I had a Micra (2005 IIRC) as a rental car - had 200 miles on the clock. The seat was hard, and had no latteral (sideways) support, I mean dont get me wrong, I didnt expect bucket seats, but some side support is nice so I dont slide about going round corners. Nice gearbox though - gear changes were a breeze, its a very tight gearbox, quick flick to change.
I test drove a Punto after this, (I had had one before) and found the gearbox like stirring porridge! The gears were too far apart too, I was having to reach all over the place to change gears (though I was comparing it to the Micra which was very tight and new)! Settled for a Fiesta.