Global Times - Jalopnik's top cars of the decade

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Jalopnik's top cars of the decade

Source: Global Times
[13:40 December 16 2009]
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Mini Cooper (R50)

Years Produced: 2001 - 2006
Base Price When New: $17,450 (2006)
Engine: 1.6-liter I-4, 114 hp
Curb Weight: 2524 lb
Power-To-Weight Ratio: 22 lb/hp

Like the original Mini, the new one transcended status and income levels; like the first Volkswagen GTI, it possessed giant-killing performance that also happened to be perfectly suited to the vast American landscape. Europeans decried it for being too big, too thirsty, and too space-inefficient, but Americans didn't care: They bought the little buggers by the truckload. The Mini was fun and fast.