A Used Mini Cooper S Is The Cheaper, Sillier GTI Alternative You’re Overlooking

Allow me to begin by admitting my bias. I own a 2017 Mini Cooper S that I bought used, and I love my car more than most. When I was shopping for a fun, affordable, practical daily driver, my wishlist included Volkswagen GTIs, but my bank account disagreed. The Volkswagen GTI is largely credited with starting the hot hatch revolution in the 1970s, but Mini introduced the zesty Cooper S in the 1960s, with numerous notable racing wins throughout the decade.

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Though the modern GTI is one of the best balances of performance, practicality, and efficiency on the market today, even used MK7 GTIs are still too expensive for many buyers (me included). Good thing comparable Mini Cooper S hatchbacks are around $10,000 cheaper than GTIs right, and they offer higher reliability rankings, comparably fun driving dynamics and similar hatchback versatility with an much more zesty personality.

Let’s start with some titillating statistical comparisons. The facelift model of the previous-gen GTI had 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and it weighed around 3,100 pounds. The contemporary Mini Cooper S had 189 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque, but it weighed a few hundred pounds less than the GTI. Car and Driver recorded a 6.2-second 0-to-60-mph time when they tested an automatic Cooper S four-door hatchback in 2015, while a DSG-equipped 2015 GTI achieved a 5.6-second 0-to-60 time.

So the Mini is slower in a straight line, and probably around a track too, but real-life driving doesn’t involve acceleration times or hot laps, it includes commuting and sitting in traffic and occasionally taking your car out to the canyons on an early morning. Flip the car into Sport mode and the throttle sharpens, the suspension stiffens (if it has adaptive dampers), and the steering weights up, prepping you for a grin-inducing romp wherever you’re going.

I can zip around street corners with ease, squirt through traffic and easily fit into most parking spaces, and it’s a joy in the canyons, too. The Mini is so playful, and that’s what you want in a car. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, and though it might not be as fast as a GTI, you’ll still be having a blast every time you get behind the wheel.

Photo: Logan Carter

The legend of the GTI is well known, and used car prices reflect that. (It doesn’t help that the new MK8 model hasn’t been as well received as the previous model.) Hot hatches have grown more expensive, so the used market is where to find affordable hot hatches, and that’s where you’ll find Mini Cooper S models for much lower prices than GTIs. Even four-door Mini Cooper S hatches are cheaper than most comparable GTIs and provide similar practicality.

Aside from initial affordability on the used market, Mini has worked its way up to the third most reliable manufacturer on the market, according to Consumer Reports, only trailing reliability legends Toyota and Lexus. Volkswagen, in stark contrast, placed fourth-from-last in reliability rankings — yikes. I bought my 2017 Mini Cooper S with under 50,000 miles, and now it’s pushing 91,000. All I’ve had to replace are an engine mount, a water pump, and the sunroof toggle switch.

So if you’re in the market for an affordable, economical, reliable and fun small hatchback that comfortably fits a 6’8” driver behind the wheel, look out for the Mini Cooper S. You won’t miss out on the Volkswagen GTI’s reliability, price, or traditional looks inside or out. The Mini offers just as enjoyable of a driving experience and it oozes character. Just stick with 2015 or newer Minis, since that’s when they got the BMW B48 turbocharged inline-4 that contributed to Minis laudable reliability rankings.