[speeder]

I haven't owned a Mini but know plenty of people who have and I've driven them. I had the use of a 2008 Cooper S Clubman for a while last year.

I just don't like them. They certainly have some redeeming qualities and handle OK for a FWD car, but the design and execution really leave me cold. The torque-steer sucks. The switches and ergonomics suck. It seems like everything in the car was designed to be "cute" rather than functional. Quirky for the sake of quirky. It's the anti-German car, even the anti-Japanese car. And not in a good way.

I realize that I'm on the extreme end with these cars, I really can't stand them. I'd rather have nearly any other car in their segment, from a WRX to a GTI to any sporty Honda Civic. I think that Hondas are twice the car.

And yeah, if you're getting 27 mpg at current fuel prices, what would you have to get to notice the savings? 50-60 mpg? You can't be spending much on fuel.