Last night as I was coming home from work, I was cut off by a MINI Cooper convertible right by a high school. And the first thing I thought was “What a spoiled little brat,” then I got to thinking, I actually wouldn’t mind having one (although it couldn’t be a convertible, because let’s face it, if you are a dude, you look like a hairdresser in one of those. You might as well drive a VW Beetle). The main reason I’d have one is the car has character. Sure it may not be as cool and quirky as an old one, but there’s something about it that is quite appealing. Something that differentiates it from just some ordinary econobox. Although, it isn’t an econobox. The base price starts at $18,000, which is quite expensive for a car that barely comes to my hips.
So what this post is about is what are some alternative MINIs. Car that are small and economical, and also a hoot to drive and own. Europe gets a crap ton of alternate choices, while us Yanks get pretty slim pickin’s. So here are my top five eccentric choices for a cheap car that makes you smile.
#5 Nissan Versa
This is at the bottom of the list mostly for its very forgettable looks and the fact that even though I’m pretty affluent in the car culture, I couldn’t remember for the life of me what the heck its name was. It does pretty well in the economic realm with a base price $12,810 and an MPG rating of 27/33 city/highway, but that isn’t what this comparo is about. Nothing that looks that much like a minivan could be fun. You might as well buy a Chevy Aveo.
#4 Saturn Astra
I have to say I think this car looks pretty good in the three door version but loses some of those looks in the five door. Its just as green but not to boring. Its starting price is a few grand more than the Versa at $15,995, but if you go for the three door, which is the one you want for style’s sake, its even more at $18,495. So in that case you might as well just get the MINI.
#3 Scion XD
Now this one on looks, is top notch. I personally think ti is the best looking of the Scion brand, and with all the extra throw on equipment that you can order from Scion, it can be made to be a very unique and special car. The thing with being unique is that it usually comes at a price. And at a base of$15,170, the price will go up very quickly with extras. But if exclusivity is something that interest you, maybe it’s worth it.
And its a Toyota product which means it will last for ever. So if you buy one, you’d better be in it for the long run.
#2 VW Rabbit (Although Golf sounds a bit more macho)
Now I like the Golf , not because its got spoilers and bright colors like the others, but because its got class. There’s something about it that just seems grown up. It’s not the cheapest, but it does seem like the most well made with a quality feel that seems to be missing from the others. It’s also the most powerful but in turn it hurts the most at the pump. It’s not bad by any means, but in this group its seems a bit of a glutton. Nonetheless, it’s a great deal and a great car.
#1 Honda Fit
With a base price of $13,950 its one of the cheapest here, but with those looks and the fun factor that is just oozing off of it, it easily takes my number one spot. Let’s just call it the little Japanese MINI. It doesn’t have the customizing features of the Scion, or the class and elegance of the Golf, but what it lacks there it makes up for in sheer fun. There’s no other way to put it. If I had to buy a funky little cheap car, I’d pick the reliable little Honda every time.
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