Hello all...name is Steve, I live in the Nutmeg State (Connecticut) and as the title states I am currently thinking about selling my SRT-4 and picking up a Cooper S.

Guess it's time for me to sit back and read the forums to acquire as much knowledge as I can before I make my decision.

 

Welcome and good luck with the reading.

 

A Neon is a Neon is a Neon......My girlfriend had one and I was embarrassed to be seen in it. Go for the Cooper S.

 

OK, in my intro. post I placed a picture of my '98 Neon R/T which I traded in on the '06 MCS I just purchased. The SRT-4 is an "improvement" on the 1st gen. Neon that I owned. I have quickly found out that build quality and the solid road feel of the Mini are at an entirely different level than the Neon. Our Neons were/are much maligned, but I took my R/T and made it a very competent car in regard to handling/performance and also got over 30mpg. I have seen some SRT-4's that when set up correctly, actually look good and can perform better than many cars that cost 10K more than the SRT-4. The Neon has more room than the Mini if that is an issue for you. Though I really liked my R/T, I have not missed it at all since buying the Mini. I would say if you are into the type of HP the SRT-4 had, plan on gettting the MCS and then doing some engine mods to get more HP.

 

If you're used to SRT-4 power, you may be a bit underwhelmed by the MINI, unless you step up to at least a Cooper S. To be honest, you would be doing yourself a disservice if you didn't test drive a JCW, (John Cooper Works). The JCW is to MINI what Mopar/SRT is to Neon, just FYI.

It's the Factory performance division within MINI, just like "M" is to BMW, just like "AMG" is to Mercedes, etc.

You'll be happy with ANY MINI in the handling department, no doubt, but I just think you are probably used to a lot of get-up-and-go, so check out the Cooper S or even better, the JCW.

 

go n test drive even mini

 

Welcom to NAM

I still own my SRT-4 that I bought new back in 2003.

 

Modding a Mini S can produce some great numbers that you never regret. I always find it hard to stay out of the fast lane or trying to drive like the average Joe and I still average 33mpg.