I need to pickup a simple daily driver, taking a look at the MINI's tomorrow. Is there anything else out there that has similar packaging in terms of size/handling that I should be looking at. I know about the Honda Fit but that seems to be it.

Just looking at a standard 09 with minimal options.

I need a smaller car as a grocery getter as I am moving to La Jolla which is not conducive to the big American monsters that I have now.

Also I keep hearing ~1000 + invoice on 09's does this seem appropriate or a off the lot car.

 

Go check out a VW GTi

I have an 09 Copper S I got in July. It was a excec car from the Atlanta office and I got $6k off of it and it had a litle over 5k miles. They were doing discounts of around $500 on 09's with zer miles. Mine came with full warranty, looked and smeeld new and so far in the 4k miles I;ve put on it not a lick of trouble.

 

Definitely check out the MkV GTI 2.0T.

The car is an absolute blast to drive and very easy to modify.