I've been a fan of the MINI Cooper for a few years now, and as I'm ready to buy a new car in the next few months, visited my local MINI dealer yesterday to get a couple test drives in. To my utter glee, the MINI is as fun to drive as I imagined.

I took a spin in a "regular" or non-S, and an S, both w/6-spds. I was pleasantly surprised at how much giddyup the non-S had, but yet, the difference is still there. Per the dealer, the difference is $3500 between the two.

With all this, I'm wondering how you made your respective decision on trim, if it was price, performance, yada yada. Thanks for the input, and I cannot wait til I can move from neutral to first myself.

 

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-or-non-s.html

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...vs-mini-s.html

Happy reading!

 

I own both. My wife's S convert has an automatic and I have the hardtop stick. I prefer mine to hers any day of the week. I get much much better gas mileage - almost 10 mpg more. Hers sounds much peppier especially when you are trying to overtake someone going up a hill, but I hate the way it choses to shift gears. I think it revs the engine way too high for my liking. The paddle shifters help, but there's still nothing like a manual.

The only time I wish I had an S is when I go to MINI events and the maniacs in front of me leave me in their dust. But even when I drive her car at such rallies, the whine of the supercharger as well as that of the occupant of the passenger seat cause me to lag behind.

 

This is one of the best MINI quotes I've ever read!!!

 

We decided on the Non-S simply because of $$, we knew that if we Test Drove an S it would have been all over. I set a Budget of $25,000...when Configuring the car I was at @ $25,550...we could live with that. When we picked up Molly an additional $3,000 was added to the OTDP...so as you can see it can get out of hand pretty quickly, just know what you want to spend and I think that will keep you on the sane side of your MINI.

Good Luck and Congratulations on your upcoming purchase!!

Ps. I now want my Husband to get a Clubman S, but it would have to be the Dog Hauler...he's not to keen on putting the 4-Legged Kids in "such an expensive car".

 

Thanks to all for the replies, and especially IamLili for the links. Seems like I can't go wrong either way. Hate to say but I already have my car spec'd out, whether it's a justa or an S. Guess I'll just have to force myself to drive both again (poor poor me ) before making a final decision...

 

Well friday13 I have a justa, if I could have I would have gotten an S. But the money was the problem, an extra 3500 dollars and a wife who didn't want it, period! So to preserve some degree of domestic bliss I went with the lower cost option. Have I regretted the decision, yes and no. Yes when faced with a head to head contest with an S in a straight line and the "bragging rights of S ownership". No when you take "reasonable" activities into account. Going fast in the corners the base car gives up nothing, put on some racing quality tires and add a 22mm rear sway bar and you will keep up with the S, add some coil over shocks and who needs 172 horses, 118 will go as fast as you can handle. Top speed, I have exceeded the century mark on a number of occasions, the S will exceed the speed limit by about 10-15 mph more, but where are you going to do that with any frequency? And who needs to? As far as street driving it's a push, same on the highway, Haven't found any thing I can't pass yet. My base car probably gets better mileage than an S but I drive very aggessively and seldom get over 31 or 32 mpg.

So go ahead drive both, but no matter which way you decide to go, you WILL HAVE FUN!

 

I'm uncertain on the R56, but I've never heard as nice an exhaust note as on 2 friends of mine who both drive Justa R50's... and who drive them well. WE've done multiple spirited Dragon runs and I gave up no fun while leading or following either of them... it's a different driving style, more vintage-racerish (maintain momentum), but they're good fast cars. With the new 6-speed they drive VERY well. Can't go wrong.

That said, of the two I'd go for the stump-puller torque of the turbo, but that's just me. I'm not giving up my R53 for either, though.

 

You're very welcome! I can appreciate this dilemma - I was having it a few months ago - but test drove the S, and that was it.

 

I was in that same situation right before I ordered. My husband was pushing me towards the justa and I was pushing towards the S. Because of where we live and the insane driving habits of those around us, the S won out just to be able to get on the highway.

 

Not a problem with a manual...

I went with the Cooper over the Cooper S for two reasons... First, it's going to be my daily driver and I didn't want the added complexity and resultant increased chance of problems that comes with a turbo. Second, my last two cars (excluding my current truck) were early Miatas, which have even less power than a Cooper. If you know how to drive it, a Cooper is going to have more than enough power to have fun and (if you're not careful) get you in trouble. Basically, I don't feel the car needed more horsepower enough to make the trade off.

 

Unfortunately, due to an injury, I can't really drive manual anymore. If I could, I probably wouldn't even be buying a new car right now. I am hoping that I don't have issues with the turbo engine. I really really hope not.

 

Man, am I torn. Glad I have some time to mull this over.

On one hand I'd love to have the extra HP. But on the other, this'll be my daily driver in & around suburbia. Haven't though about tracking it, though I'd love to take HPDE for my own experience, knowledge, and fun. Will certainly join in any group drives or runs that I can. Two cars back I had a 4-cyl. Camry w/a 5-spd, and found ways to make that car fun, so I'm imagining what I could do w/a MC 6-spd.

I guess in the end it'll come down to diff. in monthly payments & insurance rates. I have zero doubt that, as everyone concurs - and I know in my heart - I'll enjoy the hell outta my MINI either way.

I really appreciate the friendliness & helpfulness of the members here & cannot wait to join the actual owners' ranks!

 

two words....

Hood Scoop.

IMHO, Justa's are ugly compared to S with the scoop.

That beats out all your practicality reasons,

 

MC owner here. Saved my pennies and paid cash. I love my car, around town - fun; long trips - great mpg; on the track - love it when an "S" owner comments on my speed. If I did it over, would I had waited a little longer and gotten the "S", no. I love driving this car and have learned so much about driving a slower car fast. Now, next Mini will be an "S". Have fun and drive!

 

Cars are very personal. Like clothes and food. So...

IMHO, if you want a really fast FAST car, don't get a MINI. Get a fast car. Sure, it's peppy, but it just isn't fast fast. For me, the decision was easy. I didn't want a FAST car or a moderately fast car. I wanted a fun car that got great MPG and I liked the styling. But honestly, FOR ME, great MPG and styling were far more important. Sure, I noticed a difference between the two cars speed wise but honestly I didn't think it was that big really. In some ways, hardly at all. I don't go to MINI events and I don't race people at stop lights so I couldn't care less what other people are doing in their cars. But like I said, that's me and you may have other reasons for buying THIS car.

I also fall in line with RJKimell's comments. I had a budget. IMHO the MINI isn't a car I want to spend close to 30K on or way more for that matter. At that point it's no longer a value for me personally.

The only thing I like about the S model is the hood scoop.

At any rate, the good news is you will love the new car whatever you choose!!! I have enjoyed mine so far. Quirks and all. Congrats!

 

I'm an MC owner and love the MC for various reasons: it gives me more to mod, more gas mileage, lower monthly insureance payment, lower monthly car payment (if both were to finance with equal money down), not a scoop fan (I fell in love with Mini's since the Classic Mini and those didn't have the whole scoop thing going on & yes i'm saving for a classic), loved the color option i got for my MC which was limited to the MC only (btw Oxygen Blue was discontinued in production since April 2010), don't care for the speed (hell i have had too many speading tickets, not looking for a temptation to get my liceance suspended), and in todays economical crisis, this was the more sure buy since you never know where your standing today to tomorrow, thats all.

Just weigh out the pros and cons between both out, regardless there both a Mini Cooper and thats what matters, doesn't it?

 

Thanks jbrowland!! In our next car, April 2011, Hubby's Ride, we've decided to keep the Budget to $20,000 - $25,000 and look for the car with the most Creature Feature, as we call them. So far it looks like the Kia Soul has won my Husband over...but that could change come Jan./Feb. when the Portland Auto Show is in Town!!

 

Nothing against the S, but where I drive I would almost never use the extra HP. Not saying you wouldn't, just ask yourself how often you're pushing the pedal to the floor. As for the scoop, I like my smooth, clean hood, but that's just me.

 

I might add that the S model may be helpful if you live in a very hilly place. That could be useful. You still get up the hill with the non S but you do it faster with the S. I could see how having less HP in a hilly environment could get frustrating at times.

 

I just ordered a base Cooper and I'm very happy with the decision. For me, the extra MPG is nice since I drive 20-25K per year.

Like others, I also like the base Mini's value at it's price point in the low 20's. If I was going to buy a car closer to 25-30K, I'd look for other options.

My wife has a Cooper S with 17's and I think the ride is too harsh for my daily commute over craptastic midwest roads. I used to do a lot of autocross and HPDE but for my daily driver I want something a little more comfortable.

Base Mini Cooper also doesn't have the nonlinear throttle response and torque steer that you have on the S and is just as much fun to drive for me. I also have another sportscar in my garage for those times that I want a little more speed and power.

 

I suspect there's a lot of psychology involved in whether one goes for
a Cooper S or a Justa. I am shopping and have driven both. Certainly
the S is more exciting, but, as someone has said, "How often would I
use or have need for the extra power?"

Ever wonder what people would wear or what they would drive if there
was nobody to see them? Now if it's strictly for your own pleasure, go
for it if you can afford it. Also realize that only the aficionados
will know the difference. Your neighbors will look at your new car
with various reactions - some will compliment you for having bought a
beautiful car and some will think you foolish for spending so much for
such a small car.

Where I live, a status symbol is the acreage of your lawn and the size
of your mower. I don't impress many with 1/4 acre of grass and a walk
behind, but that's OK. So that's why I will probably buy a Justa. Besides,
the simplicity appeals to me.

Ain't it great that we're not all alike?

 

I have owned both -- if money is not an issue, definitely go with the S. The extra HP is noticeable and worth the difference in cost and gas mileage if you can afford it. The cosmetic differences are a matter of personal taste, so none of us can really help you with that.

 

Initially I wanted to buy the cooper because of more MPH but then i thought about my safety. I bought the cooper S because it gives me the extra power in case i need to swerve away and not be rear ended which happened when i drove my toyota MR2 years ago

 

IMHO...I have owned a justa and two S's. It's not how often you need the extra power. It's knowing that it's there when you need it. I've had to use it quite often when merging onto the freeway...and to get out of the way of some possibly disastrous circumstances. No matter which one you choose you'll be smiling...keep us posted...