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2009 Mini v. 2009 Honda Fit Sport
I could use some help from Mini owners. We are having a hard time deciding whether to purchase the 2009 Mini, or the 2009 Honda Fit Sport. a large part of the issue (most of it, really) is price -- at the outset, monthly, and over time. We have two kids, ages 6 and 3. I'm not worried about fitting the car seats, and the practicalities of the Mini as a family car -- we have a Suburu wagon as a second car, which will work for carpooling, long trips etc.
the Mini is approximately $3000 more than the 09 Fit. while that may not seem like much, for us it is -- a couple thousand more for the downpayment, and $30-$40 more per month. while i can figure out ways to make that work, what scares me is the possibility of huge maintenance costs after the 3 year agreement is up. My research indicates that Hondas suffer minimal maintenance costs, are easily repaired, and last a long time. we tend to keep our cars for a long time, and would like to keep doing so.
all the practicalities are pulling us in the direction of the Fit. the main interest in the Mini is aesthetic -- but i don't want to downplay the importance of that. neither of us has ever owned a fun car that we loved to drive.
the new car will be used primarily for my commute (80 miles, 3 days a week), and for puttering around the city on the weekend.
so: given the higher cost, and how tight our budget will be just purchasing the Mini, do the maintenance costs over the years make this a stupid purchase?
all advice is appreciated.
the Mini is approximately $3000 more than the 09 Fit. while that may not seem like much, for us it is -- a couple thousand more for the downpayment, and $30-$40 more per month. while i can figure out ways to make that work, what scares me is the possibility of huge maintenance costs after the 3 year agreement is up. My research indicates that Hondas suffer minimal maintenance costs, are easily repaired, and last a long time. we tend to keep our cars for a long time, and would like to keep doing so.
all the practicalities are pulling us in the direction of the Fit. the main interest in the Mini is aesthetic -- but i don't want to downplay the importance of that. neither of us has ever owned a fun car that we loved to drive.
the new car will be used primarily for my commute (80 miles, 3 days a week), and for puttering around the city on the weekend.
so: given the higher cost, and how tight our budget will be just purchasing the Mini, do the maintenance costs over the years make this a stupid purchase?
all advice is appreciated.
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This discussion has been closed.
Comments
The Mini gets comparable mileage, and is definitely a more fun car to drive, even the non-S version, but you'll need to add about $1250 to the Mini's base for the Premium Pac for A/C, cruse, and sunroof.
JD Power says the '09 Fit has a sunroof, but I haven't seen anyone confirm that. (I really want a sunroof)
Although this will primarily be a get-to-work car, I need enough room to load a large Ice Chest and 2-3 bags, and 2 or 3 of us for trips to our mountain cabin. The Clubman or the Fit have the room, but the Fit is far roomier.
Consumer reports say both are reliable, but customer testimonials aren't so kind to the Mini. The British make beautiful cars, but they just aren't as reliable as Honda.
Both exclude the spare tire in '09. The CLubman comes with runflats (yech). I don't know what the Fit will have.
Cooper has a very good safety rating. My insurance agent says that the Mini's insurance will be about $50/yr cheaper than the Fit.
The '09 base Clubman lists for $20850, $22100 with the A/C package. I'm also seriously considering the Sport Pac for another $1500, bringing my new base price to $23600. I'm told that the '09 Fit Sport will be about $17000.
I like the Mini more, I just haven't determined if I like it $6600 more. I've test-driven both 3 times, and I still can't decide.
If the ‘09 Fit gets a sunroof, I think that will tip the scales for me.
i would love to get the Mini sunroof. unfortunately, due to the regrettable fact that i've never learned to drive stick, i need to purchase the d*amn automatic -- which costs $1500 more than the base price. i could of course try to learn between now and when the car arrives...in between getting one kid ready for a new school, potty training the other one, starting up teaching again, etc etc. you get the idea.
the long-term maintenance costs of the Mini scare me. its probably the main thing keeping me from pulling the trigger on it.
It turns out that this topic has been discussed before at
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/WebX/.f0c3598/142
Good Luck
romaine
Both Fit & Clubman are great but it' not possible to directly compare.
Re: Spare tire - the MINIs have runflats & the Fit gives you are fixaflat kit (really lousy solution). For either, I'd buy a spare separately.
Re: Fit is now on sale, and there is no sunroof option listed.
Re: msantow, I am sorry you don't drive stick. But I love manual yet I'm getting the Clubman S automatic. Long story.
Re: rik4 - absolutely correct on the logic.
Re: amazinglyfit - also absolutely correct on everything. I just moved from Sacto to KY, and I didn't know Niello MINI stinks. A good reason for you to go with the Fit.
ALL: This is my view on this discussion: I'm keeping this next car 10 yrs. In 10 yrs, NONE of the decent cars will be a gas-only vehicle (hybrids, plug-in electrics, etc.). The Clubman ("S" version in my case) is the last hurrah for a gas-only "yippeee" car while still getting Fit-like mileage. I'll get the Clubman S this time, and in 10 years I'll buy Honda.
Cheers,
ltq
Spare Tire: The Fit DOES have a spare.
Sunroof: None that I know of. I have a 2009 Sport and I didn't have the option of picking one
DSC: No DSC on the Fit without navi.
Audio Controls: Fit only has steering wheel audio with the navi.
The odd thing is that a friend of mine just got a Mini Clubman (non S) with just about all the bells and whistles. He spent almost $10K more than me!
If anyone has any questions about the Fit feel free to ask.
But does the Clubman S get Fit-like mileage?
He got lots of bells and whistles and his average speed display says he's running an average of about 35mph.
So far the answer is yes. (GRIN)
The Base Price for a Honda Fit is $15,220.
Both include destination.
$5,630 base difference.
Just on a transport level the Fit is a much better deal (if you don't want Stability Control). The interior space is much more versatile in the Fit too. I tell you one thing, if you want gadgets you have to go with the Clubman. You can order every conceivable gadget. My friend basically got the base clubman and checked a ton of boxes. Nice ride, not my gig. I need the 4 doors myself. He's a DINK and has cats, no need for a 4 door HB.
I just got my Clubman S automatic, and posted 33mpg mixed driving (based on actual gas fillups), which agreed with the onboard display. I don't know about the non-turbo, but the turbo has very high torque in an exceptionall wide band of 1500-5500revs, and this helps the automatic (or manual) "short-shift" to get great gas mileage, if you are light on the pedal.
There are several reports (Greencars.com, mpg.com, etc.) around where they easily beat the EPA estimates (not on the Clubman, but on the Hatch S). I'd say that is also true for the Clubman S. If you drive sprited, I'd also say that it will do much worse. In fact, it is this Jekyll-Hyde character (YOU choose!) that I like. With the Fit, you are stuck on Economy mode. You don't choose.
Both Fit and Clubman are great. Both are defensible from their respective points of view. If some occassional flat-out fierce driving isn't important to you, the Fit is a much better "fit".
Good luck!!!
With the Fit Sport with paddle shifters, you can quickly downshift to kick in the VTEC...so you do have a choice.
Lots of fun. I'm looking forward to the end of the break in period so I can really let 'er rip. She's kinda weak, but she's willing and that makes her fun.
That's not what I meant. I meant 170hp/177 lb-ft of torque on the Clubman S (automatic or not) gives you the dual character. The engine on the Fit gets you stuck in the economy mode, as with the regular Clubman. It has nothing to do with the transmission.
If I was interested in a Mini Cooper, I would also consider the Mazda 3, Volvo C30 and VW Golf/GTI.
If I was interested in a Honda Fit, then I would also consider the Scion xD and Toyota Yaris.
For those of u trying to decide which is more practical, costs less to own, etc., go w/the Ford Fit. I think u'd be happier, and u can breathe a bit easier knowing your kids will have somethin' left over 4 their college funds.