Why is the choice of new cars so rubbish?

[Mathias]

I haven't posted on ten-tenths for a while, but I'm thinking about getting a new car, and I'm just flabbergasted at how dull and derivative all the new cars out there are, and I wondered if it was just me.

It seems to me that if you want an MPV or an executive saloon, you're laughing, but if you want something smaller or a little bit fun, you may as well go **** up a rope!

Currently I've got a convertible Mini, because 3 years ago I had the same problem, and settled on the Mini as at least having character (although the boot is rubbish, it drives like a tank, and for such a big car - yes, big - it has remarkably little storage space). Previously we had a convertible Smart, but the engines don't last much beyond 50,000mls, and the new shape Smarts are, in my view, pig ugly, boxy, and getting worse every year.

No-one seems to make an attractive, sporty, small car anymore, especially a convertible. Any thoughts?