Hi All-

I bought a used '03 MCS back in 2006. It had 37k miles on it. LOVED that car, warts and all, until last year when it was nearing 80k miles and repairs started getting ugly.

A friend worked for a local Ford dealer and got me a 2010 Mustang GT with an "offer I couldn't refuse" including 0% financing and below invoice pricing.

Don't get me wrong, the Mustang is a great car. It hauls a**. But it's not my MCS. If I'm going to be honest, I've had regret for the last year about not having a Mini anymore. I started doing some research a few weeks ago about what I owed on the Mustang and what it's worth via trade in, along with what Mini currently has to offer etc.

Originally, I thought I really wanted a Cabrio. I still do actually, but my local dealer only has 3 of them and they're all automatics. Plus, they're probably too much money. I could spend less on an MCS and get one with more features, etc. Then I came home a few nights ago and my wife was drooling over pictures of the Countryman on MINIUSA.com...

I'm intrigued. I'm going to my dealer tonight to see what they have, and see how they strike me in person. From what I hear, they look better in the flesh? I always try not to get excited when buying a new car, but I really miss the Mini experience...

Sorry this is so long! I'm kind of scared that now I'll find a turbo 4 not enough since I'm used to driving 300+ HP of muscle for a year. Have any of you been in this situation?

 

That's a hard one to call. The MINI is definitely not a muscle car, but the pleasure comes in the handling. It really depends on what you miss about your old MINI and what you will miss in your Mustang.

When I saw pictures, I definitely wasn't a fan of the Countryman, but in real life, I was hooked. For me, it still drives like a MINI, but gives me the added features of 4 doors (have a 9 year old boy that is growing like a weed) and extra hauling space.

The perfect test was the "grin factor" - I still have a grin everytime I get in the car. And for me, that says it all.

 

I suspect you will have a big grin on your face when you take it for a test drive and if not tonight you will be trading in the 'stang soon enough. Good luck .

 

There are a few things I miss about the Mini

1. Gas mileage
2. Interior (the Mustang is cloth interior, very basic/blah)
3. Features (again, I got a base model GT, no sync or anything)
4. COMMUNITY (mini drivers feel a kinship for some reason, meanwhile there are 1000 Mustangs every 2 miles you drive)
5. Handling

So, assuming the turbo does as good a job as the supercharger used to, I hope it SHOULD be ok... will advise!

 

I can give some feedback, as I owned an '03 MCS also before the CM I have now...

The CM handling is a little more ponderous around sharp corners, but not much. Frankly I have not pushed it much yet to really explore that. The steering and road feedback is still just as good as the '03 MCS.

Even though the acceleration is not as fast as the normal MINI, coming off the '03 MCS I think you'll find the CM turbo offers more power than your old MINI - it's better than my old one with the supercharger. The power is really smooth.

If you can test drive one, make sure to use the Sport button as the steering is more direct and if you have the automatic, it improves when it shifts to deliver a nicer feeling of power.

The interior is really good, and I think as far as features go Connected is decent right now with a lot of potential (especially if you have an iPhone).

 

Thanks for your input on this. Good to know it is pretty equal to the '03 regarding power. I know it obviously won't pull as hard as a Mustang GT, but you gotta give up things in order to get others (gas mileage etc). I'm definitely looking to get a manual tranny.

 

Can't say I'm a big fan of the CM's styling, but that's all subjective. I wonder what it'd be like to drive with some good suspension mods and a tune with some basic upgrade work. Might be a pretty quick vehicle!

 

buddy lee,

I have some insight on this. I have a 2009 MCS JCW stage 1 convertible, and a 2011 CMS. I love both cars. I sold my 2010 Shelby GT500 mustang about 6 mos ago. I have owned 6 mustangs in a row from 1999 to 6 mos ago. I had a 2007 MCS before my 2009. The mustang was a weekend car only, and for car shows mainly, but I did occassionally drive it to my office.

I do not miss the shelby. Yes it was very fast, but my 09 conv. is quick, and feels faster than it is. It is so much more fun to drive than the mustangs. I never say to myself, "I wish I still had the stang, I miss the V8 and the speed". I can say that the CMS is an automatic, has plenty of pep, handles fantastic, but is not as fun as my converible, for obvious reasons. But the room is great, it feels very solid, and it still gives you that "mini experience". If you get a manual in the CMS you will have a blast. Just go drive a base CM, CMS, and then the ALL4, and make your decision. I live in a LA, and several rental car companies rent them. You might try to find one, and drive it for the day. I drove one for 2 days, a loaner from my local dealer when I took my 2009 in for some service, lucked out. Good luck with your decision.

 

I understand completely.
I owned a 2007 Roush 427R for a few years as a extra car and I love driving my ALL4 much more. Power is great but it can't be used on the street to the level I enjoy and the Mini is much more fun to drive. There is no comparison. Mustang is fast and gets looks, but the Mini is a drivers car..

Have fun shopping either way..

 

Well, found a Crystal Silver I fell in love with but had to walk due to numbers not making sense. They said they would call me tomorrow if they can do better...

 

I traded in a 2008 Dodge Charger Hemi. Must say I do miss the power very much, but the Mini gets much better gas mileage. Currently I am looking more for gas mileage. I have had the Charger and a Porsche Boxster before and must say the Mini doesn't come close for power and handling of the boxster

 

Hopefully you and the crystal silver can come to an agreement! I've not seen that color in person but I think it looks REALLY nice in every picture I've seen...

 

I went in wanting black, white or green... the silver has black top/mirror caps and 18" black painted wheels/black interior. It's flipping gorgeous.

Of course, I could get a Cooper S hardtop and be right where I want to be with payment, I know this for sure, but the CM has really struck me.

 

You should go for the Crystal Silver.... >__> No pressure though ^____^ But I hope that both you and your MA can settle on an agreement! Good luck!

 

I drove 3 hours to get the Mini CM I have. No local dealers were stocked with anything close to my wish list.. The dealers are looking to move inventory shop around..

 

According to them CMS's are FLYING off the lot. They were laying it on thick last night. They've been open for 2 hours and I haven't received a call yet. I'm not calling them until the end of the day to see if they're interested in making a deal happen.

 

the crystal silver is calling.....

 

DAMN YOUS GUYS!!!

 

Looks like it's gonna happen....

 

Congrats! But (and I'm just guessing!) you don't seem to be too enthusiastic about it... Hopefully the deal reached was okay...?

 

Something to make sure you don't change your mind

 

Yea, stay with the Silver. You wouldn't want to go too far out of the box.

 

Congrats! It will be a great ride home..

Start with the exhaust tip mod first! it's cheap, it looks great and it it will you a little more sound.. No mustang but it's nice..

And remember the sport button if you going auto..

Enjoy

 

Spoke too soon. Walked again because they said they couldn't get me the finance rate my friend (who is an f&i manager at another dealer) told me wouldn't be an issue. So I fired off an email to their GM letting him know they lost a deal tonight and that on Saturday I'll be driving to the next closest dealer (2 hrs away) to give them the chance to get my business. Let's see what happens next...

 

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