I'm a sucker for small cars. Not only can you zip in and out of lanes with them, you can also easily parallel park in tight spots. Or, if some jerk parks too close to you (that's been happening a lot to me lately), no worries there. Did I mention how much gas you'll save?For the best small car out there, my vote goes to Mini Cooper. Ever since I watched 'The Italian Job,' Mini Cooper is on my list to get if I ever have a three-car garage. I bet a lot of people got Mini Coopers after they saw that movie. Why wouldn't they? They're fast (OK, if you have Mini Cooper S), they have nice interior and exterior features, they have plenty of customized accessories and they're just so cute!
Apparently my sentiment toward the Mini is echoed by many people. It tops our list as the most searched small car on AOL Search. Looking at the list below, I wish that Volkswagen Rabbit was in the top 10. I think that's the second cutest car out there ... maybe it's the rabbit logo on the back of the car that got me. What is with me today? I'm just super sentimental.
Back to Mini Cooper, I've been searching online for a rumored Mini Cooper with four doors, and the latest I've heard is it may come to the U.S. in 2008. Do you know if that's true?
Which would you vote for the best small car out there?
Last month's top searched small cars on AOL Search:
1. Mini Cooper
2. Ford Focus
3. Honda Fit
4. Toyota Yaris
5. Nissan Versa
6. Toyota Matrix
7. Volkswagen Beetle
8. Kia Rio
9. Chevy Aveo
10. Honda Insight
See sponsored links for: small cars, car loans, auto insurance companies.
To check out more small cars, go to AOL Autos. Also search for small cars, Mini Cooper and Ford Focus on AOL Search.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 6)
1. I'm a sucker for small cars too, especially hatchbacks. I fell in love with the Ford Aspire the first time I ever saw one waaaaay back in 94. I now own a 95 Aspire, but it's time to retire it after many years of faithful service. I've been shopping around for small cars for a couple months. My favorite so far would have to be the Ford Focus zx5, since it has 4 doors and a decent cargo area. Plus it looks like an evolved version of my beloved Aspire. I liked the Aveo too, but it just seemed kind of boxy looking compared to the sporty little Focus. The Minis are cute for sure but no way I could afford one.
Posted at 9:12PM on Jul 8th 2007 by shorty
2. The Scion Xa is really cute, too. My sister got one last year and loves it. They are made by Toyota, BTW.
Posted at 8:06PM on Jul 9th 2007 by LA
3. I own a Toyota Matrix & a Toyota Yaris!! Love them both! Would never again own a large car! These cars are fun to drive and the Yaris gets 40mpg!
Posted at 8:11PM on Jul 9th 2007 by floweracer
4. i love mini cooper.wanted to buy one.would have to travel 45 miles to get car serviced.
Posted at 8:26PM on Jul 9th 2007 by david webb
5. I think that Toyotas are overrated. The Scion doesn't have space for you to rest the left foot. Furthermore, none of the new Toyotas have a 10yr/100,000 warranty. Hyundai, on the other hand does. My choice of a small car is the Elantra.
Posted at 8:30PM on Jul 9th 2007 by Stephen
6. I drive a Suzuki Aerio SX (quite similar to Toyota's Matrix). Love it! Amazingly, I don't see too many of them on the road, nor hear mention of them. Although it looks a bit like a mini-van, it is more like a hatchback on steroids. Great mileage, and it is very roomy and comfortable.
Posted at 8:36PM on Jul 9th 2007 by Frank
7. The Dodge Caliber is a great 4 door small car. But big interior with fold down seats in the back.
Posted at 8:39PM on Jul 9th 2007 by MaryLouise
8. I LOVE my MiniCooperS - it is the my most wonderful ride ever!! It is a 2005 and has only been serviced twice. I drove 55 minutes to get it & have it serviced and it is worth it. It's super fast, nible, stylish and FUN - life is too short not to have fun!
Posted at 8:40PM on Jul 9th 2007 by Sandie
9. I have owned a Mini Cooper for a few years after looking into purchasing a VW Beetle. Without a doubt this is my all time favorite car! I must add that I also drive a '99 Suburban I purchased when gas was under a dollar! Obviously the Sub is to transport our family of six, the Cooper is just for Mom! I drive it from April to early December due to the New England weather. Every April my family swears they notice a bigger smile on my face!!!
Highly recommend!
Posted at 8:52PM on Jul 9th 2007 by Lu
10. I own a Honda Fit, and it's a great car. Terrific mileage, easy to drive, wonderful maintenance and a HUGE amount of space. I wanted a Scion XA, but the extra space in the Fit sold it for me.
Posted at 8:59PM on Jul 9th 2007 by ldbozwolfe
11. I would buy a Honda Fit today if it had a sunroof. It astounds me how a car that looks so cute and compact from the outside can be so voluminous inside -- and with 21 c.f. of cargo space -- with the seats UP!!!! That's amazing.
I like the Scion Xa, but the cargo space is shrimpy; I'm waiting to find out more about the Xd. I expect to replace my 1995 Neon with a new small car in the next year or two; but my Neon still gets 26mpg, which isn't bad considering the mileages on the road today. That's the one thing that puts me off the Matrix (I love the looks and space of this car) but I haven't heard of any real-world reports of mileage over 23.
I heard a radio commercial today about the Caliber -- and how if you don't care about having a "cute car" or a car you can "cuddle with" or expect clowns to jump out of when you drive up, get a Caliber. Pretty cute ad, actually -- it made me laugh. And I'd consider a Caliber; I like the look and some features.
Posted at 8:59PM on Jul 9th 2007 by Catlady 5
12. I won a Scion XA and it is the best small car I've ever owned. It has alot more room than you would think, and the gas mileage is great. My son is 6'2 and he can ride in the back seat. The inside is much bigger because you give up the trunk.. well most of it anyway. I would buy another in a heartbeat. Now.. if I could afford it I would get a cooper.. they are soo cute!!
Posted at 9:03PM on Jul 9th 2007 by PWebInMN
13. I meant.. I own one.. wish I had won it! lol
Posted at 9:04PM on Jul 9th 2007 by PWebInMN
14. I have a 2007 MINI Cooper S. I LOVE IT!!! It's the best car (of more than 10) that I have ever owned, starting with a 1974 MGB/GT. It is fast, handles well, and is fun to drive. It's BMW's version of a luxury go-cart. Is it safe? The insurance industry thinks so. My medical and liability coverage is less than each of my other three cars (2 large sedans and 1 SUV), for the exact same coverage. Must have something to do with the 6 airbags, oversize brakes and dynamic stability control. And the 320-watt stereo (with iPod adaptor) is excellent!
Posted at 9:04PM on Jul 9th 2007 by Rick
15. We just bought a Rabbit. Great highway mileage! Nothing special otherwise...should have gone for the Cooper S!
Posted at 9:08PM on Jul 9th 2007 by Sydney
16. We bought a Rabbit! Great highway mileage. Not much else.
Posted at 9:09PM on Jul 9th 2007 by Sydney
17. Of all the tiny cars in the world that I could want to own, my favorite is not sold in America--it is the Smart car!!! It has a full front seat (made by Mercedes Benz) and a tiny space in the rear for packages and shopping. Not meant for long distance, it is the perfect car for the big city! It has great mileage, and many interchangeable parts--I love it! I can hardly wait til it is available in the U.S.!!
Posted at 9:16PM on Jul 9th 2007 by maxene
18. Had a 1967 Austin Mini many years ago...and overseas always rented a Mini to drive around, Australia or Catalina Island...they had the Mini Mokes... Always a sports car buff, 1968 Austin Healey Sprite, learned to drive in a 1932 MG/TD in England. My Cooper slows on only the really steep hills but shift into 4th and still maintain 70... I already have 22250 miles...so due for another maintenance (the second one) in a month or so...and yes, over 75 miles from me but they give me a loaner... Excellent car and always the top down... I admit a bit pricey but well worth the investment, check what used Mini Coopers are going for! And the added factor of teh comments which are thrown my way... "Cute car"... So even real men drive Mini's!
Posted at 9:19PM on Jul 9th 2007 by OldGob
19. We won (yes won) a Honda Fit. At first we thought it was a goofy little car, but after driving it around town we love it. It's a little rough on the road (i call it a go-cart) but it's so much fun to drive. Great gas mileage, lots of room for a runt, and very easy to park. I live in an area where it snows about 6-8 mo a year, so we'll see what it does in the snow, i'm sure it it gets too deep we will drive the 4x, but for the rest of the year it is great. We would buy another small car !!!
Posted at 9:22PM on Jul 9th 2007 by mbmbird
20. I have an Hyundai Accent. With manual transmission it gets 43 miles per gallon. I can sacrifice some space and other amenities for that.
Posted at 9:23PM on Jul 9th 2007 by Peter