Hey guys.
I'm a Subaru WRX STi owner, and trading/selling to buy a Mini to save on gas. I only need a base model, and only really need the cold weather package. I'd like the sunroof, but yikes, no real cover? Anyhow, I'm going to be driving 60+ miles roundtrip each day, and wondering what you guys wish you had ordered. I'm looking at a base 10', because the rebates are so cheap.

Also, when I do get the Mini, what mods can I get that will improve gas mileage. Intake, exhaust,etc?
Are the sport seats more comfortable than the regular seats?
Is interstate driving bearable?

Eventually, maybe after I get a new car years down the line, I might turn it into a autoX car. But for now, gas saver, and to carry me(and maybe the wife on the weekends) to the base.

I'm going to miss my Subaru, but I hear the Mini community is just as awesome. I'm a active duty Air Force officer in Colorado, if you guys wanted to know.

Thanks.
Dane

 

Welcome to NAM!!!

Well to be honest a non-S version was a no-go for me. I needed the pep of the S so I cannot comment on the Justa other than the 4 miles test drive was enough to know it was not what I wanted. But it sounds like you want a fun car that is going to spend tons of time on the interstate. The Justa should work no problems for you but are you looking for Auto or Manual?

Living in Sunny SWFL I thought I would be annoyed at the screens on the sunroof but it really isn't that bad. I just got my windows tinted yesterday and had the sunroof done too because it was $70 more and I was there. It is much nicer to drive during the day not; not a requirement but it is very helpful and not so bright that I need anything more than the tint and the screen.

Let us know what you are looking at because '10s can be had with decent discounts right now ($3-4k).

 

Thanks yetti.

I'm looking at cars around the nation for around $~22K. I've found lots, but need to sell my car first.

How is interstate driving in minis?
What are the classifications for Minis? (Justa?)

 

Dane
Just a refers to just-a-Cooper ie not a Cooper s
As a driver of a more powerful car today, think about the loss of acceleration at highway speeds in a justa. That is not a criticism of the base model. There are tons of folks on here that love em. And in fact in city driving they're very snappy. My experience on test drive was that at freeway speeds you just didn't have the extra umph to get out of the way of that semi. It's definitely worth testing both a base model and a Cooper s and feel it out. Both will get great mileage.
If you want to maximize road comfort I think most here will tell you, go with smaller rims and ditch the run-flat tires for conventional tires. I drive an s model with 17s and run flats and it's well...intimate... With the road. You feel everything. I tested an s with 16s but still run flats and it was much smoother.
Good luck!

 

I'm an S driver so take what I say knowing my point of view.

The base MINI is a good car whether it is an S or a Just-a.
The mileage you will get with both is close to the same, especially on the hiway. I get 30+ in mixed driving.
Ditch the run-flats as soon as possible for a smoother ride, but with the wheel base you will never get a big car ride.
Road noise can be an issue for some while on the hiway. The MINI is not a whisper quiet car.
The sports seats are more supportive than the standard seats but sit in both to form your own opinion.
If you might turn it into an autocross car: get all sport suspension options, anything that is like a limited slip differential and don't get the sun-roof.

Have you considered a gently used MINI?

 

Hello Dane! Proud owner of a Justa here to weigh in. . .

I never test drove an S. . .fell in love with my Justa the second I drove it off the lot for a test run and caught a second at the very first red light. Tis true it does not have pulling power up hills like I'm sure the S does but who is driving and how they drive it has a lot to do with how the car performs. Need a little more umph to get around a blue hair then down shift, take your rpms up to around 6500 and zip right past them.

I recently ran down I-40 with two other MINIS coming back from a club run, both S models. . .and they will both attest that I had no trouble keeping pace with them. . .or should I say they had no trouble keeping pace with me.

As for sunroof, well I couldn't live without mine but that's totally a personal preference. And I love, love, love my HK.

No matter what MINI you choose, it's sure to put a smile on your face everytime you drive it.

 

DaneTrain, just to let you know if don't already. The real base models of the MINI lineup are really the "First" and the "One" in the UK and probably other markets around the world. Yes, not all MINIs are "MINI Coopers". To bad they don't market the Firsts and Ones here because that is where you are going to get some better mpg. The performance level is the step up from the First and the One and that is the "Cooper". The performance upgrade from that is the "Cooper S" and then "John Cooper Works". MINI is the company and "hardtop", "Clubman", and "convertible" are the models marketed in the US so far. Countryman is on its way. You can get each model(hardtop, Clubman,convertible, Countryman)in any of the performance levels(Cooper, Cooper S, or JCW-someday). So you really aren't settling for a "base" model in reality, you are actually getting a performance level vehicle. "Justa" or "Non S" describes the "Cooper" level MINI but not accurately to me. Also, if you hyper mile a Cooper S hardtop, you can regularly get at least 40 mpg. Even playing hard with a Cooper S of any model, it would be hard to get below 30 mpg. Good luck with your choice.

 

I have an '05 Cooper. I have found that a freer-breathing intake and exhaust allow better mileage, but only if you can keep your right foot out of it because not only can you get better mileage if you drive conservatively, but you can also get brisker acceleration and great sound if you mash it. Depends on your willpower.

An R50/53 is a different animal than an R56. I have no problems, in fact I love the 'purposefullness' on the highway with my 'harder-edged than an R56' R50, so a 56 would probably be like a luxury liner to me. Im having new polyurethane bushings installed next week - I like it tight, so my opinion should be weighed accordingly.

 

I will chime in with JCW mileage. I do about 50/50 city/ highway. My mileage ranges from 29.8-31.8 depending upon the actual mix of driving. The biggest thing for me to get better mileage is to stay in the 65-70 range on the highway. Fast just sucks down the gas moving the brick shape of a MINI.

Two cars ago I was in a '04 STi so the MINI has a similar involved feel in driving.

 

I'd say go drive both. The 6MT in the Justa allows you to have more control over the engine characteristics.

I also love the sound of the non-turbo engine.

 

Absolutely loved my '06 Cooper hardtop. I only got rid of it because I had to also get rid of my '07 CR-V to purchase a new car for my then 16 year old daughter. Instead of having 4 car payments(wife's car included), I ordered my Clubman to take the part of family car and weekend car.

 

Great discussion! Good job people.......

 

I'm getting 29mpg on my commute, 35mpg on the interstate in my S at 75-80mph. If you like driving in the mountains I would really consider an S. You don't lose that much milage and you can fly up steep grades with ease.

 

When I got into the market for buying a car, I was actually looking at the Subaru WRX. But once I got behind the wheel of the MINI, my decision was made
I test drove both the S and the non-S models. I went with the S because I liked the extra power.
I LOVE my car! The MINI community is wonderful & I never expected owning this car would be the way it is.
Whichever model you go with, you will be happy!!!

 

The reason I'm looking at a Base Hardtop, is because the S is more expensive and more on insurance. Plus, I'd spend waaaay too much on modding it if I had a turbo.

What is the R50/53/56 all about?

 

I love my Justa, but for Colorado I'd consider a turbo. Mine gets asthmatic above 5000 feet. As far as interstates, I've done a few 6 hour drives in it, enjoyed every minute.

 

Well I think you wil be more than happy with a Justa Cooper. I have no trouble in keeping up with the S MINI's on our local club outings here in Utah which are generally high speed mountain excursions and have never experienced any 5000 foot asthma? And also don't necessarily believe the manual transmision only advocates, my automatic works just as well in it's manual mode and has the advantage of ease of driving when all the gears shifting becomes a bore. I can with no trouble top Parleys Summit on I-80 at 85 to 90 mph and do so regularly, 7% grades not withstanding. Highway passing no problem, just make sure you have the power button on (it only reduces mileage a bit). Ride firm, tracking very true, noise level moderate, seats comfortable, stock radio barely adequate. Also you don't have to worry about the run flat tires, the Justa doesn't have them (unless you opt for the 16" wheel upgrade) and it does come with a spare.

 

Well, I decided on the "Justa Awesome" Cooper because it tended to be more reliable, lower in price and fun YET efficient.

Dunno why people knock the Cooper because it doesn't have turbo....Lubegard in tranny and AMSOIL in engine. My Austin is smooth....like Keith Stone. Nah I have a LOT of fun pulling through the gears with my auto in manual mode with sport button on or off. Besides a turbos for cheaters anyways...

I drive 60 miles round trip 5 days a week and while it is a pretty comfortable drive with the sport seats I did have to ditch the run flats.

 

Good to hear, let us know how it works out for you. And report back once in a while.

 

Thanks for the help guys. They are doing $4K off, and if I can sell my car this week, I'll be driving one home.

I like the fog lights(front and rear). The Coopers I'm looking at don't have them as options...would they be difficult to get and put in?
How do they do in the snow?

Thanks.
Dane

 

I would negotiate the price with the dealer before making the purchase and see if they'll reduce the parts/ installation for you to sweeten the already sweet pot.