Mini or Outback Sport? (Impractical vs Practical)
 

The time has come to replace the Passat.

Our list (this car will be shared with my wife) included the following:[*]More fuel efficient than the Passat[*]At least as fun to drive as the Passat[*]Good in winter (we live in Pittsburgh)[*]Hatchback - we just like 'em.

Our initial list of cars was the base Mini, the Mazda3 5-door, the Ford Focus ZX3, the Subaru Outback Sport, and the VW Golf. Everything we read about the Golf said that it's lackluster, and is being replaced mid-year anyway. The Ford...well...let's just say we haven't been impressed with anything the Big 3 have done in the past 5 years, except the Mustang. The Mazda, we decided looked too "modern" for our tastes, and I was concerned about the tiny little rear windsheild being a visibility problem on the highway.

So, now we're down to two very different $20000 cars. We haven't taken either out on the road yet. The Subaru certainly wins the "practical" battle, but there's just something about the Mini...

For now, it's just me and my wife, and while we're planning on children eventually, not anytime soon. The car would be used primarily for commuting, but also for fairly regular trips to Harrisburg and back - 450 miles roundtrip in a single weekend.

Anyway, just looking for advice. Has anyone driven a Mini in the snow? How is it?

MPEDrummer

I'm a MINI fan. They change the body style a little more this year and possibly will be adding a more wagon type model to it's lineup. That's the speculation...

The Mini is great for two... but there isn't a lot of room in the back if you have kids or like to haul a lot of stuff.

Personally, I'd go with the Mini. If I was going to buy a second car, I'd get a Mini (I have two kids and a big black dog so I need more room).

The Mini wagon will be coming along, but not for another 2 years or so, negating it for your consideration: http://www.motoringfile.com/2006/01/...ficially-a-go/

Personally, I would go for the subaru. I don't know the engines you guys get in the states, but over this side of the pond, there's the 3.0 Spec B, which seems pretty sweet to me. Although the Mini, in its Cooper and Cooper S guises, are some mean little gokarts. It's a tough choice. Go drive them, is all I can say.

Stateside, we only have the 2.5i engine in the Outback Sport. Seriously, the only option on the car is a $500 package that adds a better stereo and a leather steering wheel cover. That said, it does seem that more or less all the necessities and many "nice to haves" are included in the base model.

i wouldn't buy a Mini if i wasn't getting one of the special packages... not even the S package but the Works package. if i was sacrificing that much space i'd want a little rocket... but that's just me.

i vote outback... subaru is nice.

Yeah well, the JCW package adds about $15k to the asking price, which puts it right out of the question.

MPEDrummer

Go with the Subaru. They ride nice, get decent fuel economy, have good resale, perform well and have a "stealth" factor.

The Mini is cramped even in the front seats. Hard to get in and out of if you're tall. The ride is not forgiving over anything with less than perfect pavement. You can't get much in them either, even with the hatchback. There are also way more Subaru dealers (at least around here) than Mini dealers should a warranty issue raise it's head on one of your travels.

I have a close friend that has a BRG w/White roof one. He's had it about a year and is already tired of it. This is a tall, thin adult, and he bought it as a reward to himself. He hardly ever drives it anymore, and in fact, uses his pick-up to go everywhere because it rides so much nicer. He has stated that my Wrangler rides better!

A Mini would make a great second car, but I'd never get one as the ONLY car. The same can be said of the Wrangler BTW.

I dont even know if the mini would make a great second car, as they wouldnt be fast enough for a weekend cruiser.

I'd go for the subaru all the way. and if you really need punch, dont they make a WRX wagon?

They do, it's true...Unfortunately, it loses out on the mileage (26 highway) and also the price (about $5k more than the others). I would imagine it's a blast to drive, but it's not really in the category we're looking at.

It seems, overall, that we're going to get the Subaru, because we'll probably regret the Mini, long term. Doesn't stop me from wanting it, though.

MPEDrummer

Another Subaru vote here! Nothing beats an AWD.

I have an older Outback Sport, and i drove a couple of the newer ones. Most people feel that the newer ones with the 2.5's are actually quicker in daily stoplight to stoplight driving than the base WRX's and are more fun because they actually have some torque. Pretty good handling, chassis is really firm stock, and the AWD is always good fun. I've heard the BMW Mini's are "gokart-like" but I'd be perfectly happy with and Outback sport, and it wouldn't look as silly with my mountain bikes on the top!