Just got a peek at the Nissan Versa today. It was a contender when I shopped for my MINI, but I decided I _really_ wanted an 06 MCS and could live without comparing it when the Versa came out--since that might mean missing the 07 changeover date.

Doesn't look too bad, but the online configurator is bizarre. Why are ABS brakes and the sunroof mutually exclusive? And why can't you get a sunroof without also getting satellite radio?! Ugh--there's no way I could've built one to my specs. I'm glad I didn't wait to see it before getting my MCS!

 

is that the miniaturized Nissan minivan looking thing?

 

It's a compact 5-door:

http://www.nissanusa.com/versa/exterior.html

I guess it could look like a mini minivan... (different, of course, from a MINI minivan, which I hope we never see!)

 

hummmm...




i prefer the Maz5 look...



now everyone's scratching their heads.... they look the same (?)

 

I prefer to walk

 

For looks alone I'd go with a Ford SportKa.

 

It actually drove quite nicely. They didn't have a standard for me to drive so I tested an automatic with the Continuous Variable Transmission. It was smooth. Had the ride of a much larger car. Not sporty feeling when driving but still nice. The biggest selling point of it was how HUGE it is inside. If I were looking for a small car that got great mileage that would hold five people comfortably, or a couple of car seats with ease I'd sure consider it. My husband had the seat all the way back and I was behind him and still had three or four inches between my knees and the seat (I'm not small either... lol). It seriously has some room in it.

 

lol!!!

 

That's what I originally set out to find--a compact 5 door with lots of room and great gas mileage. But after looking at all the options--Nissan Versa, Honda Fit, Ford Focus, VW Rabbit, Scion xA, etc.--I decided that none got me nearly as excited as the MINI, so I could live with less room and only 3 doors...I'll find out in the next week or two how that decision works for me...

 

The Versa has an extremely nice interior. It's got everything - features/amenities, materials, design, and space.