If you want a really enjoyable driving experience in a small, used hatchback in the US, you really only have six choices: the Mazdaspeed 3; the VW GTI; the last gen Suburu WRX and WRX STi or the MINI Cooper "S" and JCW. The Cooper "S" isn't the fastest, but it has that magical combination of "feel" + performance + design that's truly hard to beat. (I have excluded the Ford Focus ST and Fiesta ST, because they are so rare as used cars as of this writing). I drove all of them and ranked them as follows, purely on everyday driveability and that unquantifiable fun factor, as follows: 1. Cooper "S"; 2. GTI; 3. JCW; 4. WRX; 5. Mazdaspeed 3; and 6. WRX STI. Realizing that such rankings are highly personal and subjective, I won't bore you with all the variables that mattered to me, but suffice it to say, I purchased the MINI Cooper "S." I have not regretted the decision for one moment. It really is an amazing little car that rides and handles superbly.

Performance- The performance is amazing. Because the car weighs next to nothing, the little 4 cylinder can propel this car forward at a ridiculous rate. It also handles like a go-kart, there is a reason why this car was featured the way it is in The Italian Job. Build Quality- The car is built really well. Everything feels solid and there are no wonky plastic parts. Appearance- It looks like nothing on the road and with all the customization options, you can really make your MINI a unique car. The interior takes some getting used to but after using the car for a few weeks you will be able to use the controls blindfolded. Cost of Ownership- With a great maintenance program from BMW (who owns MINI) the cost of owning a MINI only boils down to tires and fuel. Unfortunately it runs on premium so your trips to the pump may be a little pricey. But considering it gets 40+ mpg, you wont be making those trips often. Fun factor- The MINI is so much fun. Both from a performance perspective and from a social perspective. Take a test drive to see what I mean about the performance. Socially you will experience a huge network of owners from all over the US.

The mini is cute and the S model has got the get up and go you want. My only issue was storage. It is really small. Not for a main family car. Singles and couples, go for it.

Bigger than it looks inside, handling is fantastic, love the gas mileage- 40mpg+ (highway). Fits in small parking spaces, comfortable on long drives. Visibility is great and I love the fact that the tach is in front of me not hidden someplace. A true driver's car!

The car is small but the space for driver is big. The exterior is good looking and the buttons and interior are well designed. The engine is powerful, reliable. This car is small and I can find it very easy to park.