Or Automobile, as you strange folk insist in calling the motor car.

So, Mini Cooper S, or the Citreon DS3 Sport?

They are European cars btw. :-)

Can I throw in another option?

Ford Focus RS.....

...and what have you got against the WRX?

GTi?

I like small cars, Dave. Take a look at the average European street width and you would understand. Nothing against the models you mentioned, but most of the reviews make the Cooper S or JCW unbeatable on twisty roads.
What i'm looking for is twisty country road fun. Most of my driving is on narrow urban roads, and roller-coaster country roads.
I don't obey speed limits. :-)
Cool is a factor too, so i think the Mini Cooper S will win. Going for another test drive tomorrow.

Edited by MikefaeDundee on 02/15/2013 13:31:19 MST.

In Canada, the Mini sells. The Cooper S does well as does the Countryman - given the AWD. My neighbour has a JC Works Cooper S and it goes like stink (get that one Mike!).

The reason why I suggested the Ford is that the one we get here will run circles around the Cooper S. It is considerably faster in a straight line (250+ HP) but where it really excels is through the corners. It will easily rotate the rear although it is a FWD car.

Are you looking for FWD? If you would consider RWD, the Subaru BR-Z or Toyota Twin is quick, almost perfectly balanced, has RWD, and looks like Ferrari made it (in 1975...). The best thing is that it should be cheaper than the Cooper S. Not trying to talk you out of it, just providing options (BTW, the VW GTi is just as good as the Cooper but rides worlds better).

I test drive a lot of cars....; )

BMW 3 series? basically the same car, same price but less gimmicky/cool. Having driven both I think I would go with a 3 series personally just because more back room and I prefer the interior but might not be small enough for what you want?

The Mini has no overhang. Each wheel is at a corner. The handling is superb because of this.
Can you tell i'm leaning towards the Cooper S? I'm not keen on the look of the JCW, but you can get a Cooper S set up exactly the same, sports chassis. etc.C

The BMW 3 drives nothing like a Mini, Samuel. :-)

Indeed, my english teacher 'back in the day' had the cooper S with the jcw package. I was jealous. haha

Yeah, FWD only mate. I like to let my arse hang out! :-)

Hang your arse out, then you need RWD. FWD can't cope with turning and accelerating at the same time.

Unless you use the hand brake....heh, heh.

What colour are you getting?

I'm leaning towards subtle Silver White, with Black roof, Black bonnet/hood stripes, mirrors and trim. Black 17" alloys, sports suspension and go like feck extras.
I'm not interested in the music side of driving.

"I'm not interested in the music side of driving."

I've never been a hood strips kinda guy. I made them remove mine when I bought one.

But no music. Dood. There's simply nothing like screaming along an excessively curvy road with the top down and blaring Wagner's "The Ride of the Valkyries" - especially at night....

What i was meaning was you could pay an extra $3000 for a 'Media' package. You get a better music system, and hands free USB phone/music/voice protocol. Bollocks.
I would rather pay the extra for a truer driving experience.
A snarling engine is sweet music.

Edited by MikefaeDundee on 02/15/2013 14:33:04 MST.

Funny, we tend to say colour in Canucksville. Ironically, when I typed in color, my iPad auto corrected.

What about getting a Scottish flag painted on the roof. It is really the right thing to do.

This is the one :
http://www.fiat.com.au/abarth


Did you know that Enzo Ferrari used to drive a Mini Cooper ?

Edited by Franco on 02/15/2013 14:40:34 MST.

The Independence vote is coming up in 2014. Scotland has a nasty Unionist minority that would kill my car for sporting a Saltire.

Support Scotlands struggle for Independence! :-)

It's an ugly fecker though Franco.
And it is more sheep than wolf.

I prefer the Wolf in Labrador Retriever clothing vibe.

Ugly ?
How about now ?

Hey Franco, as an Ozzie, you must have heard of Beer Goggles?
Sometimes everything looks sweet from the back.

It's onl;y 9:20 AM here, so I won't have my third pint till 10.
Anyway I am not an Aussie, just a guest here due to FAMILY connections
Now buy that Abarth or else.