Fit vs Cooper, which one do you think is faster in:
- quarter mile drag race
- circuit

Both with standard equipments (both manual or both auto)

Honda Fit:
117 hp @ 6600 rpm
106 ft-lbs. @ 4800 rpm
2604 lbs. curb weight
Motortrend recorded 8.3s (0-60) in the 2009 Fit Sport manual.

MINI Cooper:
118 hp @ 6000 rpm
114 ft-lbs. @ 4250 rpm
2568 lbs. curb weight
The manufacturer estimates 8.5s (0-60) for the 2009 MINI Cooper.

The specs seem to favor the Cooper, but it depends on the precise torque and power curves and the transmission gearing.
So quarter mile seems to be a toss up.

I would expect the MINI to be better on a complex circuit due to better suspension and brakes.
I think cooper also has a higher top speed due to aero and 6th gear.


So here's my very rough paper analysis. Any thoughts? Care to share yours opinions and experiences?

 

my aunt has a mini cooper s and i measured from axle to axle and the fit was about two inches shorter but you would never know it being in both cars.

 

I think the stock suspension in the Mini would kill the Fit, so circut is in the bag for the Mini. The other thing I think is being overlooked is power bandwidth. The Mini puts out more power at lower RPMs and throughout the entire bandwidth wile the Fit has most of it's power in the upper end... mostly for better fuel economy. So while the Fit might beat it to 60mph, I think the Mini would post a better quarter mile.

That is my theory anyway

 

I would tend to agree with you.

Does your powerband comment hold for the 09 Fit as well as the 08 Fit? I read that the torque curve on the 09 is much improved over 08, but I haven't actually seen the graphs.
And I also read that SOHC engines have the potential to produce more low end torque.

 

The 09 bandwidth is better because of the extra valves,
but still. The Mini is geared more for a sporty feel, I think it would still beat the Fit on the quarter mile.

It is pretty interesting how close the specs are though, I didn't realize they were so similar on paper.

 

Some more info I found:

2003 Mini Cooper, Manual 8.3 16.6 (C&D July 02)
2009 Honda Fit, Manual 8.3 16.3 (Motortrend)

I cannot for the life of me find an "official" 1/4 mi time for the current gen MINI Cooper. And MT always seems to post faster times than others.

For what it's worth, here's the dragtimes comparison between stock Fit and Cooper:
1/4 Mile Drag Racing Times - DragTimes.com!

 

FIT wins over MPG and Interior Cargo...

To answer your Q: Mni Cooper > Fit = Drag racing.

Come on now, FIT is not made for that kind of stuff unless you mod it to be one well atleast in an actual Track not drag racing but it still is not worth it.

 

Actually,
The EPA estimates has
2009 Fit manual: 27/33
2009 Cooper manual: 28/37


MINI estimates 8.5 & 16.6 for 0-60 and 1/4mi.
Facts, Features & Specs: Sport Mode Performance at MINIUSA.com

Motortrend did 8.3 & 16.3

But the manufacturer's estimate isi probably conservative compared to MT. So the jury's still out. But definitely really close!

Fit definitely wins in price and practicality. Probably reliability too. Base MSRP puts Cooper almost 3k over the Fit.

 

6 speed vs 5 speed otherwise compairable power...... i would tend to bet on the 6 speed.. but i never graduated highschool... so what do i know.... if u want to drag race a car...... the theese 2 cars are the best options man has ever created....... if 1/4 mile times are your main consirn ... go with a motorcycle..... if u want some cargo space...... mabe the mini is not your best option.... but then again what do i know.....

 

I dont know anybody that has gotten those estimated epa numbers. Ive never seen a GE average less than 35mpg. I thought it was pretty clear on here that those numbers are way under real world mpg.

 

Well here my input...I own both 07 Fit and 07 Mini S before the turbo switch....
The two car are very similar to each other.....for the mini it pick up speed much more faster then Fit in the lower end...suspension will just kill the Fit suspension and we talking about stock suspension too. Like other have already said..The fit is not design for drag race....

As for MPG my Mini S get on avg around 28 city and 37 HWY and the Fit now get avg of 30 City and 38 HWY

 

i had an 06 S it was the best handling car ever, it outhandles my si so easily and it feels much more stable. It wasn't as good on gas as the SI/ Fit Si = 28-30 Fit AT - 30ish. i avg around 26 for my MCS, but i'm assuming that you're talking about the regular MC, i'm sure the MC handles better, but i've had friends RSX, miata, porsches, subies (WRX) who have all be impresed by the Fits handling, they all just laughted at hte mini because they thought it was a girls car...hahah but the fit is kinda "cute" in that same way don't ya think?

 

I have driven both a base Mini and a Sport Fit lowered both with pretty equal tires (Yokohamas) on a tight A/X type course. The fit is severely outclassed by equal driver in Mini as would be expected. The Mini has better power curve, better suspension, and better brakes as you say. The specs don't lie.
PS on track the Mini dissappeared quickly from the Fit.

 

This is my first post here and thought I would chim in.

I just bought my 09 fit sport, last month and have loved it. I had previously owned a 03 and a 06 MINI base(non S) and I have to say that the MINI has got to be one of the best handling cars that I have ever driven. If you don't know, but BMW makes the MINI, and the suspension is the same as the 3 series BMW.The Multi-link rear suspension gives the MINI that extra bite in the corners that everyone comes to love.

But don't get me wrong. I have enjoyed my Fit, but I think the Fit is in a different class then the MINI all together.

 

i think stock, the mini wins but the fit has more potential in my opinion

 

The Fit has no potential over what it is beyond what it is.
The Min on ther other hand has more speed and cornering prowess stock than the Fit even modified within stock limits as the Mini.
My Fit has been improved nicely but it is not competition to even my 850 Mini. My 2500 lb and tall Fit with 1500 engine is no match in lap times or drags against my 1300 lb 100 hp Mini. None. And the Mini was legally street licensed. The new onethat I drove is vastly better in my opinion in every way. The two are not in the same market.

 

The Fit wins for moving stuff (cargo).

The MINI moves.



At last season's Autocross championships-

A stock base MINI old version (2005) with R compound tires
35.479 seconds 47th place on raw time out of 70, 20th overall with handicap

Vs
A modified Street Touring Fit Sport
with Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Spec street tires (one of the best tires)
35.643 seconds 50th place on raw time out of 70, 34th overall with handicap

Both were manual transmissions, both tops in their classes.

As for potential-
For most people the MINI has more potential for performance driving. The chassis is stiffer, center of gravity a little lower, assuming you don't add a turbo or supercharger kit.

If you took the base cars and added only wider wheels and sticky tires of the same type then the MINI would have a big advantage. The stock suspension on a MINI is far better.

Overall the MINI doesn't have as many performance upgrades vs the Fit in the normal aspirated engine versions. The MINI S is a supercharged version until the current one which is turbo which began in 2007.

The older Cooper S version has many upgrades for power and can be tuned for 230-250+ HP very easily which would double the base Cooper's HP.

Don't compare the Cooper S with any base Cooper. The new turbo Cooper S has added HP but it's not as easily upgraded for power yet.