So I've got a 2004 MCS with 85,000 miles on it. I've had it since brand new, and have loved it and treated it well.

And I'm kinda tired of it.

The good news is I'm not going anywhere because there's nothing out there that both interests me and doesn't have a set of problems.

The only cars I've considered are:

• A Lotus Elise, which I really want, but would probably end up hating (good luck finding a 3-year-old Elise with only one previous owner!), but neither of those things matters because I can't afford one.
• A Honda S2000, which I know from experience is a great, great car, but I'm not a big convertible fan, and I just don't feel like the S2000 suits me.
• A Miata, preferably with the retractable hardtop, but I checked 'em out on Saturday and the driving position would never work for me.
• An R56 Cooper, but I already have a Mini so why get another one?
• An R53 GP, but not easy to find, faster than I need, and probably more money than I'd spend.

It's the best of times because I've got a car I love (most of the time), and it's the worst of times because I'd like to find a new car to love, but there's nothing else out there for me. I guess this is the Five Year Itch?

Anybody else dealing with these conflicted feelings?

Any solutions? I'm considering a suspension upgrade, or maybe an aero kit bumper to try to get the old spark back!

 

There ya go, lower that MINI and dress it a little differently!

I'm in the same boat, except I've only been thinking about an R56 to park with the '02. I figured I'd keep modding the first one and keep a new one all OEM for DD. Perhaps even the automatic. Of course it'd have to be DS/B to match the first.

 

I got the GP, coming from a modified MCS, the GP had alot more smoother power delivery. Aggressive brake pads, sway bar, R888s, pulley, ITG filter, RMW cam and tune was like steriods and meth for the GP. I am keeping the GP, but if I get a second car, it would be one on the list below. Here is some cars to consider and test drive.

1. 2009 BMW 135i
2. 2005 Mazda MX-5 Mazdaspeed
3. 2009 Honda S2000 CR
4. 2009 Nissan 370Z Nismo
5. 2009 Mazda RX-8 R3
6. 2010 Fiat 500 Abarth
7. 2011 MINI JCW "Broadspeed" Coupe
8. 2009 Pontiac Solstice GXP/Saturn SKY RedLine/Chevy Cobalt SS
w/GM Performance Division Turbo Upgrade Kit (19212670) a $750 dealer installed option that nets 290 HP @5200 rpm and 340 Ft-Lbs @3600 and this kit includes the “No Lift Shift” feature for faster accelerations with manual transmissions.

 

Yes, and I love your list. I started looking for a Lotus but could not find one I wanted for the prices being asked.

So I got an 01 Miata with 33k. Fun car and cheep enough to I can mod it. Maybe a supercharger?

 

The Fiat is a possibility, but from what I've seen on Top Gear the driving position is even more out of whack than the Mini's, and I certainly won't be among the early adopters signing up for the first batch of US Fiats!

We'll see what the Coupe ends up looking like--and costing. I'd love it if they made a Cooper version that was indeed 200 pounds lighter than the hatchback, but Motoringfile says to expect only S and JCW versions at a premium over hatchback pricing.

 

The R56 JCW is pretty spiffy. If anything were to happen to my car, that'd be the first car on my list.

 

I am in the same boat. I have a 2004 also. I have seriously considered the 135, but just have not been able to pull the trigger. If they had the 135 in some real colors, especially Yellow, it would make it harder to stay in my MINI.

 

Check out Flying Miata.


Any of these models can be found pretty cheap, if you look for early models.
Mazda MX-5
Honda S2000
Mazda RX-8

 

Unless you want a 2004 S2000 you shouldn't have any trouble getting a good deal on one. The only issue is you have no way of knowing what the previous owner did to it. It may be stock when you see it, but that doesn't mean all sorts of mods weren't been removed from it an hour before that!

My dad was lucky to find a one-owner car with low miles, and the owner was a rich guy with lots of cars and no time to drive the Honda as opposed to some kid with a JDM fetish and lots of credit card debt!

 

Sounds like he got my father's S2000. The thing only had 1,636 miles on it when he sold it.

 

135i are pretty nasty, but encase you havnt seen, most ppl who get something else and get rid of their mini always say they miss the mini, or they even end up getting another one.

 

hey bee - What is it about the miata driving position that you found odd? And i assume you drove an NC miata (current gen)?

My advice if you're looking to scratch the "new car itch":
1. Cheapest way to do this is to spend some $ on your current car, via some choice R53 mods.

2. Next step up cost-wise is to pick up an older miata (find a "no winters" car, there are lots out there) and mod that. The aftermarket for the miata is incredible even compared to the MINI aftermarket. And for serious power, yes, Flyin' Miata is a great option (a local buddy has a very well done NB like mine with with the FM turbo installed) and the SC kits are also a good choice (would be my choice, personally, as I've driven an SC'd miata and actually prefer it to the several turbo miatas I regularly spend seat time in).

I hear you though... there is not much available new that is truly exciting, at least at the "semi-affordable" end of the market.

 

I looked at an NC. My dad has an NA (Yes, and an S2000. He thought he wanted more power than the Miata.) and I know those earlier models are impossible for me. When I sit in them I end up looking straight at the visor/windshield header instead of through the windshield. Can be dealt with by removing seat foam and other mods, but that's not what I want.

The NC isn't that bad, but I had to have my legs bent to the point where the backs of my legs weren't resting on the seat cushion. It's something I could live with in a weekend car, but not in a daily driver. Over on miata.net there are several threads where people have raised the front of the seat or lowered the rear, or sawed off the bottom of the gas pedal, or built up the clutch pedal - all sorts of comfort mods going on over there. It's like a Mini in that people buy them because they love them, then try to make 'em work the way they want! I'm not up for that in a commuting car.

I think what I'd really like is imaginary: A Miata coupe with the driving position of an S2000. Light, affordable, reliable, tossable and reasonably efficient. My Mini is kinda like that, but in the body of a 5-year-old hatchback.

 

For me, the Mini is just a toy so I would probably get a Miata or S2000 next. I would like to get into a RWD car with a NA engine.

 

1st Post...

Consider a Porsche 996 99-01... they are a steal right now. They can be had in the high teens to high 20's.

My 996...

 

Credit for thinking outside the box! Unfortunately I've heard about all the service costs of my coworker's Boxster and I'm scared of Porsches now.

 

I hear ya.... but if your are a DIY kinda guy, 996 are the easiest cars to maintain... GL with your search though.

 

I can't believe I forgot a car on my list?
Well it's actually several cars but one engine.
The 2009 Pontiac Solstice GXP/Saturn SKY RedLine/Chevy Cobalt SS
w/GM Performance Division Turbo Upgrade Kit (19212670) a $750 dealer installed option that nets 290 HP @5200 rpm and 340 Ft-Lbs @3600 and this kit includes the “No Lift Shift” feature for faster accelerations with manual transmissions.

 

The Cobalt came with Recaro seats, too, if I remember right. And I know the Car and Driver guys found it to be very fast in their "Lightning Lap" track day.

And they apparently have no resale value. The most expensive one on Carmax is under $16,000 with only 15,000 miles on it. I'll have to do some research on it because I think there were significant changes during production.

I can't imagine buying a Chevy, but you never know, right? It might be fun to buy something made in America other than my very fashionable Apparel.

 

But what a body ! R53 = instant classic. Sorry, the R56 for all its virtues, isn't. I'll propose an 06 R53 for you, maybe even an 05. These got the mid-cycle refinements, so they'll be all new to you. Get one in another color if you've admired anything other than your PW. I went from a new 03 to a new 05. I grumbled at first about minor stuff like the loss of the separate clock, the loss of the two spoke steering wheel, the loss of Indi Blue, etc. but I've totally come around. In fact, just bought a four year extended warranty upon expiration of my new car warranty, so I'm definitely committed.

My other suggestion is easy: change your wheels. Like you, I had x-lites. I wanted to stay with 16 inch Mini wheels, so I got s-winders. Maybe I'm biased, but they look perfect. Compared to the x-lites, I think they suit the R53 better because they have curvy lines instead of straight.

Happy motoring!

 

Yes nearly every magazine loved these cars, especially the Cobalt SS. With lap times of 8:22 at Nurburgring thats with stock tires and no turbo upgrade kit, just the stock 260hp. And yes Recaros.

 

as far as convertables go, ive owned a older miata and my s2k, along with my 02 MCS.

the miata is an awesome handling car with no mods and is CHEAP! i had a 1990 with a boss frog roll bar and the factory option hardtop. it was an awesome car.

i currently have a 2001 honda s2000 and it handles and is powerful. the only downside i have to the s2k is that it is much more expensive and gas mileage is not nearly close to the miata.

if you want a budget car get the miata and get some upgrades. if you want a newer car then get the s2k.

one thing though, if you have never owned a convertable/roadster, then it might be good to start with a more inexpensive one to see if you will like it. i am assuming it will be your only car, so you have to get used to the lifestyle - ie. noisey, can be leaky, not great in snow, etc.

anyways, if you have any specific questions let me know and i will try to answer them. i currently own the 02 MCS, the 01 s2k, and a 1984 rabbit GTI for reference.

ive owned many cars so i can give you my personal opinion on them, but of course yours will probably vary.

 

May I recommend an E36 M3? If you find one in good shape you will be VERY impressed.

Um, OP (Original Poster) would you be interested in my M3? I think I just found my next car...

 

Keep the MINI and upgrade components.