MINI One vs Fiat 500 on 5th Gear tonight

[mister.t]

I learnt to drive in an R56 One, and it was a hoot to drive, but it felt quite slow. I've driven the Cooper now, and despite the One giving away 0.2 litres and 25bhp, it feels like a lot more - The Cooper has a lot more in gear acceleration and more shove mid-top end. IMO, I believe the 500 only makes sense as a more basic version - I personally wouldn't spend more than £9.5k on one (and thats top end, it'd have to be very special), thats until the Abarth comes out - Which could be as much as £14k. I have huge respect for peoples decisions, if they want to spend £x on a 500, then good luck to them, I hope you enjoy it! Some people would say I'm mad because I would (when I've saved up) spend a lot of money on a Mini - To them its a lot of money for a Mini, but to me, it isn't - Its what I really want and hanker after, and its the same in the 500 camp. I love the 500, its a great little car, but the Mini clinches it for me, it feels more special and I have always had something to do with Mini.

[Mark Elvin]

Quote: Originally Posted by Lawrothegreat (original)

Don't get me wrong the 500 seems like a great little car, but pitching the fastest 500 against the slowest MINI (just because they're the closest in pricing) is not the basis for a track test. .

And the fact that they are both 1400's has nothing to do with it of course. I fail to see your argument, pride taken a bit of a bump?

Fact is, the 1400 500 is quicker that the 1400 Mini, whilst being around £1000 cheaper.

[Mark Elvin]

Quote: Originally Posted by Goonery (original)

I think 'more alive' means more likely to leave you less alive

Not really true, as the 500 is the first small car to get an Ncap 5 star rating.

[Paul]

Actually, with the spec of the press MINIs, I imagine the price difference (and also weight difference) was considerably more than £1k. The 500 comes with a lot more kit as standard vis-a-vis the MINI.

[Mark Elvin]

Quote: Originally Posted by MarkXR (original)

also testing the nissan gtr.

saw my first 500 today and liked it more than I though but not in a MINI way

Oh, that'll be because it's actually made by the same company as the original one!!!!

[bob corbishley]

Dont worry, Autocar did a small car group test a few weeks back (Fiat vs Twingo vs Mazda2) and the the Mazda won by miles. They did do a little side note about the Fiat vs Mini and didn't take it too far due to the price difference but the Mini was in a different league to the Fiat.

Dont forget F.I.A.T. = Fix It Again Tomorrow

[JamesWhelan]

I honestly thought the One would trouce the 500, and was very surprised to see the 500 post a quicker lap time, as the MINI does have a very good chassis. Perhaps the 500's optional wide tyres gave it the extra grip required?

Having driven MINIs (and Minis) over the years, I currently own a new 500, and can say that the 500 is a better proposition for a "very small" car than both the MINI/Mini. The MINI is really too big to make any direct comparison (should be compared with Golfs, etc), and the Mini is unrealistic for modern use as a 2+2 (in fact we sold our Mini 30 to make way for the 500). They are very different cars aimed at different things.

Let's be honest - the "battle" is really about "how superficial are you about wanting the latest chic accessory". The 500 wins that one no sweat. My wife is that superficial.

Quote: Originally Posted by Goonery (original)

I think 'more alive' means more likely to leave you less alive

The 500 has a NCAP 5* rating. Not that it means much, as these ratings are all too contrived for the real world, but if the worst happens it's impressive for such a small car.

[Mark Elvin]

I did test drive both a Mini, a Clubman & a 500.

The Minis were different cars to the 500, but when it came down to it I couldn't figure out where te extra £3000 was going, and Mini's are fairly common now.

I like both cars though.

[Paul]

Quote: Originally Posted by JamesWhelan (original)

The MINI is really too big to make any direct comparison (should be compared with Golfs, etc), and the Mini is unrealistic for modern use as a 2+2 (in fact we sold our Mini 30 to make way for the 500). They are very different cars aimed at different things.

The MINI is smaller than I think you think, it's dimensions are not considerably bigger than a Ford Ka, and quite a bit smaller than the Golf class of cars.

[Fizzoid]

Yeah, it's a fair bit smaller than a Golf, and it's a even a bit smaller than the Polo

[JamesWhelan]

OK, maybe not as big as a Golf, but the MINI is very big and heavy for what was meant to be a Mini repacement.

In that respect one has to give credit to the 500 for being a better "modern equivalent". However, they are both great machines!

[Paul]

Better modern equivalent? I've argued this on NF500 too, as I think they both kind of 'fail' in that regard.

Fiat 500.... Built in Poland, with a front mounted, water cooled engine. MINI... Built in England, front engine, FWD.. But then you could argue for and against both for their retro scores..

[tonywalk]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul (original)

Better modern equivalent? I've argued this on NF500 too, as I think they both kind of 'fail' in that regard.

Fiat 500.... Built in Poland, with a front mounted, water cooled engine. MINI... Built in England, front engine, FWD.. But then you could argue for and against both for their retro scores..

But don't forget it's not the first 500 built in Poland with a front mounted, water cooled engine.

[rainbowdreamer]

Fiat 500 = very, very, very girly!

[Fizzoid]

Quote: Originally Posted by rainbowdreamer (original)

Fiat 500 = very, very, very girly!

I quite like it!