Mini Cooper S, E36 M3, Camaro SS, 350Z, Trans-Am WS6, etc.
 

Major edit: Bored with the M3, though I do love the car. Looking for something else with similar MPG's.

Adding a few more options I found/like on AutoTrader. Putting them all together here:

Current: 1998 BMW M3 - 5 speed - 18/26 MPG - 240hp Inline 6 - 1/4 mile: 13.7.
2000 Camaro SS Coupe - 6 speed - 16/25 MPG - 325hp V8 - 1/4 mile: 13.0.
2000 Pontiac Trans-Am WS-6 - 6 speed - 16/25 MPG - 320hp V8 - 1/4 mile: 12.9.
1998 Pontiac Trans-Am WS-6 - 6 speed - 16/25 MPG - 315hp V8 - 1/4 mile: 13.5.
1992 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 - 6 speed - 16/22 MPG - 325hp Twin Turbo V6 - 1/4 mile: 14.5.
2003 Nissan 350 Z Coupe - 6 speed - 18/24 MPG - 287hp V6 - 1/4 mile: 14.1.
2005 Mini Cooper S Coupe - 6 speed - 22/29 MPG - 168hp Supercharged Inline 4 - 1/4 mile: 15.3.

Doublt check the Mini forums, but from what I rememberthe first few years of the SC ones had issues that were fixed in later years. I was impresed how well they rode for such a small car though.

Too lazy to go join ANOTHER forum lol. Notice, on your b-day that you realize how many damn forums you are on? Hopefulllly there is some Mini owning TST'er who can chime in. I have an e-mail out to a girl here who has an S, but it's a newer one.

If the Mini was puttin down 240 hp I'd say you'd be runnin the M3s in the quarter, every 100 lbs is 1/10 sec of 1/4 ;)

But in all seriousness, I've driven an E36 M and they are amazing machines, the ride is so nice, and def a dec amount of power. My boss used to have one (watch out for the money shift) and we ran his M against my Accord 6-6 a couple times and they were dead even in power. Neither of us pulled an inch. lol

My M isn't stock, and rides as if I have no suspension (2" H&R Race kit with Koni's). But oh my does it corner! I think my decision will be made tomorrow when I go out there and test drive the Mini. I have yet to get behind the wheel of one yet.

240 is very hard to come by and is not coming from just a pulley. Without getting a better flowing head, cams, and meth, the cars with I/H/E and a pulley usually coast at just about 200. To get 240, you're probably looking at spending a bit on mods.

I've put just over 15K on mine bone stock and love it, but the pulley is on my immediate list of things to do. Side note, it's the pulley on the S/C, not an underdrive pulley they're talking about.

I always liked the Mini's especially after The Italian Job. But I always thought I would get in WAAAY too much trouble with one, cuttin thru traffic and such.

Won't that cost more in the end than just paying for the gas in the M3?

Not if the price of the Mini is less than that of the M3. I'm making money on the M3 as a trade too if I do go through with it ;-)

I've heard that the 05+ MCS is the one to have due to the addition of a limited slip but it sounds like you are getting a good deal trade wise so i'd say do it!

Alright, so here's my rundown after thinking for a bit:

Pros:
-Chicks dig it. Hard.
-The gearing on the 6speed is pretty sweet and tearing through 1-2 has yet to cease to bring a smile to my face.
-Decent gas mileage.
-Surprisingly spacious, especially with the back seats down.
-Steering-wheel mounted controls for the stereo and Cruise is nice.
-BMW quality interior
-Big aftermarket.
-In stock form, will give any car at the auto-x a run for it's money.
-One of the most friendly and awesome online and in-person communities out there.
-Great stock stereo

Cons, and generally annoying ****:
-It is a bimmer, so repairs through the dealer can be pricey. Early models had some cooling problems, as they get up there in mileage things are going to start going out though.
-Wheel bolts. It's a small complaint, and easily fixable with a stud kit, but is annoying in general practice.
-The run-flat tires blow in just about every sense of the word. There's also no spare, nor a place to stash one really.
-Lack of an armrest is kind of dumb, but again, one can be bought.
-1st is basically useless in the rain and the DSC kicking in can make it even more of a pain, especially if you're trying to edge around a corner or something.
-Realistically is a two-seater. I'm 5'8 and a todler might be able to sit behind me while driving.

Really minor complaints, but that's what I've got.

Thanks guys. I also drove a 350Z over the weekend. My g/f and I really love the Z. So that is on the list now too. They had a Mini, but it was not an S, so I didn't even get in to test it. Can anyone confirm the Z is more of a dog than my M3? I drove it and it seemed as fast as my M, but my sister's fiancee says it's a complete dog (He has owned a Z, couple Cobra's, 911, etc). But damn, does the Z look nice.

I used to go to school with a guy who had a SC Mini and that thing really had a lot of go for what it was. Plus if done right they look straight up sexy!

Thanks, Ray. I added a few options up top as well. I found a Trans-Am WS6 that I LOVE, and same with the Camaro SS. I'm a former F-body owner and would not mind getting back into another.

Almost every single one of those cars you listed has more power and less economy.... Are you confused?

If you want something fun to zip around in look for one of the new 2.5L Mazda3's or something else for a dd. Get a clean swapped K20 Honda, should get some nice mpgs and be quick.

Confused... no. I'm not "just" looking for better MPG. If I am going to stay in the 20's with MPG, a little additional power is not bad at all. All the cars listed are either on par with what I have now or close enough to keep me happy. My '93 Camaro with a 5.7L 350 averaged around 25 MPG overall. I had it for a couple years and absolutely loved it. My M3 is around 20.5 MPG overall. I will never own a Honda (car) except an S2000. Period. The Mazda is a possibility but I'd have to find one I like. I'm not a huge Mazda fan.

You'll have to forgive me, your post seemed to emphasize first that you hate paying for gas because you drive 250+ miles weekly. I get that you want more performance for your economy, but more power will tempt you to open it up more often.

Regardless I support any decision most of those cars are awesome (Including the M :))

Using myself as an example.

My stock Spec V was fun to drive and I could see upwards of 37 mpg on the highway and around 25 city; thus averaging about 28-29.
My Spec V @ 300whp saw about 31 mpg highway and about 22 city; thus averaging high 20's.

Stock running around WOT all the time and running to redline. I was seeing close to 20-22mpg average.
Boosted running around WOT is like 15mpg. See how much this affects by increasing the power? More power = more fun = more fuel usage.

Keep that in mind when you make your decision.

I went back to edit it - added that I also want more sound and power ;-) More power on the same car = less hp. But, it's all about car design (aerodynamics), efficiency of the motor and drivetrain, etc., etc., as we know when it comes to power and MPG. Look at my favorite examples and my M3:

1998 BMW M3 - 5 speed - 18/26 MPG - 240hp Inline 6 - 1/4 mile: 13.7.
2000 Camaro SS Coupe - 6 speed - 16/25 MPG - 325hp V8 - 1/4 mile: 13.5.
2000 Pontiac Trans-Am WS-6 - 6 speed - 16/25 MPG - 320hp V8 - 1/4 mile: 12.9.

80+ hp and only 1-2 MPG less on both ends is not bad ;-)

this is a bit confusing... let me get this straight....

i'm assuming you have no payments on the m3. for the average amount of miles your driving per month(2125 miles per month since october) your average cost per month for gas at 4 bucks a gallon will be at 425 bucks. With the mini cooper using average mpg of a modded mini at around 26 mpg(with the amount of times you dip into boost, which you WILL do) you'll be saving about 90 bucks a month.

but you also have to weigh in the fact that you'll be paying a bank for the money(money's expensive nowadays) on top of the difference you have to pay on top for the mini cooper... you'll be paying more for a less badass car. it'll probably take you a decade to break even lol.

what was the original intent of the thread? was it to ultimatly save money?