65bhp, and it was dire in terms of performance, 0-60 is over 20seconds I would reckon) and a JTD sporting panda, I loved the panda, its the new punto!!! INterior was tacky but had loads of extra's!
Seriously for your first year save your money and buy some thing cheap and chearfull (or not), if you prang it into a lamppost or similar then it won't matter, you won't have to declare it etc due to £££.
I got a 1litre polo coupe, then a 1.4 rover 100 (Read metro with rover 200 interior crammed in), then a 1.2 punto, I now have 1years NCB, and am half way to my 2nd!! I am just 19 now!