Imagine yourself in front of a full-length mirror with a Ralph Lauren suit or Versace dress to die for.
You swirl, pat the tummy flatter, run your fingers over the fabric, walk a little away and feel, for a moment, like a million dollars (make that a billion, the way things are going).
Yep, you'll take it.
Except... you also love that other one, the one with the slightly sharper style, that you have just tried on twice.
The assistant is all "ooohs" and "aaahs".
One way or the other, you are a certain "buy" - but which one fits you best? You could spend more time trying these on and off than Naomi Campbell does modelling an entire range.
Now, if you transfer that clothing dilemma to two cars I have driven some months apart, you might empathise with my plight.
You see, I've tried and tested the Ford Ka and the Fiat 500. They're cut from the same motoring cloth, virtually identical in terms of technology (the result of really close collaboration between the two companies).
Only the badges, cut, nip and tuck, as well as a few driving dynamics, distinguish them.
I can't take both, so which one will I choose?
The Fiat is already something of an icon, lovely in a cuddly - dare I say more female - way. Few small city cars manage to fuse retro/classic/modern looks with a degree of engineering ingenuity and puppy-like appeal.
Late-arrival Ka is at a disadvantage, because the 500 swept the catwalk first. The Ka (you may have seen it in the James Bond movie Quantum of Solace) reflects Ford's tweaking with the basics that underpin both cars.
They've also uprated engines, tucked a little of their own styling in here and nipped a little bit of Fiat design there.
They have managed to make it look different, possibly more - dare I say it - masculine. However, while the changes to the suspension side of things were no doubt undertaken to provide a sharper ride, I'm not convinced they were that successful.
Like the Fiat, it was grand around town but just a bit skittish on more demanding country twists and turns.
The 500 haunted me as I tiddled around in the Ka. I wouldn't dress the newcomer's cabin the way Ford has; the colours were a bit gawky, I felt, especially the plastic on the inside of the doors. How dull would that look in a couple of years' time?
And it took me too long, for some reason, to get my mix of seating and steering reach the way I like it. A bit like a suit feeling tight under the arms, until it's let out a little and you settle into it.
And yet... there was something alluring about the Ka. That's hardly surprising. Both cars are supposed to be a bit of fun and brightness spread on the bread-and-butter of A-to-B transport. So long as you don't push them too far.
The 1.2-litre engine ran out of puff quite quickly; the 1.3-litre diesel version is better (I remember it from the Fiat), if more expensive.
It was a brand new car on test so I overlooked how stiff some elements were, such as the driver's vanity mirror, the switch for the rear wiper and the gearchange (really poor).
And yet... it scooted me around like a busy little chaperone, parking its tiny frame in spots not much bigger than a changing room. The cabin was decently quiet, even with the engine revved high, and I enjoyed good radio reception.
The steering was nice and light, visibility excellent and the seating reasonably comfortable, even for this expanding frame but does all that compensate for the Fiat's rather special allure?
Or has the fact that the 500 was first on the streets meant I'm judging from a pre-conditioned set of parameters?
Maybe.
Judged purely on its own, this would have to be described as a thoroughly modern little motor, with some excellent elements, low running costs and a tempting entry-level price.
Aha! Now that takes us into different territory altogether because running costs embrace depreciation and I am starting to think future trade-in values.
Ford's trade-in strength (the existing Ka did make a name for itself) will surely be a big plus against the historically lower values for used Fiats.
I'm not sure that will necessarily be the case with the 500, because it has been taken to heart so much, but in these harsh, economically skewed times the Ka has to merit more brownie points on that critical aspect. So I'd buy it then?
Mmm. I'm just not that much bowled over by the Ka to abandon the Fiat. Head says Ford, heart says Fiat. Trade-in money talks. I'd go with the Ka... for now! - Irish Independent