>I want something small, gets good gas mileage and still has
>some pick up speed.
>So far its either a VW Turbo Beetle or a Mini Cooper S.

I like those choices
I know my choice of "a side ride" would forever be the Golf GTI.
though that MDI thing that VW puts in their cars in lieu of a proper USB port is dumb

everything else about them I like

and a Beetle is pretty much a Golf in different skin for the most part nowadays