I have that crack noise in my golf.. I suspected it was something electrical but it doesn't happen too often to warrent finding out
Mk5 GTI - Best all rounder. Civic Type R - Fantastic, as long as you like revving to the red line to get any power. Cooper S - Just no. I have been in all afforementioned cars. Civic's are silly quick, but they have to be revved, which is why i think the Mk5 would probably be better. Depends what you're wanting. Golf would be better for family as well as the other two are quite small inside wise and only have 3 doors...
My bad, last i read on the mk6 they were going for it next years as they are not making enough profit on the mk5. and as for the minis, leave em alone, Ive been out in a couple of coopers and loved them! handling was good, enough poke and with a bit of fettling they can be a pretty good track car, the only reason i dont have one is that it would have to be my 1 and only car and at the time it wasnt practicle for me to have just one so i got the estate to pile the miles on and then after some umming and aring i got the mk1 as a play thing.