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MINI Cooper  vs. Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder Review

How the MINI Cooper stacks up against the Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder - by Nigel Cooper, Topanga CA

2009 MINI Cooper
Price Range: $18,050 - $21,950
2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder
Price Range: $25,699 - $29,149
MINI Cooper vs. Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder Review

Performance
With respect to horsepower, the Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder packs quite a wallop and will knock the MINI Cooper down a few rungs. On the other hand, keep in mind that high horsepower engines often command higher insurance premiums. The MINI Cooper is likely to feel a little slow because of its high horsepower-to-weight ratio compared to the Eclipse Spyder.

Handling
Really small tires, like the ones on the Cooper, can provide better handling in deep snow but can also provide poor traction. With its tighter turning radius, the Cooper is definitely nimbler than the Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder, something to consider if you do a lot of city driving; on the other hand, keep in mind that a vehicle with a tight turning circle may feel a bit twitchy on the highway.

Drivetrain
The Mitsubishi has a more sizeable engine than the MINI Cooper. Note that smaller engines are often cheaper to fix, but smaller engines can be stressed more. Torque equals pickup, and the Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder will have picked up and gone by the time the MINI Cooper finally gets moving.

Utility
The MINI is a better choice than the Eclipse Spyder as far as transporting cargo, especially if you frequently need to carry a lot of suitcases or massive pets. Neither the MINI Cooper nor the Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder has a marked advantage when it comes to seating capacity.

Comfort
Taller drivers will quite a bit enjoy the extra head room in the Eclipse Spyder's front cabin compared to the MINI Cooper. The ampler interior dimensions of the MINI Cooper make it more spacious for your passengers than the Eclipse Spyder.

Dimensions
The Eclipse Spyder is substantially more ponderous than the MINI Cooper. Your wallet will hurt more every time you fill up the Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder than the MINI Cooper because of its larger tank. The MINI fits in smaller parking spaces than the Mitsubishi.

Cost
The destination charge is a standard charge for transporting the vehicle from its point of origin to the dealer. It costs about the same to get the Cooper to the dealership as the Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder. The MINI Cooper is significantly less costly than the Eclipse Spyder when it comes to MSRP. The Cooper isn't much less expensive than the Mitsubishi regarding out-the-door price.

Overview
The basic warranty that comes with the MINI Cooper isn't quite as generous as the Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder's.

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