Allow me to start by admitting my bias. I personal a 2017 Mini Cooper S that I purchased used, and I like my automotive greater than most. When I used to be looking for a enjoyable, inexpensive, sensible every day driver, my wishlist included Volkswagen GTIs, however my checking account disagreed. The Volkswagen GTI is essentially credited with beginning the new hatch revolution within the Seventies, however Mini launched the zesty Cooper S within the Sixties, with quite a few notable racing wins all through the last decade.
Though the trendy GTI is among the greatest balances of efficiency, practicality, and effectivity in the marketplace in the present day, even used MK7 GTIs are nonetheless too costly for a lot of consumers (me included). Good factor comparable Mini Cooper S hatchbacks are round $10,000 cheaper than GTIs proper, and so they provide larger reliability rankings, comparably enjoyable driving dynamics and comparable hatchback versatility with an rather more zesty character.
Let’s begin with some titillating statistical comparisons. The facelift mannequin of the previous-gen GTI had 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and it weighed round 3,100 kilos. The modern Mini Cooper S had 189 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque, however it weighed a couple of hundred kilos lower than the GTI. Car and Driver recorded a 6.2-second 0-to-60-mph time once they examined an computerized Cooper S four-door hatchback in 2015, whereas a DSG-equipped 2015 GTI achieved a 5.6-second 0-to-60 time.
So the Mini is slower in a straight line, and possibly round a observe too, however real-life driving doesn’t contain acceleration occasions or scorching laps, it contains commuting and sitting in site visitors and sometimes taking your automotive out to the canyons on an early morning. Flip the automotive into Sport mode and the throttle sharpens, the suspension stiffens (if it has adaptive dampers), and the steering weights up, prepping you for a grin-inducing romp wherever you’re going.
I can zip round road corners with ease, squirt by way of site visitors and simply match into most parking areas, and it’s a pleasure within the canyons, too. The Mini is so playful, and that’s what you need in a automotive. It doesn’t take itself too severely, and although it may not be as quick as a GTI, you’ll nonetheless be having a blast each time you get behind the wheel.
The legend of the GTI is well-known, and used automotive costs mirror that. (It doesn’t assist that the brand new MK8 mannequin hasn’t been as nicely acquired because the earlier mannequin.) Hot hatches have grown costlier, so the used market is the place to search out inexpensive scorching hatches, and that’s the place you’ll discover Mini Cooper S fashions for a lot decrease costs than GTIs. Even four-door Mini Cooper S hatches are cheaper than most comparable GTIs and supply comparable practicality.
Aside from preliminary affordability on the used market, Mini has labored its method as much as the third most dependable producer in the marketplace, based on Consumer Reports, solely trailing reliability legends Toyota and Lexus. Volkswagen, in stark distinction, positioned fourth-from-last in reliability rankings — yikes. I purchased my 2017 Mini Cooper S with underneath 50,000 miles, and now it’s pushing 91,000. All I’ve needed to exchange are an engine mount, a water pump, and the sunroof toggle swap.
So for those who’re out there for an inexpensive, economical, dependable and enjoyable small hatchback that comfortably suits a 6’8” driver behind the wheel, look out for the Mini Cooper S. You gained’t miss out on the Volkswagen GTI’s reliability, worth, or conventional seems inside or out. The Mini presents simply as gratifying of a driving expertise and it oozes character. Just stick to 2015 or newer Minis, since that’s once they obtained the BMW B48 turbocharged inline-4 that contributed to Minis laudable reliability rankings.
Source: jalopnik.com