I currently drive an '07 VW GTI 5-door black, 6 speed, with stage one software. The car is very quick, has a nice interior, and is fun to drive. I looked at an '06 Mini Cooper S before I got the GTI and really liked it. In fact it was by far the most fun to drive. The GTI was next on the fun to drive scale, but it seemed like a better daily driver - nicer interior, ample torque, and more usable space for transporting things. However, after a year of ownership I am finding myself lurking around this website, again. Maybe it is "grass is greener" syndrome, but I absolutely love the way the Mini drove and the exterior look. Then, I get into my car with stage one software and love the ample torque and nicer interior. I am truly facing a difficult decision - sale or trade-in the GTI and get an '07-'08 Mini, or stick with what I have. I am in no way unhappy with my current car, I just think the Mini might give me more smiles day in and day out.

Help a Mini-newbie out! Thanks.

JP

 

I've had my Mini for about 2 months now, and I LOVE it! I totally understand the obsession people have with their Minis. You will def get a lot of smiles from people. Since I bought my Mini, I have no problem turning onto a road with traffic. Seeing the car just makes everyone happy, and they let me in, which is a rarity being so close to Mass! As my boyfriend says, no one who drives a Mini is an @$$hole.

 

hmmm I like my 06 "S" vs the 07 and 08 purely for the supercharger revving up. Think about that before going out to get the newer Mini. I traded in a 2008 Honda Accord for my 2006...not like your VDub, but I had a 2002 VDub Turbo S Bug 6 Speed with a chip and could scream, but at 12,000 miles it had issues...I thought maybe it had something to do with being built in Mexico with parts made in MX...but who knows? Maybe I just had a lemon...where was your Vdub Made? My 2006 mini S is the most fun I have had with my pants on...sometimes I am having so much fun, I check to make sure they are still on....good luck!

 

What sort of financial constraints do you have? I'd say if it's even a concern, keep the v-dub.

Don't get me wrong, I'd take my Mini over the GTI any day of the week. But moving from one brand new car to another doesn't make any financial sense, and should only be done by folks who love cars and have the cash to play with.

Also - the Mini you drove is not the same car as it has become. I'd go take an R56 for a spin, and see if you still feel the same way (WARNING: this may worsen your "problem")

 

Thanks for the advice folks, particularly penguin. Moving from one car to another should not be too bad since I have over a year of payments on the GTI. I will try to test drive the new Mini to get a better idea.

Thanks.

JP

 

Have you driven a R32? It is closer to the MINI then the GTI driving wise and the AWD eliminates the torque steer of both cars.

Only reason I mention this is because it seems like you already like the VW interior/extra space. The R32 would be a way to keep that but upgrade the driving experience.

In the end I bought the MCSa because it was cheaper and I wanted to join the MINI culture. Certainly go drive the newer MINIs it will be worth your time.

 

how about a trade? i need a bigger car with my kids.

 

ipeverywhere: I have not driven the new R32, but I doubt the experience is closer to the Mini. I say this because the R32 is less "nimble" than the GTI, but overall supposedly feels more planted and sure-footed than the GTI. My GTI with stage one is faster than the R32 and the GTI so that is not a concern. Overall the driving experience would be better in some aspects - overall handling - and worse in others - straight line speed.

You hit it on the head with the Mini culture, though. It seems that is a huge draw.

Flaco: Where are you and what car do you have?

 

i just moved from an '04 vr6 to the cooper S. i think the thing i miss most from the vr6 experience is just the simple "feel" of the big engine, and the remarkable low-end torque. while not the most nimble off the line, there were few cars i thought that could match the pulling power it had at high gears.

dont get me wrong though, the mini's certainly not lacking for power and torque. love the styling and the stance too. having minimal bumper overhang is awesome.

 

Well, I'm going out now to just drive the damn thing. My impressions later...

 

Can't speak from experience as a previous owner, but I test drove the GTI various times before purchasing my MCS and gave lots of consideration to it. Primary things that drew me were the DSG transmission (need an auto) and very nice interior. For the specs I wanted the GTI would have actually been cheaper, so money was not an issue.

In the end what drew me to the MINI is its styling, the driving experience and the whole MINI culture. Call me overly dramatic and I'm sure not everyone is of this same opinion, but the MINI is so much more than a car to me. It's a statement, a life style; so unique in every way and that plays a huge factor into any purchase I make. I see so many GTI's in my area and they can't be customized too much, so one ends up driving a car which lots of other people have. Also the MINI has that small car driving feel which IMO the GTI simply couldn't match. Granted the GTI is significantly larger and heavier so perhaps it's not a fair comparison.

Other items that came into play, but to a lesser extent, were fuel economy, insurance costs and reliability. GTI would have been significantly more for me to insure, I'd be gassing up more often and the stories I've read regarding its liability scare me to say the least. MINI, and many German cars for that matter, may not have a perfect record either, but I've just heard way too many bad things regarding VW in that aspect.

Best of luck and definitely post back with your impressions.

 

Well, I went down to a Mini dealer just south of Atlanta. I drove an '08 Cooper S.

The Breakdown:

Exterior Styling: Mini hands-down
Interior Styling: GTI hands-down
Engine: GTI (especially with Revo software as is installed in my car, torque everywhere and no torque steer)
Suspension/handling: Mini - just too fun! (the Mini I test drove had the sport suspension)
Brakes: Mini - brake feel is superb; much better than the GTI
Steering: Mini - Mini steering is tight and responsive; driving my GTI home I noticed the GTI steering is loose by comparison, but still very good
Seats: GTI - more supportive overall with larger side bolsters to hold my skinny frame in place
Electronics: GTI - the MFD in the dash would be difficult to do without, overall feel is much nicer, sound system is better
Cargo space: GTI

X-Factor GTI: The GTI is in my possession now, it is fun to drive although not as fun as the Mini. I have already spent money to reflash the ECU with stage 1 software. I really do like the car and have minimal complaints. Minis are everywhere around Atlanta, although I could customize it. I don't see many GTIs and if I do they are not 5-door.

X-Factor Mini: Mellow Yellow Mini for Georgia Tech alumni. So much fun to drive. Mini culture.

Thoughts right now: Perhaps I should modify the suspension on the GTI to reduce body roll and improve responsiveness in the twisties. If I were to go to the Mini I would likely end up with the same payment and it would seem that day in and day out living with the Mini might be less comfortable in some aspects than the GTI which could lead me to regret my decision. However, seeing that mug looking at you in the garage might be enough to win me over and turning on to a curvaceous back road might remind me again why I made the switch. Making the GTI handle might be the more reasonable approach, though.

 

Conclusion: Still processing options...

 

Hmmm, tough decision. By the time you are able to make the GTI handle like a MINI, you could have a MINI that might just be as fast (with the 07-08's)... I went from a '01 1.8 Jetta with almost every bolt-on you could do and APR chip'd (boosting 19-20PSI). I miss it, but I got tired of driving it, and I have yet to get tired of driving my '03 S. Good luck. I really don't think you'd regret your decision.

Now this '07 is pure sex

 

I had an 03 GTI, then went to a Supercharged mustang, now I have the MCS with a JCW Stage 1 kit and some lite wheels, guess what, the torque is back and I'm getting 27-31mpg!! I love it, probably the most fun car I've had in a long time. My mustang was faster, but not as fun to drive, and my 12-17mpg was a joke. I'll probably be doing many mods to the Mini in the future, this is my first Mini and I always look forward to driving it.

 

I also strongly considered the GTI. I am a current Audi A4 owner and I really like the new 2.0 litter engine, interior and overall driving experience.... but I could not pull the trigger on the GTI. Also, the local VW dealer is about 4 miles from my house and my mechanic also works on VWs as well. But, I did not love the GTI enough to buy it.

I considered the previous gen Mini but thought the dealership was much too far away. (it is 100 miles from my house) I took one for a test drive about 2 weeks ago and ended up ordering a 2008 MCS about two days later. I fell in love with the MCS and can't wait for it to arrive!

There are pros/cons for both cars but I was able to pull the trigger after just one drive while I waffled on the GTI for over one year. The MCS just has more going for it overall with more personality, better handling, more fun to drive, and the great Mini community. Also, the GTI is somewhat slanted towards the "boy racer" world which was a turn off for me.

I can't wait for my MCS to arrive ... hopefully in February!

 

I just sold my '01 Audi S4 (biturbo).

I kept the Audi as a 3rd car for the past year believing my '06 MCS might not practical enough as my daily driver with a family of 4 (wife has an SUV). But it turned out that I just stopped driving the S4 after I got the MCS. Sure the S4 was faster, more comfortable and more practical, but she simply wasn't as much fun to drive. Bottom line was that I drove the S4 for transportation, and the MINI for enjoyment.

I also own a motorcycle, and that still is the most fun for me to ride, but the MINI is the next closest thing to a motorcycle that I could find on four wheels that can still haul my family of 4 around in reasonable comfort. I also have winter wheels, the factory racks, and a cargo box to make the MINI more practical as a my primary car.

I always thought the MINI is was what you would get if you crossed an S4 with a motorcycle. See my gallery "The Parents" and my sig. below.

 

Thanks, guys. Your comments have only made it more difficult. I will continue to read up on here and keep learning about the car before I pull the trigger.

 

Snapper,

Your post is amazing. It sounds like a mirror of me. I have used the same slogan for many years -- "It's more fun to drive a slow car fast, than a fast car slow". I use this very same phrase on my son every time he tells me that I should buy the latest and greatest 400 HP car that hits the market.

I also considered a new motorcycle (have owned three previously) as well but that the Mini would be a good four wheel alternative. My wife was also much more willing to go the Mini route than the motorcycle route.

 

JP, good luck with your "problem". I too looked at the GTI and other cars. Funny though, I liked the car but I am one of the few who didn't like the interior. Each to his own. For me, the MINI would do everything I wanted (fun to drive, designed, decent gas mileage, highest resale in Canada, etc.)

It was my early retirement present to myself; never had a car like this and will likely never have a pricier car. That's not your situation though, is it? Why not drive it for another couple of years and see what the MINI or JCW looks like then. Or consider a great deal on a low mileage used car that has some proven mods...

 

Not really a "problem", just an enthusiast looking at options. I know what you mean, though.

 

Thanks for everyones post. So, is there anyone out there that has something negative to say about the Mini?

 

Well, it's pricey.
Often takes a long time to be built and delivered.
The back gets dirty fast. Really fast.
Some people find the ride rough.
Some people don't like the run flat tires.
Some people have had reliability issues.
It wants to be modified.
Then it wants to go fast. Really fast.
Gas mileage drops like a stone when you put your foot in it.

 

Mine ate one complete set of factory run-flat tires in a little over one year with no track days or auto-cross. ~18k miles i think, but it seemed pretty quick.

Really thats about all I've got, I'm sure others have had a few other things.

Also a low mileage 05-06 S with the limited slip and a 15% reduction supercharger pulley is a really nice quick car. Passing or merging is NOT an issue.

 

I've got a lot of research to do.