Hello out there.

The Wife loves the way Minis look, so I'm exploring it quite seriously as an option. Not sure if I can get a JCW outfitted model in an automatic, but we'd love to just have a pure two seater Mini to replace our RSX. We know from experience that the rear seats are useless in the RSX so why not just get rid of them?

Anyway, I hope I don't annoy too many enthusiasts with my questions!

Off to see what kind of information I can dredge up from these boards. Especially on the JCW. The web at large and the Mini site doesn't really have a lot of info on that.

Brief Bio:

Happily married for going on eight years now to a brilliant woman.

Northerners living near Austin Texas. Fun city.

We love small cars, we don't mind the groans we get from our friends when they hear about our car choices, and we're the 'odd' ones in our social circle and family. Hatchbacks are my car of choice, and I really wish there were more options here stateside.

We're just starting our Thirties and don't plan on ever having children.

I'm not much of a gearhead. Though I don't really enjoy driving a manual, I'd like to think that it would still be okay for me to /enjoy/ cars as much as I do. For that reason I was seriously considering a 2008 Audi with the DSG transmission, but the build level I was interested in seems to get 19mpg in real world testing. Such a beautiful car, however, and some part of me aches to buy it. Hoping a nicely built out Mini will work out instead.

Really hoping I won't get the usual 'Manual only' attitude. A good friend is teaching me how to drive manual, but for some reason I honestly just don't enjoy it. It lacks my usual flow: which is enjoying my drive without being loud, flashy, or trying to demonstrate how much testosterone I have. No, I don't drive my automatic car with one hand on a cellphone, the other hand holding a coffee. Both hands on the wheel. Minimal brake. Fluid motion over the hills, through the curves. Just enjoying the car. When I fight her manual transmission, or have to coax it, it just breaks that flow.

Considering making this the first car that I mildly modify, or going for The Works package if I can get that on an Automatic. That may not be possible.

I'd actually prefer to have the car built to my wishes/requirements rather than buy a car off the lot. The nearest Mini dealer (San Antonio Texas)

My current cars are:

2002 Acura RSX (base)which has ~130k miles on it. Small, easy to park, reasonable turn of speed on it. It's just time to move onto something new, and I'd replace this car most likely with a Mini.

2005 Maxima SE with 23000 miles on it. This is the car that we use when people visit, or when I'm the designated driver on weekends.

 

I'm pretty sure the previous model JCW cars were manuals only. The only two seater MINI so far was the previous model GP car. For the current car, you could prob just get the regular r56 MCSa and buy the stage 1 JCW kit for automatics that's coming out in the future. The current stage 1 JCW kit is only for manuals. The upcoming JCW car from the factory is supposed to b offered as a manual only. No word on a new GP car yet. So, most likely, yeah, you'll have to buy a current r56 MCSa and just get the stage 1 kit for autos when it comes out and then just yank the rear seats out if you want.

 

Welcome to NAM, Sibiliance! The MCS automatic is a very versatile car...don't let the rabid naysayers intimidate you! You sound like a great guy. I don't know how far the club is from you, but check out the Metroplex MINI club forum. Lots of very cool folks in that group.

 

Things i heard from jealous/ugly/fat/bad* people

1. A Mini and you? You sure it's going to look nice with you in it?
2. WHAT?! An automatic cooper S? You out of your mind?
3. What no manual? and sporty cooper?
4. You in a mini? Why not try a PT cruiser? or Volvo
5. Real men drive real cars and manual at that
6. Mini is a girlish car


All those people who said the above things are friends/co-workers (so i like 'em despite them being annoying)

Goto miniusa.com and see if you can outfit JCW on an automatic (yes you can!) but do it anyway! and if you want an automatic, get an automatic!

* I am fat too (but working on it). I just used those adjectives to drive home the point :P

 

Welcome to NAM.

Nothing wrong with a Cooper S with an auto. It comes with paddle shifters, so you can shift for yourself or let the car do it for you. The MINI's not a 2 seater, but for me it's an occasional 3 seater. I'm like you, I love hatchbacks.

I don't think the JCW kit will be available on an auto, but I could be wrong about that. I believe if you go with some aftermarket parts you will do as well as the JCW or maybe better at a lower cost.

Have you seen the new Volvo C30? That looks pretty interesting to me.

 

Welcome to the world of MINIs - Glad to have you aboard As you have discovered, NAM has a wealth of info. to help you with just about anything. And lots of great MINI peeps to help answer questions...

Donna

 

Check out the JCW section on MotoringFile for everything you ever wanted to know: motoringfile.com/section/jcw/

Then you'll probably want to check out this report on the JCW Auto: motoringfile.com/2007/06/13/r56-jcw-engine-kit-auto-availability/

 

I thoroughly enjoy driving my MCa. I just don't enjoy driving a manual and I don't care if people think I should. Building and having YOUR MINI is all about having exactly what YOU want

 

Wow.

Just... wow. Something about that car's outward design is really hooking into me in a good way.

At this point I'm probably going to test drive a GTI today and see if the San Antonio Mini dealer will let me test drive something. But I think I'll take a good hard look at that Volvo. Doesn't seem like it is in the same league performance wise, but it is surprisingly eye catching and emotional for a Volvo.

 

Welcome!

 

I had a GTI VR6 a number of years ago -- a fun car, but had lots of mechanical issues. VW isn't well known for reliability.

 

Welcome to NAM! I grew up on a stick shift ['59 Morris Mini Minor], but now own TWO non-manual MINIs, one an '03 MC CVT, and the other, an '06 MCSa. I never thought I'd ever NOT want to drive a stick anymore...until these two cars came into my life. Each has its own personality, but both are agile and economical. Whichever car you choose, you WILL fall in love with it.

 

I can give a hearty +1 on getting the Automatic. Got one because of my wife and there are times that I really want a manual but the automatic works great. As for the JCW, you can look for the kit mentioned previously. But also be aware that there are a lot of the same equipment that can be had cheaper and offer more perfomance from vendors on here. The only drawback is the lack of the JCW badges. I'm finding out this fact now as I'm thinking about going back and adding some of the JCW things I wish I'd gotten and didn't.

 

I will vote +2 on the Automatic... I drove manuals for 10 years plus but this little Aut box is the best, and the paddles; wait until you try them....

 

Same here - the paddles are great!

 

Thanks everyone.

People here seem rather friendly, and my test drive today was loads of fun.

... Even though the test car flagged its Check Engine light half way through the drive and went into limp mode.

I'll probably be here reading the boards and asking questions for the next few months, as The Wife has declared in her all knowing wisdom that one shall not take an order on a Mini until at least until December arrives. I remarked on her beauty and thanked providence for my mate, and lamented my lack of bardic skills; surely she should be discussed in song, not mere prose.

(She might be reading these forums. A little flattery never hurts, right?)

During that time I'll probably bug the dealer for another test drive.

Have fun out there.

 

You and I are in similar positions here. We're looking to replace my wife's daily driver. She has remarked that she'd like something smaller so we're looking at lots of small, economical but fun cars. So far, we've driven 3 Minis, GTI, Eos, R-32, 335i and 328i and we still need to drive the C-30 and S-40T5, maybe a few Hondas and probably a TSX. We've always owned manual transmissions until this last car. Now, we need autos because of wife's commute, carpal tunnel flare-ups and my occasional bouts of clutch ankle tendinitis.

So, one of the most important things to me is to find a really good autobox. The Mini's is good, but not quite as good as the GTI's DSG. If the transmission was the only factor, the VW would win out but life isn't that simple. The GTI is a fun car but it doesn't offer the overall fun level of the MCS. And that doesn't even take VW's build issues into account. The 335i is intoxicating but I can't wrap my head around spending $47K for a coupe outfitted the way we want it (it's thirsty too). I'd love a 135i but we can't wait until Spring.

So far, for me, the MCSa is number 1. We plan on finishing our test drives this week and then making our short list of cars to drive again. I'm really looking forward to more time in a Mini. If there's one piece of advice I'd give you, it would be to test drive a manual Mini, just for kicks. It's a total blast (as is the auto) and it's a win-win proposition for you. Driving a manual has nothing to do with testosterone. Treat a manual like an ape and it's going to bite you. It's about finesse, precision and being one with your machine. Even if you buy an auto (like us), that feeling of executing the perfect 3rd to 2nd downshift is something to be treasured.

 

Again, welcome to the managerie! Feel free to post your questions and or concerns anytime. As you can see, we LOVE to talk and offer advice.