By Tim Plouff

Most of us drive ho-hum, copycat cars and trucks that vary little from the vehicles parked in the neighbor’s driveway. Our transportation devices work fine handling the daily chores of life but frequently lack the personality and distinctive character of ‘us’. With politically-correct styling that sets us apart from no one, our rides let us glide through the day with nary a second glance from the people around us.

If you would like to possess a more expressive vehicle, one that reflects your outgoing personality, then you really do have several options with a variety of cars and trucks that are attractively priced and fuel-efficient too.

Chervolet HHR

Chevy’s bold new HHR compact wagon and BMW’s Mini Cooper Convertible are two likeable candidates, cars that any one of us would be invigorated by owning. Work up some courage; make your holiday list for Santa, and who knows what the ol’ guy will bring ya.

While you dreamers ponder that thought for a minute, and try to come up with a short list of previously committed acts of virtue, the rest of us will take a brief tour of these interesting vehicles. My apologies to those of you wrapped in a blanket in your easy chair; these photos were taken during the last days of summer in September.

The Chevrolet HHR — which stands for Heritage High Roof — combines the retro-styling of the curvaceous SSR hot-rod pickup with the stance of a 1949 Suburban, one of the original family haulers. Based on the compact Cobalt’s front-wheel drive chassis, the five-passenger HHR invites inevitable comparison to Chrysler’s PT Cruiser. Chevrolet promises more room, a better ride and more refinement in the new HHR — all in a size that has functionality and user appeal. Essentially a Cobalt wagon (just as the PT Cruiser is really a Neon wagon), the HHR achieves good fuel economy and delivers more than many small car buyers are used to.

GM had several of its top female executives play an active role in the HHR’s development. These team members sought better interiors, enhanced storage space, more refined controls and a quieter, more user–friendly cabin than GM small cars used to offer. Data indicates that women impact 85 percent of new vehicle purchases. Chevy’s efforts are intended to make the HHR pay quick dividends in the showroom and lure youthful male and female buyers back to the bow-tie brand.

By all accounts, the HHR achieves its goals. The interior rivals the upscale appearance, feel and construction of the best from Japan and Europe. Controls work deftly and are appropriately placed. The chair-like comfort of the bucket seats can be appreciated by all physiques. The ride is a compliant blend of responsive control and supple bump absorption while the cabin remains blissfully subdued. A relatively long wheelbase and a wider than normal track give the HHR good road stability — the same attributes that allow the small Cobalt to ride like a large car, not a compact.

HHR buyers also can expect standard items like a driver’s information center that includes trip computer and outside temperature display, multiple hidden storage compartments, flat-fold 60/40 split rear seats, plus air conditioning, remote keyless entry and cruise control. Select the automatic transmission and you get a remote starter system, too.

My automatic-equipped HHR was quite peppy. Low-end grunt was very satisfying and allays any concerns one might have about the HHR’s ability to jump into traffic or merge on the freeway.

Perhaps the greatest strength of the HHR is the solidity of the whole platform. The high-quality feel of the HHR was engineered into every piece of quiet steel, every body panel, every reinforcing beam, every doorframe. NVH — noise, vibration and harshness suppression — is the key to a sound car and the HHR is one of the best.

The engineering emphasis is apparent outside, too, as the complex shapes of the HHR’s body draw everyone’s gaze. Choose from satin or chrome accents or select from a lengthy list of factory options to customize your HHR to your personal taste. Or, you can consult the burgeoning aftermarket segment for a plethora of accessories and complimenting add-ons to make your HHR really stand out.

The HHR is fun to drive, fun to look at and functional to use. With prices starting at $15,990 — well-equipped — the HHR is poised to make Chevrolet a player again in the compact car segment.

Mini Cooper Convertible

Earlier this year, an ‘S’ model Mini Cooper convertible graced these pages. That compact rocket was a hoot to drive, a veritable racing roller skate. It was very quick and quite responsive when you turned the leather-clad steering wheel, but the taut sport suspension could beat the fillings out of your teeth when the tarmac turned coarse.

This ‘base’ Mini convertible delivers 95 percent of the zip, fun, and personality of the ‘S’ model, but without the punishing ride. Yes, it is a bit slower in the enthusiasm department when you mash the ‘go’ pedal, due somewhat to the reserved responses built into the CVT transmission. However, the rest of the Mini’s personality is still intact and on display.

The CVT — continuously variable transmission — works very well; you just have to get used to the performance characteristics of this particular application. Standing starts don’t deliver the kind of sudden urge that most drivers are familiar with, but once you push through the throttle’s resistance points, the Mini generates good power and more than enough speed to attract unwanted attention.

The Mini’s short wheelbase improves the car’s right-now handling, but exacts a small penalty in ride comfort over other compact cars. I was continuously amazed at how quick the Mini responds to any driver inputs. It is completely unruffled by any corner and seems to navigate your favorite winding road as if directly attached to your brain.

The Mini tracks uneven highway lanes with no problem, never darting or pulling on the wheel like many small sporty cars. Stopping or turning, the Mini outshines the competition and displays its BMW partnership as a class-leading handler.

Throw open the power softop and the Mini’s outgoing persona bubbles over. You can slide the roof open a little, just like a sunroof — even while moving, or just lower the whole top in less than 12 seconds. Wear your shades and your sunscreen, as everyone will be looking.

No other production car has a cooler looking interior design. Everything, I mean everything, is circular-shaped. Door handles, toggle switches, instruments, levers, everything in sight is rounded and highlighted by contrasting materials. Even the tiny button on the turn signal stalk that runs the clever trip computer is a round piton.

The Mini suffers from two sticking points. The rear boot could best be described as ‘mini-scule’ as there is only six cubic feet of cargo space; or about enough room for two soft duffel bags and lunch. For all intents and purposes, the Mini’s back seat is your trunk, as only children can legitimately ride here. Adults would have to remove their legs to fit. This is contrasted by an ample amount of space in the front of the cabin.

These are minor aggravations as this car is all about fun, a car for two people who want to rip the top back and chase the sun from one horizon to the other. What could be more rewarding in your personal transportation?

Wouldn’t Santa look good delivering a Mini Convertible — or an HHR — to your garage? It’s not too late to be asking the right people. Mini, HHR, Mini, HHR….