Much more fun to drive........
This subjective statement would get an argument from many including me. I've driven several Miatas over thousands of miles and while it's a fine roadster, I much prefer how my Mini drives, especially how much roomier the cockpit is.
Granted, "more fun" is subjective. The Mini felt like too "big" to me. All your reasons for liking it are the exact reasons I did not like it. "roomy" and "practical"...sports cars should be neither. I would not own a mini unless it was convertable, the inside just feels like any other small car.
As for handling aspects, yeah, the mini can stick to the road. but I'm old school and like my sports cars to feel like sports cars..(the mini has a rear seat!!!!!!)
Now, a freind of mine as an "original" mini , they are diffrent than the new ones, and are fun to drive.
My wifes niece has a new one, and although it is a thousand times "more fun" to drive than a ZX2, a Camry , or a Malibu...My Miata just feels more like a sports car to me...(my opinion of course)
(and the Miata's are known for being pretty bullet proof--zero problem cars)
KM
