iamwiz82
Lifer
- Jan 10, 2001
- 30,772
- 13
- 81
I have yet to not be able to fit anything in our MINI. I can fit all the luggage we need for a week on vacation. I believe that they advertise that most 35" TVs will fit, as well.
The warranty is 4 years/50,000 miles, the free maintenence is 3 years/36,000 miles.
BTW, how to have sex in a MINI.
The warranty is 4 years/50,000 miles, the free maintenence is 3 years/36,000 miles.
BTW, how to have sex in a MINI.
My vote is for an Acura RSX-S! 
I love mine. I also considered the Mini S and the tC, but decided on the RSX-S and haven't regretted it one bit.
Now, if I had more cash to spend, I might have considered the VW R32... those are NICE.
I love mine. I also considered the Mini S and the tC, but decided on the RSX-S and haven't regretted it one bit. Now, if I had more cash to spend, I might have considered the VW R32... those are NICE.
Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
Get the Mini Cooper S with the NEW 210hp works pack.
The car in the video has now been upgraded to teh 210 pack...
man, that thing is expensive... extra $5g's for an extra 40hp kick... this stupid thread has had me sitting at the mini site.. ha
- Oct 28, 1999
- 62,484
- 8,345
- 126
Well, it's not really the seats I'm talking about. More the combination of tires and suspension being quite jarring. A lot of reviews note it as overly harsh for long commutes/daily driving.
I thought I read in a YACT from you a while back noting you had back problems and wanted a comfortable car, and that's why I brought it up.
If the ride of the Mini is really that bad, you might not notice/mind in the begining but as time goes on, it'll get to you. Especially with your 80mile commute m-f, I am speaking with experience from the uncomfortable ride of the ford explorer. If I was in the market for a new car, I would get the Acura TSX. But I would get the mini over the TC, suspension can always be upgraded for a smoother ride.
iamwiz82
Lifer
- Jan 10, 2001
- 30,772
- 13
- 81
The S is VERY rough in the ride. The standard Cooper is much more forgiving to the body in terms of ride quality. I find it to be ok, but if you have any issues, I'd be sure to take a test drive on a rough road. It is not a car for the passenger to easily take a nap in.
I'd skip the JCW kit either way. You can have more performance by spending $2,000 in goodies, instead of the $5500 PLUS install.
I'd skip the JCW kit either way. You can have more performance by spending $2,000 in goodies, instead of the $5500 PLUS install.
Its about on par with a Z06 in terms of harshness.
FBodys and Stangs all have a bit softer setup, usually more inclined for drag with.
I own a Mini Cooper S
My Dad owns a Mini Cooper S with the Works Package
My Mom owns a Mini Cooper with automatic.
Mini Cooper with Auto: Suprisingly spunky but I can't stand the automatic. Ride is pretty close to the smoothness of a Civic but corners much better.
Mini Cooper S: Fairly powerful engine (163 Hp) but feels like it has gobs of torque. Power is pretty much immediate but really kicks in at around 3200rpm. Corners like a skateboard. Ride is pretty forgiving on highways and a bit rough on bad secondaries. I drive in and around Cleveland Ohio about 100 miles per workday. The seats are very comfortable and supportive even under punishing conditions. I won't lie, on very rough roads and potholes, it can be very annoying (but you usually aren't on those types of roads for very long anyway.....even in Cleveland ). I have a '70 Chevelle with a lighly modified 350 in it and this car 'feels' like it has more torque and will run with the Chevelle in a straight line all day. Cornering is another story though .
Mini Cooper S JCW package: Truthfully, I think this is a huge waste of money. Is it quicker than the 'S'...yes. Is it more powerful than the 'S'...yes. Does it 'FEEL' like it is faster than the 'S'....NO. The 'S' feels like it has more torque for some reason. The ride is rougher due solely to the larger wheels and shorter rubber. I believe all other suspension is the same (I may be wrong but it doesn't FEEL any different). All other interior items are basically the same.
Conclusion (also just my OPINION):
I drive my cars like I stole them. In other words....I drive them hard. I have had many sessions in all 3 of these cars as we like to 'borrow' each other's cars so this is NOT based on very short stints in each.
I think the base Mini is great for women or guys who could care less about extra power, stoplight action, hitting 90+ mph before leaving the on-ramps ( ), or attitude. They are a great values, solidly built and decent on fuel.
I think the Mini Cooper S is the best value for the money. You can rip the tires all you want, you have 6 speeds and a supercharger (NOT a turbo), you have attitude in the stripes and a nice size hood scoop, and this thing will take corners HARD (Power sliding through corners is almost impossible).
I think the Mini Cooper S with the JCW package (Works Ed.) is simply a waste of money. The only real differences are the JCW badges (one on the front hidden in the bottom of the front spoiler and one on the back), the exhaust system (which doesn't sound much different than the stock 'S'), and the extra 35 hp. All this for the low, low price of an additional $5000 PLUS dealer install!
I know that not everybody will agree with these opinions but I do hope they will aid you in your decision.
SDC
Cliff Notes
Mini (with Automatic): Spunky and a good value for non-power hungry people
Mini Cooper S: Great value, great power, great attitude, comfortable.
Mini Cooper S JCW: Great power but not worth the extra $5000+
My Dad owns a Mini Cooper S with the Works Package
My Mom owns a Mini Cooper with automatic.
Mini Cooper with Auto: Suprisingly spunky but I can't stand the automatic. Ride is pretty close to the smoothness of a Civic but corners much better.
Mini Cooper S: Fairly powerful engine (163 Hp) but feels like it has gobs of torque. Power is pretty much immediate but really kicks in at around 3200rpm. Corners like a skateboard. Ride is pretty forgiving on highways and a bit rough on bad secondaries. I drive in and around Cleveland Ohio about 100 miles per workday. The seats are very comfortable and supportive even under punishing conditions. I won't lie, on very rough roads and potholes, it can be very annoying (but you usually aren't on those types of roads for very long anyway.....even in Cleveland
). I have a '70 Chevelle with a lighly modified 350 in it and this car 'feels' like it has more torque and will run with the Chevelle in a straight line all day. Cornering is another story though .Mini Cooper S JCW package: Truthfully, I think this is a huge waste of money. Is it quicker than the 'S'...yes. Is it more powerful than the 'S'...yes. Does it 'FEEL' like it is faster than the 'S'....NO. The 'S' feels like it has more torque for some reason. The ride is rougher due solely to the larger wheels and shorter rubber. I believe all other suspension is the same (I may be wrong but it doesn't FEEL any different). All other interior items are basically the same.
Conclusion (also just my OPINION):
I drive my cars like I stole them. In other words....I drive them hard. I have had many sessions in all 3 of these cars as we like to 'borrow' each other's cars so this is NOT based on very short stints in each.
I think the base Mini is great for women or guys who could care less about extra power, stoplight action, hitting 90+ mph before leaving the on-ramps (
), or attitude. They are a great values, solidly built and decent on fuel.I think the Mini Cooper S is the best value for the money. You can rip the tires all you want, you have 6 speeds and a supercharger (NOT a turbo), you have attitude in the stripes and a nice size hood scoop, and this thing will take corners HARD (Power sliding through corners is almost impossible).
I think the Mini Cooper S with the JCW package (Works Ed.) is simply a waste of money. The only real differences are the JCW badges (one on the front hidden in the bottom of the front spoiler and one on the back), the exhaust system (which doesn't sound much different than the stock 'S'), and the extra 35 hp. All this for the low, low price of an additional $5000 PLUS dealer install!
I know that not everybody will agree with these opinions but I do hope they will aid you in your decision.
SDC
Cliff Notes
Mini (with Automatic): Spunky and a good value for non-power hungry people
Mini Cooper S: Great value, great power, great attitude, comfortable.
Mini Cooper S JCW: Great power but not worth the extra $5000+
ugh, YES, those Explorers are awful...when my car got stolen over the summer I had to borrow one to drive to work.
As for the suspension, making it softer would pretty much be a DOWNgrade and negatively affect the car's handling.
If you want a sporty car, you usually have to put up with a rougher ride.
i commute 106 mles a day, 53 each way, and chose a civic hybrid.
i get anywhere from 46-55mpg and buy gas once a week. if i'm good, i can get 58, but i don't like being good.
so i would say get what you want. i don't care for either but it's not my choice, the mini is a nice car for chicks, like the miata and the jeep wrangler....
my other car is a jeep cj7.
my other car is a 27' class c motor home made by thor
i get anywhere from 46-55mpg and buy gas once a week. if i'm good, i can get 58, but i don't like being good.
so i would say get what you want. i don't care for either but it's not my choice, the mini is a nice car for chicks, like the miata and the jeep wrangler....
my other car is a jeep cj7.
my other car is a 27' class c motor home made by thor
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