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POLL: is the Mini Cooper (non S or S) a "chick" car??

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Ummm.... I know for a FACT that a CooperS whoops on V6 Mustangs :evil:

The difference in hp/weight ratios is fairly small. Add in the 6sp Tranny in the MCS and mostly Slushboxes in the Mustang V6 along with poor handling and you don't have much competition at all. I'm not saying the MCS would blow it away but 9/10 times with drivers who are equal, the MCS will take the 'stangs.

SDC

EDIT: MCS's are also built AROUND drivers while V6 Stangs are simply offered for those who can't get into the performance models due to price. I love Mustangs but the V6's are not all that.
 
Originally posted by: BigSmooth
Originally posted by: Viper GTS
- They aren't that cheap
Click to expand...
They're not that cheap to buy, but they're exceedingly cheap to own. Edmund's bought a long-term Cooper S at MSRP in 2002 and sold it on Autotrader about a year later for only $700 less than the purchase price - and that was with 23K miles on it and a replaced tranny and clutch! Most cars depreciate way more than that the minute you drive them off the lot. While demand has cooled since then, their depreciation is still ridiculously low.

Plus they come with 3 years/36K miles free maintenance IIRC.
Click to expand...

The Cooper holds 76% of its value after 3 years. Highest of any regular production car
 
Dudes, I have pictured myself driving the Cooper S, and I think I have to go for it! 😀 I don't think it's a girly car, and I guess that's all that really matters 🙂.

Cooper S with both the Premium Package and Sport Package together MSRPs for $23K according to carsdirect.com. Problem is that the going rate on these is probably going to be $2K over MSRP (because I live in SoCal).

I am thinking of the dark metallic grey with a black roof, and maybe the black bonnet stripes. I need to test drive the thing first. I have already test driven the Acura TL and TSX, which were both very nice as well. Of course they also cost more than the Cooper S, but are also probably twice as big 🙂.

Anyone know of good bulletin boards like AT but for the Cooper? THanks!
 
Originally posted by: MazerRackham
Dudes, I have pictured myself driving the Cooper S, and I think I have to go for it! 😀 I don't think it's a girly car, and I guess that's all that really matters 🙂.

Cooper S with both the Premium Package and Sport Package together MSRPs for $23K according to carsdirect.com. Problem is that the going rate on these is probably going to be $2K over MSRP (because I live in SoCal).

I am thinking of the dark metallic grey with a black roof, and maybe the black bonnet stripes. I need to test drive the thing first. I have already test driven the Acura TL and TSX, which were both very nice as well. Of course they also cost more than the Cooper S, but are also probably twice as big 🙂.

Anyone know of good bulletin boards like AT but for the Cooper? THanks!
Click to expand...

http://www.northamericanmotoring.com

If you wanna have fun, fly out to MINI of the Hamptons and get an S there. I believe they were selling them at $500 below sticker for awhile. It'd be a hell of a roadtrip! 😀 If you test drive a MINI you are gonna be hooked, trust me.
 
the fact that you had to ask really brings your manhood into question.

a real man would do what he wanted and wouldn't worry what others thought.
 
Originally posted by: MazerRackham
I am thinking of the dark metallic grey with a black roof, and maybe the black bonnet stripes. I need to test drive the thing first. I have already test driven the Acura TL and TSX, which were both very nice as well. Of course they also cost more than the Cooper S, but are also probably twice as big 🙂.

Anyone know of good bulletin boards like AT but for the Cooper? THanks!
Click to expand...
http://www.mini2.com/forum/ 🙂
 
Originally posted by: BigSmooth
Originally posted by: MazerRackham
I am thinking of the dark metallic grey with a black roof, and maybe the black bonnet stripes. I need to test drive the thing first. I have already test driven the Acura TL and TSX, which were both very nice as well. Of course they also cost more than the Cooper S, but are also probably twice as big 🙂.

Anyone know of good bulletin boards like AT but for the Cooper? THanks!
Click to expand...
http://www.mini2.com/forum/ 🙂
Click to expand...

That board is based in Britian, so things are alittle screwy when talking over there. Packages, prices, options, etc.

Check out http://www.Motoringfile.com for the latest news.

EDIT: I am thinking about trading my Cooper in for a JCW S or a Cabrio S in August. I want the JCW, she wants the cabrio. Decisions decisions 😀
 
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Originally posted by: BigSmooth
Originally posted by: MazerRackham
I am thinking of the dark metallic grey with a black roof, and maybe the black bonnet stripes. I need to test drive the thing first. I have already test driven the Acura TL and TSX, which were both very nice as well. Of course they also cost more than the Cooper S, but are also probably twice as big 🙂.

Anyone know of good bulletin boards like AT but for the Cooper? THanks!
Click to expand...
http://www.mini2.com/forum/ 🙂
Click to expand...

That board is based in Britian, so things are alittle screwy when talking over there. Packages, prices, options, etc.

Check out http://www.Motoringfile.com for the latest news.

EDIT: I am thinking about trading my Cooper in for a JCW S or a Cabrio S in August. I want the JCW, she wants the cabrio. Decisions decisions 😀
Click to expand...
hey thanks! I'm going to look into it more, and try and go for a test drive this weekend... what's in store for '05 on these? Probably no changes I suspect..
 
05 is a major change.

New exterior colors
new headlights, taillights, rear fog lights
new map lights
new interior
larger rearview mirror
new storage in the doors, under the toggle switches
clock is being repositioned
bigger cupholders
2nd sun visor
new optional gauge cluster
CD player capable of MP3 playback (!)
new keys
new transmission in the Cooper
new wheels
more power across the line
CONVERTIBLE!

I think that is it.
 
Originally posted by: NFS4
Originally posted by: Viper GTS
Originally posted by: NFS4
Originally posted by: Viper GTS
Originally posted by: NFS4You can throw out all the numbers you want, but that really does NOTHING to prove your point. Regardless, a Mini Cooper would seriously own a V6 stang on all fronts.
Click to expand...

How do you figure?

With a driver the V6 Mustang will essentially have an equal (or better) HP/weight ratio than the Cooper S, a significantly better torque/weight ratio than the Cooper S, AND it's RWD.

The only thing the Cooper MIGHT have an advantage on is autocross, which is a VERY small piece of performance. The non S Cooper isn't even a competitor, in S trim it would be lagging at the V6 Stang's heels, and even the apparently godlike Works version would be left in the dust by the GT at roughly the same cost.

They might be neat little cars, but high performance they're not.

Viper GTS
Click to expand...

Who said anything about them being high performance? You're trying to classify it as such when it is little more than a hot hatch.

Your claim that the Cooper S is underpowered is what everyone is taking issue with when in fact, it's far from being so. Would you call a Mazda 3s or a Civic Si or a Nissan Sentra SE-R underpowered?
Click to expand...

You yourself said:

...a Mini Cooper would seriously own a V6 stang on all fronts.

Perhaps high performance wasn't the best way to say it... Performance value maybe? Even remotely quick? However you try to spin it, a Cooper S is at BEST the performance equivalent of a V6 Mustang (and even that would be a stretch).

Basically it comes down to this:

- They aren't that fast
- They aren't that cheap
- Yes, they're cute and fun

Viper GTS
Click to expand...

A Cooper S would out accelerate, out brake, out handle, out slalom and just about own in on the autocross. The Mustang V6 is little more than a 25 year old fox platform clinging on for deal life.
Click to expand...

I'd take a Cooper S way before I would grab a Mustang with a six.

I rarely see a Cooper on the road except when I'm in the Hamptons for some reason.
 
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
05 is a major change.

New exterior colors
new headlights, taillights, rear fog lights
new map lights
new interior
larger rearview mirror
new storage in the doors, under the toggle switches
clock is being repositioned
bigger cupholders
2nd sun visor
new optional gauge cluster
CD player capable of MP3 playback (!)
new keys
new transmission in the Cooper
new wheels
more power across the line
CONVERTIBLE!

I think that is it.
Click to expand...

Holy Crap! :Q Guess I should wait then, eh? 😀 Major problem is going to be getting of these for anything near MSRP... stupid SoCal! 😛
 
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Originally posted by: BigSmooth
Originally posted by: MazerRackham
I am thinking of the dark metallic grey with a black roof, and maybe the black bonnet stripes. I need to test drive the thing first. I have already test driven the Acura TL and TSX, which were both very nice as well. Of course they also cost more than the Cooper S, but are also probably twice as big 🙂.

Anyone know of good bulletin boards like AT but for the Cooper? THanks!
Click to expand...
http://www.mini2.com/forum/ 🙂
Click to expand...

That board is based in Britian, so things are alittle screwy when talking over there. Packages, prices, options, etc.

Check out http://www.Motoringfile.com for the latest news.

EDIT: I am thinking about trading my Cooper in for a JCW S or a Cabrio S in August. I want the JCW, she wants the cabrio. Decisions decisions 😀
Click to expand...

I heard that the Cabrio will NOT be available in the S. I heard it from a rep at the Cleveland Autio Show a month or two back. If it IS available in S-form.....I'm all there. I was looking at the Pontiac Solstice for '06-'07 (never buy first year product...especially from GM) because it looks like a contender in the mini's class.

SDC
 
Originally posted by: SupaDupaCheez
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Originally posted by: BigSmooth
Originally posted by: MazerRackham
I am thinking of the dark metallic grey with a black roof, and maybe the black bonnet stripes. I need to test drive the thing first. I have already test driven the Acura TL and TSX, which were both very nice as well. Of course they also cost more than the Cooper S, but are also probably twice as big 🙂.

Anyone know of good bulletin boards like AT but for the Cooper? THanks!
Click to expand...
http://www.mini2.com/forum/ 🙂
Click to expand...

That board is based in Britian, so things are alittle screwy when talking over there. Packages, prices, options, etc.

Check out http://www.Motoringfile.com for the latest news.

EDIT: I am thinking about trading my Cooper in for a JCW S or a Cabrio S in August. I want the JCW, she wants the cabrio. Decisions decisions 😀
Click to expand...

I heard that the Cabrio will NOT be available in the S. I heard it from a rep at the Cleveland Autio Show a month or two back. If it IS available in S-form.....I'm all there. I was looking at the Pontiac Solstice for '06-'07 (never buy first year product...especially from GM) because it looks like a contender in the mini's class.

SDC
Click to expand...
There will definitely be a Cooper S Cabrio - it's already been announced by Mini UK. My guess is that you might have to wait a little longer to get it, though.
 
All I know is that it is the only hatchback that my girlfriend likes and it is one of my gay friend's favorite cars. I'd lean toward saying that a lot of people think it is a "girly" car.
 
Originally posted by: BigSmooth
Originally posted by: SupaDupaCheez
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Originally posted by: BigSmooth
Originally posted by: MazerRackham
I am thinking of the dark metallic grey with a black roof, and maybe the black bonnet stripes. I need to test drive the thing first. I have already test driven the Acura TL and TSX, which were both very nice as well. Of course they also cost more than the Cooper S, but are also probably twice as big 🙂.

Anyone know of good bulletin boards like AT but for the Cooper? THanks!
Click to expand...
http://www.mini2.com/forum/ 🙂
Click to expand...

That board is based in Britian, so things are alittle screwy when talking over there. Packages, prices, options, etc.

Check out http://www.Motoringfile.com for the latest news.

EDIT: I am thinking about trading my Cooper in for a JCW S or a Cabrio S in August. I want the JCW, she wants the cabrio. Decisions decisions 😀
Click to expand...

I heard that the Cabrio will NOT be available in the S. I heard it from a rep at the Cleveland Autio Show a month or two back. If it IS available in S-form.....I'm all there. I was looking at the Pontiac Solstice for '06-'07 (never buy first year product...especially from GM) because it looks like a contender in the mini's class.

SDC
Click to expand...
There will definitely be a Cooper S Cabrio - it's already been announced by Mini UK. My guess is that you might have to wait a little longer to get it, though.
Click to expand...

Here is a shot of the Cabrio S.

The new changes will be coming into effect for all production starting July 1. I don't know when it will filter to the US, but an order typically takes 10 weeks to process.
 
I own a Blue Cooper S with white roof and white bonnet stripes. We were going to buy a grey one, but if you look around, especially on the westside, the most common color is the dark grey.

I love it. Actually I bought it for my wife and of course I drive it quite often. I too live in So Cal, this car is plenty quick for the 100 feet you get to accelerate on the 405, 10, 605, 101....... or what ever freeway you're going to be stuck on.

FYI

There are several dealers in SoCal, and ALMOST everyone of them charges a 2500-3500 premium over the MSRP. I ordered mine and it took a good 3 months to arrive. I did get excactly what I wanted though. I think the dealer in downtown (Nick i think) doesn't charge a premiun, however, they told me I had to wait 1 year if I didn't want to pay. Well this was the case about 6 months ago when I ordered it. Good luck and see how long it takes you to order one, it might take so long that they'll start shipping the 2005 models. This was the case with mine, ordered in end of 2003, arrived in Nov 2004 and I got the 2004 model.
 
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