Exactly the thread I was looking for. We finally have official pictures of the f55 "5" door mini (why call it 5 doors? Who actually gets in through the hatch?). Im seriously between the f55 and 4 door mk7 gti. I like the added practicality of rear doors, but want to have fun too. I keep on leaning back and forth between the two and waiting to see them in person.

 

I love my R57 and wish they would have changed less of the car and just tweaked it. Hate the new tails and nose plus imo the speedo was Iconic and now its gone as well.
I wish they would have left the size and body alone. New power trains seem to be superior and some interior bits are better. I always subscribe to the saying " If it is not broke do not fix it philosophy so for me I wish they had just refined what was there. I may end up going to a new one but I am in no hurry as I greatly prefer mine over the new.....

 

Lol, can't really argue with that.... That said, I guess the GTI just looks like 10 other cars out in the market right now. Generic styling and nothing that would make me pick it out of a crowd. It looks like it would be fun to drive, I just wouldn't get excited to see it in my garage on a daily basis.

While Mini's "controversial" new design has some up in arms, it is still distinctly Mini and still has more style then most cars on the road (at least in this price range). Oh yeah, it's also a blast to drive.

 

I believe the Mini I drove was leather. The strange thing was I didn't notice the seats in the Mini to be uncomfortable at all on my first couple of test drives. It wasn't until the back to back Mini/GTI drive that I noticed anything. I really think it had more to do with how comfortable the GTI seats were to me. It was one of the most comfortable seats I've ever sat in (for a car) which I can't say that I ever pay that much attention to seat comfort as an evaluation point.

I expected a lot of Mini bias and agree with most of it. The car is really a blast to drive and definitely stands out as a unique option over the standard hatch. The GTI, to me, stands out over all the other hatches out there but I get that compared to the Mini it seems like more of the same.

 

While I have always admired "Mini"..the new design is what brought me to pulling the trigger on purchasing one.
You know the old adage about "opinions" ...

Whether "old" or "new" design, the Mini is uniquely distinctive!

 

Recent history of x 2 Mk 6 GTI's let's you know how much I like the car. Practicality and Hp performance trumping personality in the GTI vs MCS equation. But VW's lack of respect for NA and Canada with an awful delay in bringing us the Mk 7 here helped my decision. I had already contacted my salesguy about placing a deposit for the R - then I met the Mini Cooper at the autoshow. Timing is everything with some buyers. It's like meeting the right partner when you're in the marrying frame of mind
My tuned Cooper will provide all the thrills I need. And I think the GTI should be $1000s of dollars cheaper now it's made in Mexico. Inferior to the Euro spec cars (no multi-port injection, smaller head unit) seals my decision.

 

Those are my feelings about my MINI-S. I would drive no other small car. I will admit the GTI is a hot ride, but (to me) just lacks personality. Most of the hot hatches just have a familiar/similar overall look. My MINI......distinctively MINI. I would never knock anyone from owning a GTI. Choices are just that, choices. But for me, only my MINI will do.

 

VW just like every other manufacturer of cars I would buy, forces you to have a sunroof with anything above the base trim level. I'm too tall to fit comfortably with one. Also, it doesn't help I drive by VW of America's HQ everyday reminding me of how they really treat US customers as second class, with the availability of new models.

That said, as previously mentioned, the personality of the MINI just won me over and still does.