If YOU Had To Choose, Fiat 500 Vs. NEW Ford Focus Vs. Hyundai Elantra Vs. MINI Cooper?

From reading this post I would like to get the Mini Cooper because I think it a really cool and fast little car. Who wouldn't want a Mini Cooper after they watch the movie the "Italian Job"? But I kind of like the way the Ford Fiesta look a look, especially the front end.

If I have to choose, I would go with either the Mini Cooper or Ford Fiesta, I have to drive both of this car to find out which one is more fun to drive and easier to live with.

Can't really say until all have been driven. I own an 06 Cooper S and have driven the newer Cooper S from 2007. Frankly I like my car better in terms of styling and interior dashboard. The newer car has better seats,it rides a little better. Performance is similar as my car is slightly moded up.In reality though I should be comparing the base Cooper to the rest. First to go based on on car reviews would be the Elantra. Suspension is probably too soft(like a Corolla that it is really being or should be compared to). Engine wise it should have similar performance to a base Mini or 500 (9 seconds 0-60). I'm predicting that both the base Mini and the 500 should handle better then the Elantra. From what I've read of the new Focus it should perform better then either the base Mini or 500. But honestly it is really not a valid comparison as both the Focus and Elantra compete in the B segment in size and the Mini and 500 compete in the smaller A segment in size.The Mini and the 500 are all about style and charm being retro styled to their original bretheren. The Focus and Elantra compete in terms of quietness,refinement. The Focus is more aggressivly styled then the Hyundai. Also it is more powerful and has slightly better performance(160 HP VS 138). It probably handles better as well as it uses Fords original (European based) control blade suspension. So I would take a Focus over the Elantra. As for the other 2 I'm not as much of a fan of the redesigned 07 Mini body style or it's interior(save the better seats). Since the Fiat weighs a little less it's performance is similar,it probably handles close to the base Cooper(500 Sport version),it has slightly better rear room and larger rear cargo space. I like it's funky dash more then the Mini's. Also it is on average 4 grand cheaper. I pick the 500. As for the Focus and 500 I'd probably own both,the former as the family hauler and the latter for picking up women.(The 500 has the cute factor down).

The "Italian" Fiat 500 for the U.S. is being built at a Chrysler plant... in Mexico.

And a lot of the Chefs at Mario Bataii's restaurants are Mexican. So your point is?

001

What kind of 'comparison' is that?

There are two distinctly different classes of car list here: Compact and Sub-Compact.

We're assuming the person could afford any one of these and would not buy because of only price.

For example, a lot of MINI drivers can afford S-Classes but they CHOOSE to buy the MINI.

We want to know which car they think is best and would want as their driver.

001

Great choice, but why?

1.Focus/Elantra (tie)
2.Mini (very close second)
3.500

Exactly what I was going to write.

Sorry the Fiat would be last, it has to be the smallest ugly car I have ever seen!

This would be my preference also -- the Fiat is just plain ugly...

Mini>Focus>Elantra>500

Honestly you cant go wrong with any of these.

Each car will attract wildly different audiences.

Mini, though not the most reliable car, has that cool, fun factor and plays to a heritage American's are familiar with. But remember, even Mini has a limited market and is having to expand (in size and models) in order to grow.

Ford and Hyundai will attract more regular buyers that may cross-shop Honda, Nissan or Toyota--not Mini's.

Fiat/Chyrsler will, I'm afraid, be just a flash in the pan because few consumers will relate to the Italian car's heritage or reason for being.

Therefore, the car will have to stake out it's own unique market image. The car's "cuteness" factor may make the Fiat's true competition the upcoming (New, New) Beetle--a car that attracts a relatively small, primarily female, market.

Fiat/Chyrsler will, I'm afraid, be just a flash in the pan because few consumers will relate to the Italian car's heritage or reason for being.

correct and also the Fiat seams to has the worst fuel economy of them all.

If gas hits $5.00 a gallon, I think all 4 of them will be flying off of dealers lots. The 500 will work if it is reliable. Fiat has an uphill image battle, and getting this one right will go a long way to reparing that image. All that said, I think I would probably go with the Mini.

Apples and oranges, really. Hyundai is mainstream, nothing sporty. Fiesta bumps it up a notch from there, but I'm not sure ford is offering a great value in this car. Also, not confident in the resale value.
I like the Fiat. However some here have said the interior is lacking. I suppose in order to keep the price low, something's got to give. Is this an enthusiast's car or one for the same crowd that bought the smart??
Mini Coopers are really a cheaper BMW. I had a Cooper and loved it. I think that if small cars ever really take off in the USA, there will naturally be a market for premium compacts/sub-compacts. Mini has proven that you can have luxury in a small car.
The Focus looks so promising. Ford get with the sport options/pkgs, etc.
Keep the price competitive. Ford is the only American make I would shop right now.

Where's the GTI option?

I've only driven one - the MINI. Torque steer was terrible - so, it wouldn't be the Mini. Focus and 500 look promising. My choice would depend on driving dynamics.

The Hyundai is for the normal person. Someone who can do their own research and can see the value in the car after comparisons.

The Ford is the option for your normal buyer who has the sort of friends who think buying american cars can solve all our problems. Even though the bonuses from those companies going to wall street is precisely why we're in trouble, but I digress.

Mini is for your skinny jean wearing, oversized shades adorning, hipster who needs to be different for difference's sake. They are the sort of person who have no character or substance and therefore desires to fake it with a very particular or flashy car.

The Fiat 500 is for your women's jean wearing, europhile, metahipster who looks at the Mini hipster and thinks, "this guy is sooo mainstream." It doesn't matter that we have more space than we need here in the U.S. and don't need small cars like in Europe but they'll buy it anyway because they think people will look at them and that's really what they've always wanted since being ignored by their parents all their lives.

It's okay, mooseknuckle jean metahipster, your ride has finally arrived.

Mini>... none of the rest.

The Ford and the Hyundai are econoboxes that I'd walk before consider owning and the the 500 is just plain silly.