The Mini clubman is really a cute little car isn't it? My neighbor across the road has a Mini convertible and we tool around in that in the summer. The dashboard is to die for...I love it. Michelle,it's hard suggesting a car for someone else. I have never had anything but a Honda because they are so darn reliable. I have never once had to take any of my Hondas in for anything and that is of utmost importance to me. I have a Honda CRV which is a mini SUV. I need that space in the back for hauling shrubs,dirt,whatever. I get about 30 miles to the gallon and love it. You are up off the ground,but nothing like a regular SUV. My husband has his regular car and a fun car,which is his Miata. I'd never want a 2nd car but if I did,I'd get a Mini Cooper.

You're sort of in the same boat, well, and sort of not, as I. I need a bigger car since the bigger vehicle left, and I like to transport mom, sis, and baby (ok, big boy), but all I have is the 2 seater. I LOVE love love the Miata, greatest therapy ever made. So... I am going to buy a USED big four door sedan (I am thinking top-of-the-line Honda, an Acura) and fix up the Miata at the same time. I will buy the "driving around others" car, then deposit the Miata some place for routine maintenance and all that will keep it going for another 19 years. And a fancy paint job it doesn't need, or the body kit to make it totally "unreasonable", but amazingly fun. And my friend bought an SUV for transporting her dogs; they love the room. Good luck on getting what you want.... and need.

Michelle, I would have had a mini years ago if I hadn't had dogs. Now I can't afford one! I still have a 1992 Izuzu Rodeo that has 158,000 miles on it. I swore I would drive it into the ground. What a gem, I put almost no money into it except to change the oil every 3000 miles. Like you, I drive very little. Mostly lived near work and took few road trips.

Then one day, at around 155,000 miles, my radiator went out just outside of Garberville, in the Sierras. I coasted into town, even my glasses steamed up. That got handled and then about 5,000 miles later my water pump went south. That's when I decided I couldn't trust the old girl for road trips. Not wanting to put damp, smelly dog in my pretty new car, I kept the Rodeo just for the dogs. I keep it insured only for liability. It's also good for dump runs and friends borrow it if they're moving.

I bought a Prius in 2007 - then I sold it in 2008 for a bit more than it cost me. Now I have a Honda Fit. Small, nippy, but has very good cargo space, I found could fit dogs in it if only they would sit down and not smell. Hence keeping Rodeo. It's really fun to drive and now with Scoop gone, it works well for Rags. He was never the one to go full out swimming and deep sea diving so he was never the smelly one. Rags just stands in the back, body quivering, whining "Are we there yet? Are we there yet?"

Rob, I once had a Miata and I loved it too. I sold it to buy a teepee. I had more fun in the Miata.

I actually looked at a Honda Fit. I simply cannot imagine hitting a snow drift with that low-hanging front bumper thingy and not ripping it off in the process.

Marda, I completely understand your affinity for low maintenance. That's what's kept me in this Accord for so long, and what might keep me in one. I once owned a Ford Taurus and an Oldsmobile. Let's just say I'm in no hurry to repeat those experiences! Steve drives a Honda Pilot and couldn't be happier.

Sheila, as for the stinky dogs, it totally comes with the territory, doesn't it? What's the point of having webbed paws if you can't paddle with them, eh?

Do they make a super-sporty, totally reliable car with maybe only front seats and a rear cargo hold that can hold groceries, an intervention-worthy amount of plant materials, or grinning canine friends and just be hosed out at the end of the day?

I'd love to hear what Kathy has to say, I'd trust her 1,000,000%. In the meantinme, let me direct you to the SUV my friend has who loves to take her dogs to the islands off of Carolinas to do their swimming.... the Nissan Murano. Talk about sporty. She loves it and Ed (who drives the Isuzu Rodeo (the vehicle that left), Sheila we must be a cut of the same cloth!) loves it. Like me, he's a gearhead and when he loves something, it's worth checking out. Great doggy car.

Here is a link that might be useful: Murano

I saw something on the road that was smaller than a SUV and bigger than a car with four wheel drive. I think it was either a Saturn or a Mazda. Wish I knew, because I would like something with truck qualities. I hear Accords are great, whatever you decide on, I am sure it will be a wise choice.

Jaz, You've made me dig out my latest Consumer Reports buying guide. Here Are their top rated vehicles:

--Hatchbacks Under $18,000 - Honda Fit (#2 Nissan Versa)
--Wagons & Hatchbacks $18,000 - $25,000 - Mazda5 (#2 VW Rabbit S)
--Wagons & Hatchbacks $25,000+ - VW Passat (#2 Volvo XC70)
--Compact Sporty SUV's - Suburu Forester 2.5XT (#2 Toyota RAV4)
--SUV's under $30,000 - Suburu Forester 2.5XT Limited (#2 Suburu Fotrester 2.5X)

They also like the Mini Cooper.

Well, if I were looking for a new car just for me, I'd be looking at Minis and Miatas too. Or better yet, a scooter. Have you looked at Subaru? The Outback is sort of station wagonish. Great in the snow, huge sunroof, seat warmers, dog-doable. The gas mileage could be better (blame the all-wheel drive), but it's been a very useful car for us.

I was just going to suggest a subaru. They make an excellent vehicle. I had a Brat years ago (1985 I think) and I sold it to a young friend of mine. He has driven it x-country more than once and all over Canada. A second engine now but he still has it and it runs great.

Michelle, you're right about that low front, and indeed the bumper thingy has had to be replaced one. It scraped on parking thingy.

I am totally clueless about cars now, lost interest in them many years ago...........but was curious about the Murano. Did you notice the WHOPPING price increase on the new models? Why?

To be honest, I skipped over price, as I never buy a new car. And I check Kelly before I buy one. But, if you read the review, while there were no mechanical changes there were cosmetic changes made. So it looking better ran the price up. Or is that slippery slope? :) Who knows. Probably demand ran it up. Same concept as the Prius going down in price. Demand ran the price up initially, and after awhile, supply was running over and the price dropped. Maybe oversimplified, but it is my true guess, higher demand.

OK guys. Suburus are great miniature SUVs and great for dogs. We have Mini and a Prius. Prius cost twice what the Mini did. The dogs ride in the Prius because I absolutely REFUSE the sacrilege of letting the dogs ride in the Mini. There are certain boundaries that simply must not be crossed.