What car should I get? Mini Cooper or Miata?

[Scouzer]

Definitely Miata

 

[AMDZen]

Originally posted by: waggy

Originally posted by: JDrake
Neither of them, unless you're a queer

wow so either car is for queers?

I wouldn't go that far, however its my opinion that the miata is definetely almost as metro as you can get. Mini is only one step behind, and the only thing more metro then a miata is a guy driving in a new VW beatle. If you get the VW Beatle convertable though, your past metro and simply haven't come out of the closet yet (that is unless you have).

Although its not for me - being metro seems to be popular these days so what are you gonna do? Personally, I know some guys that are so metro its disgusting

 

[letdown427]

Of the two you're interested in, I have the following observations/input:

Both are very girly cars. Almost definitively girly. I'd say it's a tie.

Miata is better to drive. No doubt. It's fmaous for that. It's RWD.

Luggage space someone mentioned. I've never seen in a miata, but the trunk on a mini is non existent. My GF had one, it was useless. But you can put the seats down I guess, so it does have more space. Mini win I guess.

If other men question your sexuality in buying either of them, at least you can argue the miata is RWD. RWD = Man's car

Getting a mini you get to join the I drive a mini wonderfanclub where you all wave at each other and so on. Probably the same in a miata, but less blatant.

Meh, forced to take one or the other, I'd take the Miata. Have fun either way. Oh and if it's just a normal cooper you're getting, it'll be slow. Get the Miata

 

[Gooberlx2]

Originally posted by: letdown427
....

Meh, forced to take one or the other, I'd take the Miata. Have fun either way. Oh and if it's just a normal cooper you're getting, it'll be slow. Get the Miata

Everyone says this, but when my GF and I test drove a manual non-S Cooper it was plenty zippy....as least compared to her auto 2001 Cabrio. *shrug*

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: Gooberlx2

Originally posted by: letdown427
....

Meh, forced to take one or the other, I'd take the Miata. Have fun either way. Oh and if it's just a normal cooper you're getting, it'll be slow. Get the Miata

Everyone says this, but when my GF and I test drove a manual non-S Cooper it was plenty zippy....as least compared to her auto 2001 Cabrio. *shrug*

The 07 Cooper also weighs 200lbs less and has 15hp more than the 02-06.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: BoomerD
I know this is probably a strange concept, but how about looking at both cars, taking both for a test drive, and making a semi-intelligent decision, based on which one you actually like more, instead of asking which one you should buy?

Both cars have their plusses and minuses, and IMO, the Cooper will be of better build quality, but in the end, it's more about what you like most, rather than any thing else...

You can always get an extended warranty to cover any mechanical shortcomings of either car...

the miata was ranked best sporty small car by JD power's latest 3 year dependability survey. the miata rated ahead of the MR2 and celica as the 2nd and 3rd place finishers. MINI was waaaay down the list. maybe it was just first year gremlins, but the OP is buying a used car (something that just about everyone here seems to have missed). maybe it was all fixed for 2004, but maybe not.

edit:HOLY COW 2 GMs and a FORD were ranked ahead of both CAMRY AND ACCORD?!?! amy i reading that right?

anyway, for used, i'd definitely get the miata. if i were buying new i might hold out for the 07 MINI with the supercharged engine... that thing is going to be terrific.

Originally posted by: Gooberlx2
Everyone says this, but when my GF and I test drove a manual non-S Cooper it was plenty zippy....as least compared to her auto 2001 Cabrio. *shrug*

an auto cabrio with the 2.slow engine has got to be the slowest thing on the road

 

[thedarkwolf]

If any car makes a miata look manly its a mini. I want a miata myself so I'm a bit biased but its rwd and rwd > fwd.

 

[iversonyin]

another vote for the miata.

 

[AMDZen]

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: BoomerD
I know this is probably a strange concept, but how about looking at both cars, taking both for a test drive, and making a semi-intelligent decision, based on which one you actually like more, instead of asking which one you should buy?

Both cars have their plusses and minuses, and IMO, the Cooper will be of better build quality, but in the end, it's more about what you like most, rather than any thing else...

You can always get an extended warranty to cover any mechanical shortcomings of either car...

the miata was ranked best sporty small car by JD power's latest 3 year dependability survey. the miata rated ahead of the MR2 and celica as the 2nd and 3rd place finishers. MINI was waaaay down the list. maybe it was just first year gremlins, but the OP is buying a used car (something that just about everyone here seems to have missed). maybe it was all fixed for 2004, but maybe not.


anyway, for used, i'd definitely get the miata. if i were buying new i might hold out for the 07 MINI with the supercharged engine... that thing is going to be terrific.

A Japanese car is almost ALWAYS more reliable then a European car. Hell, even American cars are all more reliable then European. There are very, very few exceptions to this - some Porsche's being one of them. BMW (mini) being one of the worst for reliability, consistantly - at least in my experience.

 

[cKGunslinger]

Miata for the fun-to-drive aspect.

Plus, you get to ride around with that "My c0ck is bigger than yours" smile when you pull up next to the pansies, like JDrake, in their Ford Excursions. :sun:

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: Gigantopithecus
The Mini will be more pragmatic (more cargo capacity, better in inclement weather) & has a slightly better fuel economy. I think it gets better safety ratings, too. I've driven both & think they're both a lot of fun to drive.

"Pragmatic"? Cars may have "soul", but I doubt they have personal philosophies.

I'd probably go for the Miata, because it's RWD, and the new Miatas aren't bad looking at all (in fact, they wouldn't even be considered "girl cars" if they weren't the sequel to the line of "jellybean" Miatas.) Then again, they're much more common than Minis, so...

 

[Gooberlx2]

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: Gooberlx2
Everyone says this, but when my GF and I test drove a manual non-S Cooper it was plenty zippy....as least compared to her auto 2001 Cabrio. *shrug*

an auto cabrio with the 2.slow engine has got to be the slowest thing on the road

Lol, yeah....almost. We do manage to beat the semis off the line though. GF's a crappy driver and doesn't need to be zipping along...and I have enough tickets now that I don't need anything to encourage me to zip along either.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Miata. The new one looks cool as hell and it is a good reliable car. More than I can say for the BMW Mini.

 

[BoomerD]

http://www.automotive.com/2005/12/mini/cooper/reviews/index.html
http://www.forbesautos.com/reviews/2006/mini/cooper_s/model-update.html
http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2006/05/05/005770.html
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/int...oice/369_0509_review_2006_mini_cooper/

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: cKGunslinger
Miata for the fun-to-drive aspect.

Plus, you get to ride around with that "My c0ck is bigger than yours" smile when you pull up next to the pansies, like JDrake, in their Ford Excursions. :sun:

:thumbsup::laugh:

 

[Stifko]

This thread needed a poll. I like them both but would probably get a mini.

 

[BeauJangles]

Originally posted by: jagec

Originally posted by: Gigantopithecus
The Mini will be more pragmatic (more cargo capacity, better in inclement weather) & has a slightly better fuel economy. I think it gets better safety ratings, too. I've driven both & think they're both a lot of fun to drive.

"Pragmatic"? Cars may have "soul", but I doubt they have personal philosophies.

I'd probably go for the Miata, because it's RWD, and the new Miatas aren't bad looking at all (in fact, they wouldn't even be considered "girl cars" if they weren't the sequel to the line of "jellybean" Miatas.) Then again, they're much more common than Minis, so...

Unless I completely misunderstood your post, you might interested in knowing that pragmatic can mean practical.

 

[KDOG]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: cKGunslinger
Miata for the fun-to-drive aspect.

Plus, you get to ride around with that "My c0ck is bigger than yours" smile when you pull up next to the pansies, like JDrake, in their Ford Excursions. :sun:

:thumbsup::laugh:

You MUST be joking. Do that and you'll end up looking like the other crushed soda cans when he runs your dinky ass over.

 

[kalster]

Originally posted by: KDOG

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: cKGunslinger
Miata for the fun-to-drive aspect.

Plus, you get to ride around with that "My c0ck is bigger than yours" smile when you pull up next to the pansies, like JDrake, in their Ford Excursions. :sun:

:thumbsup::laugh:

You MUST be joking. Do that and you'll end up looking like the other crushed soda cans when he runs your dinky ass over.

right, which would explain their "My c0ck is bigger than yours" attitude

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: BlinderBomber
Unless I completely misunderstood your post, you might interested in knowing that pragmatic can mean practical.

A person is pragmatic. A car is practical. You can't apply "pragmatic" to non-thinking objects. "Bill was a pragmatic sort, who would only buy practical cars. As a result, he wasn't able to get a date for the Enchantment Under the Sea dance"

 

[DannyLove]

miata = gay

mini is near there too, but if these are the only options, I'd vote for the Mini

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: KDOG

You MUST be joking. Do that and you'll end up looking like the other crushed soda cans when he runs your dinky ass over.

Yeah...I always find it amusing how the owners of monster SUVs love talking about all the "dinky cars" they like to "crush". Because, you know, they do that ALL THE TIME.

Nice try.

 

[ballmode]

miata

 

[mitaiwan82]

The Mini has so much more room than the Miata. If you want a driver's car, I would say Miata hands down...it's less compromised as a sports car.

Originally posted by: jagec

Originally posted by: BlinderBomber
Unless I completely misunderstood your post, you might interested in knowing that pragmatic can mean practical.

A person is pragmatic. A car is practical. You can't apply "pragmatic" to non-thinking objects. "Bill was a pragmatic sort, who would only buy practical cars. As a result, he wasn't able to get a date for the Enchantment Under the Sea dance"

BTTF reference?

 

[Ika]

Originally posted by: DannyLove
miata = gay

mini is near there too, but if these are the only options, I'd vote for the Mini

Nobody said the OP wasn't gay...