MINI versus SUZUKI
SPLURGE (above): MINI Cooper S, from £16,000
SAVE (below): Suzuki Swift Sport, £11,500
LOWDOWN: MINI’s are among the most sought-after small cars on the road - which is why they command a premium. A Cooper S will cost around £16,000 to put on the road and that’s before you start ticking boxes from the extensive options list, which most buyers seem to do, to personalise their purchase.
The Suzuki Swift Sport has a similar boxy look and is genuinely fun to drive for the money it costs. Only the 175hp versions of the MINI can outpace the Swift Sport and the little Suzuki looks good value for £11,500.
If you wanted to be picky, and MINI owners generally are, the Suzuki’s styling is fussier and less attractive than the more classical lines of the Cowley-built car. It’s bumperless extremities can be expensive to repair in the event of even a minor prang. It is also not going to hold its value as well as a MINI -Êbut then not much does.
SAVING: £4,500 LOOKALIKE RATING: 5/10
VERDICT: MINI enthusiasts may recoil at the idea but the Suzuki has plenty of style and drives well.
5 Comments
Peter what are you on about, it looks nothing like the Volvo, its more like a Toyota Corolla T Sport.
I think the only thing the 300C has in common with the Bentley is rarity. In my view the 300C (or Dodge Magnum - same car) looks nothing like a Bentley. As for holding its resale value better than a 5-Series, that probably says more about the 5-Series and the step backward from the previous model - M5 excepted.
I think the 300c has all the qualities of the bentley continental, except giving you the ability to say,ooh i spent £100,000 on my car. Wait, thats a good thing.
Looking through all the photos and details, I can honestly say if I had the money I would buy the dearer car everytime. Chrysler is not a Bentley is it and never will be. I only drive a humble Vauxhall Astra, but aspire to a Lexus, or Mercedes. All 3 are value for money reliable cars, but you pays your money you takes your choice.
It goes without saying we would probably all go for the premium vehicles, as much for prestige than anything else.
However, with the 300C Chrysler is onto a winner. Its a bold design and definitely distinctive. Looks a LOT more expensive than it is. I saw one being run as a taxi at Munich airport and all the drivers were very interested in it and looking on in envy - this is the country where every taxi is a Merc.
Great to see a manufacturer trying something new and superb value for money with great resids - a good buy if you are in the market for one of these cars.
Cheers,
Mark