here's my $.02: I'm thinking of selling my Benz' due to financial reason and I seriously looked at Mazda 6 due to the space that I needed but If I don't need that much space, I would go for the Mini Club S, I love the way it looks but only 4 seater and that would be a problem coz' sometimes, my 20 yr. old daughter still hangs out with us on weekends
but it all boil down to this:
cost wise for maintenance: I would go for the Mazda 6
mpg wise: I would go for the Mini Club S
looks: my 2 boys love the Mini esp. my son who just got his driving permit
I'm still holding out though and see once she turns 21 few months from now, by that time, the price of the Mini's are a lot cheaper