I'd get the 3. The Mini is kind of a yuppie-trendy thing that I don't really like that much anyway. The tC looks like a decent car, but I'm so sick of the way Toyota is advertising the whole Scion brand with people talking about being "tuners" who put playstations in cars, and offering stupid graphics and wings as options. I'd rather NOT support the whole riceboy industry.
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YACT: Mazda 3 vs. Mini Cooper (Base) vs. Scion TC
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wiredspider
Diamond Member
I would get the tC, just me though...
CombatChuk
Platinum Member
Just drove the TC, was pretty disappointed. The engine lacked the punch I expected. Drove an impreza 2.5RS, that impressed me. NFS4: the dealer I went to has 3 TC's that's been on the lot for two weeks. Now gonna drive the 3 5-door. The MINI is on a 1-yr wait in Denver so that's out of the question now.
CombatChuk
Platinum Member
It was the five-speed. It didn't feel like it at the thrust of the Impreza or the 3. I did like the sunroof on the TC (Looks just like the one on my Mom's Benz). Does anyone know if the impreza's interior was refreshed as of late? It looked much better than the 2002 WRX I was in.
CombatChuk
Platinum Member
She doesn't want that big of a car.
Vic
Elite Member
Yes, the interior in the 2.5RS was refreshed for 05. They copied the revised dash design from the Saab 9-2x clone and changed to a new 3-spoke steering wheel. The 05 RS does have the exact same seats as an 02-03 WRX though (which I like a lot btw but not everyone does as they don't accomodate the heavy set).
CombatChuk
Platinum Member
I found the seats pretty comfortable, I hadn't really considered the Impreza until I was driving back from the toyota dealership and saw a couple up front. The interior was a much needed upgrade for the Impreza and the all-wheel-drive, does make it very attractive.
CombatChuk
Platinum Member
True, it'd get the break-in period out of the way...
3s 5door owner so here's an obligatory vote for the Mazda.
I think it's just a lot more car in every way over the Mini. Mini has style and hype going for it, but just falls short in power and options when in non-S trim. It's got great resale though.
The TC wasn't out when I bought my 3 but I still wouldn't really consider it because I'm done with 2 doors and primary drivers. Just too inconvenient for me. If I'm already buying a hatch for function, I'm not going to kneecap that functionality by going with a coupe. I also don't like the looks as much as my 3s 5 door. Interior in the 3 is better, as several have pointed out.
I've only got two real complaints with the 3 - 1st and foremost is a weak AC unit. It's pretty overpowered by the AZ summers 🙁 It just never seems to be able to keep up with the heat. I've seen several 3 owners complain about this. My other complaint is that the stock stereo is a little on the weak side too and with the way the dash is set up, an afterparty HU is more or less out of the question.
Short of those two things, I think it's an amazing car for what you pay for it.
I think it's just a lot more car in every way over the Mini. Mini has style and hype going for it, but just falls short in power and options when in non-S trim. It's got great resale though.
The TC wasn't out when I bought my 3 but I still wouldn't really consider it because I'm done with 2 doors and primary drivers. Just too inconvenient for me. If I'm already buying a hatch for function, I'm not going to kneecap that functionality by going with a coupe. I also don't like the looks as much as my 3s 5 door. Interior in the 3 is better, as several have pointed out.
I've only got two real complaints with the 3 - 1st and foremost is a weak AC unit. It's pretty overpowered by the AZ summers 🙁 It just never seems to be able to keep up with the heat. I've seen several 3 owners complain about this. My other complaint is that the stock stereo is a little on the weak side too and with the way the dash is set up, an afterparty HU is more or less out of the question.
Short of those two things, I think it's an amazing car for what you pay for it.
CombatChuk
Platinum Member
Do you have the fuel pump issue on your 3?
iamwiz82
Lifer
What options is the base model missing other than the power?
It has more airbags than the 3 or the TC
Emergency fuel cutoff, auto hazard light operation, and auto unlocking in the event of an accident.
std ABS
optional traction control
run flats
mp3 playback
locking fuel door
speed sensitive wipers
speed sensitive radio
available Xenons, auto climate control, rain sensing wipers,
climate controlled locking glove box
flat tire monitor
seat height adjustment
remote window operations
no torque steer
Keys that recharge whenever you have them in the ignition
All for $500 more than a Mazda 3s.
The MINI has many many many crazy features that you just dont find anywhere else, in this price range. The base model has more than enough power (0-60 in 8.5sec, .2 second slower than a 3i).
Frankly I could give two rat's asses about "available" options...it's all about what it costs after you put them on and what you can get the car for out the door.
A large majority of that stuff you listed is standard or a low cost option on my 3.
I walked away with a 3s hatch w/
17" wheels
6 disk changer (MP3 was actually cheaper)
sunroof
HID's
leather
ABS
Tire pressure monitoring
Driver & passenger front airbags, side impact airbags, and side curtain airbags
a glove box you could put a basketball in
and 160HP/150 ft/lbs engine good for a 7.5'ish 0-60
All for 18,500 + TTL.
Good luck getting a slower, smaller mini for that with equal options.
A large majority of that stuff you listed is standard or a low cost option on my 3.
I walked away with a 3s hatch w/
17" wheels
6 disk changer (MP3 was actually cheaper)
sunroof
HID's
leather
ABS
Tire pressure monitoring
Driver & passenger front airbags, side impact airbags, and side curtain airbags
a glove box you could put a basketball in
and 160HP/150 ft/lbs engine good for a 7.5'ish 0-60
All for 18,500 + TTL.
Good luck getting a slower, smaller mini for that with equal options.
iamwiz82
Lifer
Wait, so all of that stuff was standard, since you don't care about available options? Either way, your car is only around $1,000 cheaper. Finally, Who is going to say that Mazda has better quality than BMW?
And my car has appreciated by $1500 since I bought it 9 months and 13,000 miles ago.
😉
2005 MINI Cooper
2dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl 5M)
What Others
Are Paying
MSRP Invoice
National Base Price
A note about advertising fees $16,449 $14,887 $16,449
Regional Adjustment
for Zip Code Change - - $0
Optional Equipment $4,970 $4,475 $4,970
-- Metallic Paint $420 $380 $420
ZCV Convenience Package N/A N/A N/A
ZSP Sport Package $1,350 $1,215 $1,350
ZPP Premium Package $1,350 $1,215 $1,350
-- Leather Upholstery $1,300 $1,170 $1,300
522 Xenon Headlights $550 $495 $550
Color Adjustment - - $0
Astro Black Metallic
Destination Charge $550 $550 $550
Total with Options $21,969 $19,912 $21,969
That's what it comes out to, and brings it up comparible to what my 3s hatch has. Because of the demand and wait lists people aren't getting deals on these dealers aren't dropping the price. My 3 on the other hand was 18,500 with about 15 minutes of negotiations. That's almost $3,500 difference.
And the mini is still smaller and slower.
As for resale, I'll give you that. It's crazy. But the closest Mini dealer to me is over 6 hours away. Not exactly convenient so that's a minus.
Sure the Mini might have better quality, but it's several thousand more, smaller, and slower. Same argument with many premium brands. It's up to the buyer if those compromises are worth it.
2dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl 5M)
What Others
Are Paying
MSRP Invoice
National Base Price
A note about advertising fees $16,449 $14,887 $16,449
Regional Adjustment
for Zip Code Change - - $0
Optional Equipment $4,970 $4,475 $4,970
-- Metallic Paint $420 $380 $420
ZCV Convenience Package N/A N/A N/A
ZSP Sport Package $1,350 $1,215 $1,350
ZPP Premium Package $1,350 $1,215 $1,350
-- Leather Upholstery $1,300 $1,170 $1,300
522 Xenon Headlights $550 $495 $550
Color Adjustment - - $0
Astro Black Metallic
Destination Charge $550 $550 $550
Total with Options $21,969 $19,912 $21,969
That's what it comes out to, and brings it up comparible to what my 3s hatch has. Because of the demand and wait lists people aren't getting deals on these dealers aren't dropping the price. My 3 on the other hand was 18,500 with about 15 minutes of negotiations. That's almost $3,500 difference.
And the mini is still smaller and slower.
As for resale, I'll give you that. It's crazy. But the closest Mini dealer to me is over 6 hours away. Not exactly convenient so that's a minus.
Sure the Mini might have better quality, but it's several thousand more, smaller, and slower. Same argument with many premium brands. It's up to the buyer if those compromises are worth it.
JACKHAMMER
Platinum Member
RSX an option?
CombatChuk
Platinum Member
No. I think there are better alternatives for her needs. And I think she doesn't like that car (too ricey)
CombatChuk
Platinum Member
Maybe the tail-lights on the 3s are a little one the rice side. But anything really Honda that's sporty = Ricey (anime as she calls it). If she was looking at some performance (and was serious about it) I'd show her the SRT-4
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