MINI Gets Best MPG Among Sports Cars
Our friends over at Edmonds.com have done a rather interesting comparison of fuel economy in 19 sports cars available in 2011.
Monthly fuel costs ranged from $330/month for the Corvette ZR1/BMW M3 on one end, and $165/month for the MINI Cooper. But the fuel-sipping Cooper wasn’t the only MINI at the top of the Edmonds list. The Cooper, Cooper Convertible, Cooper S and Cooper S JCW took the top four spots. Looking at the numbers, on fuel alone a MINI is about half the operating cost of an M3. Sure, the M3 has a lot more horsepower and panache, but with gas creeping toward $5/gallon there’s a lot to be said for thrifty thrills. Check out their full analysis here.
<p>Yes, frugality is a concern for many, but those capable of purchasing $60k plus automobiles may not be overly concerned about economy, particularly those in the market for high-performance sports cars. Thus, while the Edmond’s study makes statistical sense, it will have negligible decision-making impact on consumers seeking much more than great fuel economy. i.e., practicality and exotic machinery are generally mutually exclusive. On the near-term horizon, however, the electric and hybrid segment will likely change this paradigm dramatically.</p>
<p>Sports cars tend to not accumulate as many miles as other cars – they are often the 3rd car, and not the daily driver. So fuel economy isn’t as important as other types of cars.</p>
<p>Pls rectify the link to the Edmonds article. Current link at the bottom of the post leads to a Flickr image.</p>
<p>Â Maybe lots of sports cars give you more sensations…. all you can say is that Cooper S/JCW are not expensive “for what it gives”</p>
<p>Exactly BZCAT (For some reason the interface wouldn’t let me use reply). I love my MINI on the track, but still, the MINI is a sporty car, not a true sports car. This may be the worst case of Apples to Oranges that’s come up in awhile, but hey, it’s Edmund’s, not totally unexpected. </p>
<p>Also was wondering what Edmond’s is smoking to come up with MINI compared to a ZR1 or M3. The MINI brand is a good sporty compact car but not a sports car. To me this would have been like comparing a Zonda with a M3, they are both good cars but not the same division of cars.</p>
<p>Exactly. I love the MINI driving experience, but “sports car”? Not even compared to a miata I’m afraid, let alone exotic RWD-ers like Vettes and M cars…Â </p>
<p>Obviously the consensus is — MINI is not a “sports car!” Yes, MINI does exhibit “sports car-like” handling and performance attributes. Similarly, the M3 should not be classified as a “sports car.” It is a sports coupe/sedan that may have performance and handling capabilities that eclipse many some sports cars. The pending MINI Coupe and Roadster may enable the MINI brand to legitimately lay claim to the term later this year. The distinction certainly makes for provocative conversation when the “amalgam” coachwork of the Panamera, Rapide, and FF (all bearing legendary sports car branding) have all managed to become a growing perennial paradox.</p>
<p>Shame the mini isn’t a sports car</p>
<p>I’m a daily driver in my MINI Cooper and I get 35 city and 39 highway.</p>