Mini Cooper S.
Hmm.. depends on what is under the hood.
Plus you have to keep in mind how much metal is between you and the jerks on the road.
Mini Cooper S does handle nice, so does the Golf GTI.
[Though VW really should offer the VR6 engine in it again. They won’t though.]
Fuel economy wise, I’d have to say TDI Golf.
Speed. dunno.
Twin turbo 1.6 liter 4 cylinder. It puts out 181 hp.
The Golf does 200 but it’s also more expensive for the base model and repairs also look like they will cost more.
They both go fast enough and neither is any more substantial than my Neon. Of course, if someone dents the Neon it’s not a huge deal. If someone hits a Mini I spent 25000 bucks on I will probably murder them and leave the body in the NJ swamp.