We have a '92 Miata and it's fun to drive but pretty underpowered - always a thrill to wonder if you'll beat out that big truck bearing down on you when you merge onto a busy freeway. (Always have, so far...) But, you can't drive a Miata in Michigan in the winter (unless you're a lot braver or more foolhardy than we are), so it's really my husband's 'summer car'.

My first car was a Civic and I really liked it, but it was pretty utilitarian compared to the Mini.

My 'dream car' has always been the Porsche Turbo Carrera, but I can't even bring myself to think of spending that much on a car! I think the Mini will be the perfect compromise between fun and economy...

 

The GTI. Otherwise, either a Crossfire, a G35 Coupe, or a C320. I have a soft spot for the Volvo C30 as well.

 

I'd have a Miata. The Honda's just have no soul... too much white goods influence...
I don't think I could find a Renault around here, the last one I saw was LeCar and the VW would probably leave me hangin on the side of the road. :(

 

I was looking at the GTI and Audi A3. I definitely wanted a hatch back as my other car is a 964. I could have got a better deal on the VW than the MINI, but my 04 MCS just spoke to me...

J. Tucker
04 Indi Blue MCS
92 Slate Gray Met 964 C2 Coupe

 

Hatchbacks are wonderful. Viola is my first, but I love the quote from Jeremy Clarkson on Top Gear about them. "I love hot hatchbacks because they offer drawback free motoring. You can put a chest of drawers in them, and then take it home at a million miles an hour."

I may never own another sort of car again.

 

a. wrx non sti
b. r32
c. another 240sx

 

D. None of the above.

Don't know what I would have gotten, but certainly none of those three.

 

If those 3 were the only cars in the automotive universe, then the GTI - also was a VW nut.

If not, then a Subie Legacy GT manual, maybe an Outback XT (both are the turbo versions), perhaps an IS300 (the earlier ones) or else something else special and custom.

 

None of them--I don't think any of them have real personalities or are head-turners.

The problem with cars now is that they all look alike. Each one has at least one or two close lookalikes from Japan, Korea, US, Germany, well I think you get it. I see a car on the highway and can't tell the make or model until I get really close.

My Daughter has had Hondas and two of the Mazda 3 hatchbacks and loved the Mazdas. I think Hondas are wonderfully engineered, but boring looking. When my first MC was being fixed I drove an '08 Accord and then an '08 Civic for a total of almost 5 weeks. Lively, sure-footed and comfortable, but BORING.

The Miata is great looking but, like my two seater 'vette convertable, useless except for short trips or days wearing the same clothes and without golf clubs.

My MCS has personality plus.

 

The cars I looked at before buying the MINI are not the same car's I'd jump to now though. The MINI's changed me in a way and now I'm more about the experience of driving rather than the outright speed. These days I'd want a Lotus or a motorcycle if I couldn't drive my MINI every day. The Miata might make my list now too although I haven't driven a newer one. The S2000 might be a good pick too. Before the MINI I was looking for a fast car that could be practical too, now I want something fun to drive, practicality be damned, and maybe a pickup on the side.

 

I'd make the Big financial stretch, and get a Lambo Gallardo. It wouldn't be too bad, because there would be little or no reason to buy aftermarket upgrades.

Oops, scratch that silly idea - I just looked up pricing...

 

wow, im amazed that you guys keep throwing ur opinions about those 3 hatchys'. keep it comin people.

 

2000 Fiat Coupe turbo : It has a direct connection between pressing the accelerator and your jaw dropping to the ground. Just astonishing...

Here's a nice example:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2000-FIAT-COUP...d=p3286.c0.m14

2000 Fiat Barchetta: Fun to drive car. Similar to a Miata, but way more peppy:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2001-FIAT-BARC...d=p3286.c0.m14

Had the opportunity to test drive both while living overseas back in '2000.

Fun, Fun ,Fun!!!

 

I WISH WE HAD RENAULT HERE!!!
Whyd you put that on the list, there not in us : (
i love clios!!! 197whp stock hell yes!

 

looks like a saturn..

 

That's a nice example?

 

Well, not so nice... , kinda banged/beat-up, but just wanted you guys to see an exact year model...

 

Sorry buddy...none of the above

 

Just so you know, GM's european brands are marketed here in the US, mostly as Saturns. Do you remember the Opel brand? Well, Do a search under Opel Omega and see if you find a "Cadillac" Catera, or going a step further, do a search under the GM's new Opel models:

1. (New) Opel GT = Saturn Sky
2. Opel Antara = Saturn Vue
3. Opel Astra = Saturn Astra
4. Another Opel model is the Saturn Aura counterpart, just don't remember it the top of my head...

And the list goes on....

 

If BMW didn't make the MINI, I would get another MGB. I was in the process of looking for another MG when I saw Cassie at the dealer with my then girlfriend (now wife) having her MINI serviced.

 

point proven.

 

I wish we could choose b or c, but in the US we on get the GTi.
I'd love to try out a Renault Clio Cup sometime... looks amazing.
Thats my choice.
There is a Renault/MINI comparison here....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUF8jWqmAB8

 

I also considered these cars when I bought the MINI, except replace the 240sx with an Audi A3 (which I still kinda want).

 

that was my other choice too

 

Cars with 4 seats, mid $20's, and somewhat economical that I'd be looking at to replace my R53 when the time comes, in slightly preferential order:
09 WRX
10 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
07-09 Mazda Speed 3
08-09 Cobalt SS (preferably a Saturn Astra Redline version if produced)
07-09 GTI