10 Reasons You Should Definitely Drive A Mini

There are guys who call the Mini Cooper a “chick car” and assume that any guy who is piloting one is gayer than a maypole covered in Astroglide. Take note that these are the same guys who think that cat calls actually work. The more sophisticated, stylish, and secure gentlemen among us recognize the Mini Cooper as a killer car with real racing heritage. And here's why. [For a competing view, click here.]

Complex Says: The Mini gets great fuel economy without being boring. Normally, fuel economy and fun have an inverse relationship with one another. But the Mini proves it doesn't have to be so.

Complex Says: You always get cool points for driving a car from an iconic car chase. Always.

Complex Says: Because of its small footprint, the Mini can squeeze in between the curb and that guy who didn't pull all the way forward, making that right on a red. It can fit into that small New York City parking space without having to resort to ramming other cars. It can turn around on a tight street when that coked-out guy in a hoodie with his hand in his pocket starts walking directly toward you. It has all the benefits of a city car, without being unstylish and soul-crushing like a Smart ForTwo.

Complex Says: Seriously. When it comes to sporty cars, this is one of the best models for tall guys. There's tons of front leg room, and the boxy roof line makes for spacious amounts of headroom. You have to take contortionist's lessons to fold your way into that Lamborghini Countach you really want, but the Mini will fit all but the tallest and fattest of men. To top off all of this, you can actually put a ton of stuff in the back, thanks to the hatchback bodystyle and the fold-down rear seats.

Complex Says: It's really easy to spend too much money on what would otherwise be a reasonably priced car by going crazy with the aesthetic options for the Mini. But a bit of restraint can get you a cool car that really stands out. Between the options for bonnet stripes, roof colors, roof strips, mirror caps, wheels, seat colors and materials, and interior trims, there are a ton of options, some of which don't show up on the road every day. British Racing Green with black bonnet stripes and a black jack roof is cool in our book.

Complex Says: The Mini draws strongly on the original Mini, which is a motorsport icon. Not only does it have that classic, “gentleman's racer” heritage behind it, but Mini has teamed up with Prodrive to start competing in the World Rally Championship. This means that the new, BMW-owned Mini is making its own racing heritage as well.

Complex Says: If it's good enough for Stirling Moss, it's more than good enough for you. Seriously, Stirling Moss is the real life James Bond of motorsport--classic gentleman and fierce competitor at the same time. He's kicked ass in endurance races, F1, and rallies, and he is still fast as an octogenarian. He loved his Mini and got booked for dangerous driving in it.

Complex Says: Yes, the Mini can get a bit expensive if one starts ticking all the option boxes, but for the cost, it offers some great engineering. It has great transmissions, peppy engines, good balance, and a very efficient drive-train. It feels like a BMW on the road, without feeling like a BMW in the wallet.

Complex Says: This is the real claim to fame of the Mini. There's not an automotive journalist alive who hasn't likened the Mini Cooper to a go kart. It's a seriously fun car--everywhere from the city to those beautiful Californian mountain roads.

Complex Says: If you were lucky enough to afford a Ferrari 458 Italia, you might think that you would attract women. In reality, the only women who will want to talk to you on account of your car would be gold-diggers. In addition, you would be constantly surrounded by 16-year-old boys and the entire readership of Car & Driver magazine. On the other hand, the Mini Cooper S is a car that girls are actually interested in. This is quite probably the most likely car to get you a woman.