I'm curious to how many of you bought/got the base cooper or the S model and if is because that is how the cards were dealt or if it is preference?

Here's my story:
My 944 blew a headgasket and I didn't feel like putting another $2 grand into it to get it fixed considering I had just replaced the entire engine and clutch 7 months prior. I had been wanting a MINI for about 2 years by then but I never read up on them because I didn't think I would be able to afford one (it never occurred to me to finance!) I was under the impression I would just pay cash for my next car.
Anyway, searching on Autotrader, I found 2 MINIs in the area in my price range (~$12k). One was chili red, other was black. Had roughly same amount of miles, 80kish. My only requirement at this point was that it was a manual transmission! Didn't have a clue what the packages were. Didn't matter so much so long as I could get one. I ended up going with the black/white 02 R50 with 77k on the clock. It had a clean car fax and it came with a 4yr/48k mile warranty so it seemed like a no brainer. Besides, I needed a car and quick because I had to have a way to get to class and work.

So, I'm wondering, did you choose a non-s because you didn't care if it had power or not, made for a better daily or what's your story? Did you do alot of research and had time to plan and budget?

 

I got an S because it was available and it was a great price.

 

I bought a base Cooper (often called a Justa on these boards, as in 'just a Cooper') because of its better gas mileage. A few years later, I bought an S for the track. Coming off a 944, you may feel a bit underpowered.

 

Sophia Loren or Raquel Welch?

 

I was shopping for a Yaris or a Fit and looked at a 02 Cooper at a Toyota dealership and imediatly was over come by the cool factor of the MINI. After some research I found it was better for me to buy new with zero miles than used.

On any used MINI for sale it should state on the windshield "Comes with huge extended MINI family and posible Motoring Clubs nearby".

Now I have MINI envy after reading about 15% pulleys, CAI's and other stuff for the R53 model.

Any way I have an 09 justa cooper off the lot.

BTW MiniMe02 it lookes like a Night Fire Red Cooper S next to your MINI in your signiture pic, do you have two MINIs?

 

That is actually my friend's girlfriends MINI. He has since been overwhelmed by the MINI's charm and sold his grand prix and bought an '05 Cooper S.

Actually, I don't feel that underpowered. I'm faster in the corners now
Maybe in a year or twos time I'll trade to an R53 or R56. We shall see. Just glad to be part of the MINI community!

 

I bought my first Cooper in 2003. It was a Solid Gold that was purchased by a fellow military person. As soon as he bought it, he got orders to Korea and didn't want to hassle with not having it for a year, so I was able to take it off his hands. Loved the car......hated the color at first. In 2006 I traded the Cooper in for a Cooper S that was on a used car lot. It was Jet Black which was right up my alley. While plenty of people knock the Coopers, I'd have to say that it was a little more fun to drive in the twisties than the S I have now with the same suspension setup. For frugality with some fun, go Cooper. For decent power thrills and somewhat frugality (isn't that a cool word....fRuGaLiTy!!!!!), go with the Cooper S. Both are decent platforms and both are fun.

 

If you had a porsche before, you'll never be happy with just a cooper. Get the S you have so much more potential longterm.

 

If you like to go ZOOM-ZOOM...like you did in the Porsche....you will be More happy in the S....especially after you mod it will a pulley!! The Cooper is fine....but it is what it is...a nice car, but if you want more performance, and much more upside potential on upgrades, get the S.

 

Not only that, do a search for some of the potential problems with early model R50 series.
You will find a little better reliability and refinement in the 05-06 R53's, not to mention more power.

 

S.

 

It's a bit late to be asking the question since you already bought a "justa"!

BTW, I think you got a great warranty if the next 48K miles are covered...

 

Funny you mention that. The entire three years I owned my R50, I had to take it back to the dealer once for cracked strut mounts. My R53 on the other hand, well I could write a book on it's reliablity issues. Tobmake matters worse, the R50 was a 2003 and we all know the 2003 models were plagued with gear box problems. It's luck of the draw with these cars. The R 53 is a performance minded car, but again the Coopers can still be a blast to drive, especially in the corners where these cars really shine.

 

Funny you mention that. The entire three years I owned my R50, I had to take it back to the dealer once for cracked strut mounts. My R53 on the other hand, well I could write a book on it's reliablity issues. To make matters worse, the R50 was a 2003 and we all know the 2003 models were plagued with gear box problems. It's luck of the draw with these cars. The R 53 is a performance minded car, but again the Coopers can still be a blast to drive, especially in the corners where these cars really shine.

 

I would like a justacoopa for commuting to work and back because of gas mileage but, I love the S for the super fun factor.

 

S!! Bromance, Crazy fun and you know that deep down you are a speed freak and lust for the track!!!! plus now that you are in the community and know what is up, you can go back and do a do-over and and get the car that is as close to all your preferences as possible. Every one deserves a do-over every one and awhile

 

After I test drove both the Justa and the S, my MA asked me what I thought. Told him that the Justa handled and felt just the way I had thought a Mini would feel. Then I told him that I thought the S would probably just get me in trouble - but I like trouble..... He said that most of his customers had the same impressions after driving both and comparing them. I ended up with a 2007 MCS - loaded - because it was available and at the right price for me. No tickets yet.......Bottom line is that both models have the pep and zip you need for getting around and if you'd like to same some dough, the Justa is the way to go.

 

I think 'Zoom-Zoom' is TM by Mazda.

Coopers are fun, the S gets you to terminal velocity more quickly.
It's all good.

'04 Cooper S
'92 Miata bone stock yellow
'91 Miata highly modified smurf blue

 

I needed a commuter car - taking the minivan 60 miles round trip was just ridiculous. My wife was all about the Civic. I was all about the MINI. When I put the car together, it had to be a Justa to get the price equal to a Civic. And since the MINI got better mileage, I won the battle at home.

I knew I had a great little car, but I honestly had no idea about the fun and camaraderie until about 6 months after my MINI was delivered. And even though there's times I wish I had an S, I'm getting great mileage to work and no one else who owns a MINI cares whether you have an S or a JCW or a GP or an MC. They just care to have fun!

OK, so they may care a little more if you have a GP!

 

lol. You know me too well.

I really don't need the power of the S. If I was competition minded that would be the one I'd go with. However, this is my daily, and my only daily. I know the potential is still there but like Way said, it'll never be as quick as an S. Again, doesn't really bother me.

Yeah, the warranty is for the next 48k. So, my car is covered until the meter hits 125k.

By the way, this thread wasn't to get opinions on whether I should switch to an S or not. I was curious to how everyone else came into the cooper they have lol.

What made the 03 gearbox different/problem prone compared to the 02s and 04s since they had the same transmission? I've always wondered that.

 

 

We bought a Cooper because:

1. Oxygen Blue was Cooper Hardtop only
2. I have enough project cars... didn't want another one that I wanted to do a bunch of power mods to (Cooper S / JCW)
3. Figured the MINI "personality" was based mostly on Handling/Styling/Customization/etc, not necessarily being incredibly fast in a straight line.
4. Slight gas mileage improvement was a plus
5. Considering the above, saving $3k seemed like a good idea (for us)

 

John Cooper Works

 

I ended up with a Justa. The dealer was having a big sale so I went to have a look. Found several in my price range, but the S would have been pretty much base. Whereas the Cooper had tons more options. I was coming from a base car from before so I wanted something with a little more.

 

I like the fact that the S is rated at 1mpg less than the Justa, therefore I would still get to have fun and not give up the great gas mileage. I'm going with the S.