S

 

Well I have a "justa" and I am happy with it. Test drove types several times and decided to save $3000 and go base. What my test drives told me was the S quicker off the line but really wasn't quicker in the curves, the base would easily run 100+, was quite happy at 90 and I really didn't need any more than that. With my new Falken Azeni 615's 205/50/15 shoes I doubt that many of the local S drivers will be beating me in the twisties.

 

We started out with a JustaCooper, because that's the sort of thing we're used to. We'd never had a car as powerful as an S, and didn't think we needed it. In those days the fuel economy of the S was pretty sucky (and the Cooper not stellar either). When we did get the S, it was pretty much an extravagance.

Now we've had both versions of the Justa and S, I could be happy with either.

 

I agree I do know you too well, and even though im sitting here at work I am already pumped for you to get an S just check it out and see if you can do it, if not just stick with your justa, it's a really good car, Am I right Fellas? he should look into the S and see if he can do it huh?

 

I bought my 09 Justa Cooper due to the same reason pretty much you did. I just got out here to Spain at me new duty station and bought one of the "beaters" on base to get me from home and work. Then the radiator started to give me problems and was over heating to much so I went to the dealership and got what they had on the show room. Im still very happy with my car. I've done a lot of things to her so far and only plan to do a lot more still to her. Im sure that once my tour over here is up Ill be buying another one when I get back to the US, but this time I know I'll be going with a S. Just to have both if I dont trade her in for one.

 

I had test driven an S and a Cooper and decided on a Cooper. It just felt right. The S was too hyper for me, and I could see myself getting 12 mpg and in trouble. Ive added some minor stuff to tweak the car a bit for power and handling. Ive had my 05 since new, and still love it.

 

I bought a "justacooper". In the past, I've always bought the bigger motor or the different car (such as my old GTI-VR6 and old Passat TDI). This time I wanted inexpensive initial price and lower price upkeep (just the price of fuel alone was a kicker for me). I don't miss the HP much and besides my 914-6 only has 110hp so the "justacooper" isn't too far off. Now if only I could get my 914 to ride and steer like the cooper I'd be happy.

 

I know what you mean. The S is very hyper. It's fun to drive but probably not as a daily - atleast not for me. I'm pretty content in my Justa. Maybe later on. I dunno.

Thanks for the stories.

 

For me, I just had to have a JCW cabriolet. The wife talked me into a convertible and since we needed some space in the back for our dog, many cars like the Honda S2000 and Boxter were ruled out. I also wanted something with some real performance, so when I found out about the JCW version, I was sold. I would have settled for no other model and I'm super happy with my choice.

 

Hyper?? if you consider a much better throttle response and over all better performance hyper? well then I don't know what to say. I know its nice to think that the justa is more practical but in reality they have identical suspension, in turn identical ride comfort, identical sound dampening (excluding the GP), identical gas mileage, equalling identical daily drive comfort...

 

When I bought mine, I wouldn't look at anything but the Cooper S. The difference in gas mileage is small, the handling/performance is better, they have nicer bumpers, I wanted one that was loaded, etc. I figured if I couldn't find the one I loved, then why would I bother switching cars.

 

The are different enough to make a difference in ride, comfort, mileage, etc. I guess it's all what you want. I was making a switch from an old Toyota 4Runner so any improvement in mileage was a plus. And I ride motorcycles, so I wanted as much performance as possible without breaking the bank. The JCW fit the bill nicely. So much so, in fact, that I have only ridden my bike 3 times in the 8 months since I got the car.

 

Identical gas mileage? I don't think so. No matter how hard you drive a Cooper, it would still squeeze more miles per gallon than an S.

 

And I bet if I had a Cooper, I could out drive you in the twisties. I still. to this day say the Cooper I had did better in the twisties than my S. And no, they don't have the same gas mileage. My 2003 Cooper would get 36 mpg. I can get 30 with my S, but most of the time it's between 25-27 mpg.

 

I dont think I could turn my back on my old bike and drive my car more. If I still had my old 03 GSXR 750 it would be a toss up on which I would be out riding/driving.

 

The handling difference is negligible. In fact, it's quite possible that a lightly-optioned Cooper handles better than a significantly heavier Cooper S.


I'm sure you could drive a Cooper hard enough to do worse than a typical S, and the S doesn't lose nearly as much efficiency as the power increase might imply, but I agree that the S doesn't get "identical" mileage to the Cooper.

 

Where did you get that weird idea?

Even with my lead foot the R50 was getting much better gas mileage than the R53 (27 vs 20.6). These days with the R56s, the difference is less (about 2 mpg) but the cooper does get better gas mileage.

The R50 and R53 really did not feel like they had identical suspension, very different. The R50 had nearly infinite grip, the R53 was very slidy even with good tires. Our R56s have identical suspension, but that's because we got sports on both, the stock suspension is supposed to be different.

I still think the S (whichever version) is insanely fast, and the JustaCooper about right.

 

Notice when I said identical i wasn't implying the exact same in anyway, just "identical". they are close and of course the cooper S isnt going to get as good of gas milage but thats just the price you pay for performance...come on guys

And wow... if pointing out that the S gets 6 mpg less is worth wasting your time typing the extra $10 at the pump must be killing you on the inside deep down you must really regret it

not trying to be mean or nasty just cynical

 

Bought a Justa because I wasn't really looking for anything as sporty as the S when I bought my car. Plus the insurance was a lot cheaper for my age bracket on the Justa (I was 20 when I bought the car). After owning it for a little over two years now I wouldn't mind getting an S because the insurance would be more reasonable now and I think I would be more responsible.

 

I'm 22 and I pay $106 a month for full coverage on my "justa". I called my agent to find out how much more it would be to insure an S. Surprsingly affordable. For an 05, it would only be $127 a month and for an '06 it would be like $131 a month. A bit more but not as bad as I thought.

 

I have purchased a S mainly to avoid regrets down the road and also because I liked the rear bumper and exhaust design better. No test-drives prior to purchase other than a friend's supercharged prior version which did not feel anywhere as fast as the current turbo.

If I had to do it over, I would definitely get a justa instead as the turbo engine feels uselessly powerful on the windy country roads and trooper replete 65mph highways I drive on. Moreover, the powerband is so large that it makes my manual transmission too easy to drive... I'm not kidding, it's like driving an automatic, I become lazier every time I turn the engine on. Lastly, I do like the design of the hood without the air intake better and consider having it swaped later down the road.

Handling is otherwise terrific on the MCS - and I suspect it would be similar on the Justa with some cloth sports seats. It is easy to imagine how the S would shine on the track, but it does feel like a waste of power outside the track.

 

Mean, nasty, cynical, whatever. Cooper owners own Coopers because they want to. No excuses, no killing deep down inside regrets. Sheesh.

 

I'm sorry I swear I'm not a jerk, I believe everyone is allowed to pick and chose what they purchase part of the reason we get so defensive is because our cars are what we decide to spend our hard earned cash on...
A MINI is a MINI and I love them all point and case, The OP is one of my best friends and has stated he wants to go fast I'm merely trying to help point him in a financially intelligent direction thats all instead of dumping 5 or 6 grand into a justa cooper to make it about equal to an S
like I said a cooper is a cooper and I like to think of everyone here as extended family, sorry if my post came across distasteful

 

...enuf already.......i have a justa, you have an S...it's all good

I went for my choice (06 coop w/sport pkg) and it's what works for me...my own thing was i didn't want the stiffer suspension of the S, and the power is more that fine...but can understand the analog of this comment as well.

the beauty of diverse opinions is just that...happy happy guys...

 

Don't let him fool you! He is! He played a mean trick on me earlier today, er, last night. Prank caller!

R3R
I've heard what you've said before. The extra power is useless in the twisties and I can see that for sure. I've taken my Justa on a track before and I was keeping up with the Ss (for the most part. They were more experieneced drivers as this was my first HPDE event!) Lots of fun.
I like the bonnet scoop personally but coopers look fantastic without them as well. I do dig the dual exhaust though.
The only thing(s) I wish my "justa" had are the sports seats from the S and the 6speed getrag. Stupid Midlands Makes me rethink every mod involving power. Ohwell. We'll see what happens.

Justas just feel well balanced to drive. I love mine.