Not including the Clubman, of course, what 4 door car is the most like the MINI in terms of driving dynamics and performance? This question came up with a friend who wants a MINI but insists he needs a 4 door car...

 

Well, it demends... the BMW 1-series is probably closest, but is REALLY pricey for what you get. I'd certainly include the Clubman, they're a "real" car with more usable space than the MC/MCS (argue if you want)

The old '03 and '035 Mazdaspeed Protege came REALLY close and were smaller in the dollar-footprint category. I had one before I had the Mini and can certainly tell your friend he doesn't need 4 doors.... while the ownership experience is rather different the dynamics were very close. Close-ratio steering rack, about the same power-to-weight, really stiff suspension (stiffer than my '06S, right from the factory!)




Also consider:
- New 4-door Cobalt SS for 2009 (yeah, I know, it's a Chevy, but it's REALLY hard to argue with American-made and 260hp).
- Mazdaspeed 3 (again, hard to argue with horsepressure)
- VW Jetta GLI and GTI, Audi 3 (SWEET cars, beautiful interiors, light on its feet but feels like a clydesdale compared to the Mini)
- BMW 3-series (an icon, any year, they drive great but the Bangle-designed ones look ugly IMHO, YMMV, flamesuit on). Check around for pre-loved BMW 4-doors, they can be had for decent $jing$.,

There are more but, oops, I'm out of time! Should be an interesting thread...

 

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