We're trading in our '03 MINI for an '06 S convertible. Has anyone owned an 02/03 and traded up to an 04/05, and if so, what differences did you notice? I gotta admit I still like the old '03 face versus the new, but the differences are minor. I just sold my 1992 Miata with a supercharger to cover the upgrade to the S model, and the resale on the '03 is so great we can afford this. Our '03 (w/CVT tranny) has been a great car, but the slingshot effect of the tranny has always annoyed me. When I heard the S came with a 6 speed automatic suddenly the wheels started turning (supercharger for me, automatic gearbox for her) and I took an auto S for a test drive. Well, I'm hooked. Although I always hated to admit it, her MINI always felt better in the corners than my Miata. Before we put down a deposit on our new MINI, I test drove some fine cars, including an Acura RSX type S, a Honda S2000, and A Civic Si. All fast cars, all good at what they do, but the MINIs fun factor had them all beat. And nothing beats the full throttle whine of a supercharger, even if it's only pumping 1.6 liters.

 

Good luck with your Mini! I can't agree that the others you looked at were all fast cars, expecially the Honda Si. When I test drove it, a couple of times, I was very unimpressed with it's acceleration, torque, etc. I could have gotten a low-milage-pre-owned for around $13000 earlier this year, but I was totally unimpressed with it.

 

Same here, supercharger for me, auto for her! Never owned a pre-05, but from what I noticed in pictures, the new xenons are projectors and look pretty mean. Interior is just slightly cleaner with 3pc dash instead of 5. And the chrome surround on the bonnet is smoothed out. Other than that, everything else is pretty much the same give or take.