So today, as I was called into the hospital, exiting the freeway and stopping at the the first light. Out from a distance I see a Corvette zooming up FAST, a couple of seconds ago, there wasn't a car, now a Corvette is right behind me. Couple of seconds later I see a newer modeled Camero coming after. I figured they were racing. So I was thinking when the light turned green, if I take off quick, it'll give room so the vette could zoom past the car that I am paired at this light.

Light turns green and I initially didn't take off like I was in a drag race but I accelerated faster than I normally would. The car that was next to me kept up and wanted to pass me up. (Sidenote - the strip of road, there is usually a motorcycle cop, radaring people.) I accelerated more, to say.. "hey I'm not going out like that." so I punched it. Shifting, accelerating, trying to keep up. In all looking out for cops and going really fast, I never looked down to see how fast I was going, but all I remember is that I was at 5500 rpm's and at 5th gear.

In all by the next light he was way ahead of me and as I rolled up, I smiled and he raised his eyebrows, but the poor wife that was in the passenger seat of his car, blood pressure must've been goin'.

Light turns green again and then the vette takes his turn.

My neighbor wanted me to get a Speed3 but I still chose a Mini.

 

Almost picked up an MS3 myself before getting the MINI. There's an odd flat spot in the mid range which makes the car fall flat when you're gunning it but still a pretty cool car. It just didn't have as much character as the MINI.

 

263 hp vs 208 hp. Even with the weight difference really not much of a chance. The Mazda is ugly in my estimation but more than that the driving position does not work for me. I found the center stack to bother my right knee immensely. It wouldn't work for me.

I just flat like the Mini better on all accounts and the Coupe from my estimation is way beyond the Mazda. Ultimately HP is not every consideration in my book.

 

Me too!

 

I had an modded 07 MS3(300WHP). Fast? hell yes! Handeled? Fairly well, good enough for me. Traded that for a Mazda 6 but realized that is NOT the car for me, 1 year later I'm in a JCW

 

Not too sure what OP has to do with a MPS3 ?

I was tempted by one a while back but heard too much about the turbo going bang so went for an R56 instead (although mine has had a new clutch&flywheel, full decoke, timing chain tensioner and a couple of other niggles sorted so perhaps the MPS would have been a more reliable choice afterall ). They represent terrific VFM if they dont go bang although handling needs work in comparison to the mini IMHO...

 

The stupid smile on the Mazda's "face" makes me want to kick it. Its crappy fuel mileage seals the deal.

 

I'm considering a MS3 after my wife's MCS decided to incinerate itself. Definitely more VFM ($25K vs. $30K for comparably equipped MCS), only drawbacks I see are the added weight and bigger size, alleged torque steer (haven't driven one yet) and reduced fuel efficiency.

Street racing is pathetic.

 

Downsides to MS3.
1. Handling is nowhere close to Mini.
2. MPG is nowhere close to Mini.
3. Driving position is nowhere close to Mini.
4. It's not a very good/cool looking car.
5. These cars are on every street corner.
6. Insurance is probably more??? (Maybe more driver dependent.)

Upsides to MS3.
1. It's entrance fee is lower.
2. It's faster.

 

The MINI's handling is nowhere near close my M's so that's all relative, as long as the MS3 has good enough handling I'm ok and I've driven the regular Mazda3 and was happy with how it handled.

I don't think the MINI has a particularly good driving position.

Looks are subjective and 25MPG is still way better than the 19MPG my M gets.

There are way more MINIs in my area than MS3s, but then again there are more 911s and 3 series than Camrys too. There are very few "exclusive" cars in my area.

Not having to worry about your car catching on fire while it's parked is a huge plus in my book.

 

Even though I'm a family man and it's a convenience to have 4 doors, I'd rather have two. It's all subjective.

Also. Sorry to hear about the fire. Total bummer.

 

Thanks

2 doors vs. 4 doors is also a factor I'm looking at, right now it's just the 2 of us, but need to start thinking about baby seat(s) which is a little more complicated in the MCS. Ideally I want a car that will last me for 10 years but it is livable in the city.

 

I have two kids in car seats and it's a sight when you have two car seats in the mini but it's impossible with strollers and all the baby crap you have to haul also. So we ended up with another mini... as in Van. But the kids love the coop! It's my commuter car to work that is 24 miles away.

 

Toyota Corolla would be perfect for you or a Nissan. 4 doors good for kids for quite a few years. Very reliable. Exciting factor not that great. But very practical. Sounds like practical would be right down your alley.

 

you have undeniably great patience for loading and unloading two kids in and out of the MINI. it deserves a couple of .

i have a baby due feb this year, already shopping around for 4 doors. R32 is looking mighty tempting, but first on list is a minivan, it'll be great for road trips

 

Thanks but I'll have to pass since I like to drive my cars, so does my wife, so transportation appliances are not considered. I would get an E90 M3 except it's too big for the city and I can't stand it's looks.

There are also features I would not want to live without: Xenon lights, rain sensing wipers, heated seats, auto A/C and parking sensors. So it's either the Mazda or another MINI for me, the A3 and C30 could be other possibilities.

 

lets be honest here, we know the MCS or JCW is not the fastest car on the road a stock MCS is beat by many cars. We don't buy a JCW or MCS just for speed. We buy it for its personality, MINI just sticks out to us because the car has its own personality it is not a car to us, it is a living soul that like to go fast at time and other take turns faster then one normally should. Driving a mini is about getting form point a to b with a smile on your face.

This being said the MINI still is a very fast car and i have gone very fast in it.


In my opinion you would buy the MS3 for speed, to go fast. But what happened when you are not going fast? it is just another car, in a mini, you are still enjoying sitting a the light, driving through a city. Why? Because it is fun. Even at low speeds the Mini can be hell of a lot of fun to drive.


OK i am done rambling now.

 

We'll said. I think you hit all the salient points and I agree.

 

thegind said it best. It is all about FUN

 

My best friend has a MS3 with some decent mods. Never dynoed but he's gotta be close to 300whp. I drove it several times. It's stupid fast but handles like a brick and he's on BC coils tuned to track settings. It's much heavier than people think it is or it should be. The features aren't nearly as nice as what you can get in a MINI. I was tempted to get one based on the pure power, but at the end of the day there's a LOT more to consider than just how fast a car is. Also, the MS3 should have the AWD system that's in the MS6. That always confused me. The torque steer is awful and the car limits boost in 1st and 2nd gear just to maintain any control off the line... MINI is for me.

 

It does not sound fun to drive when compared to the Mini. I like the fact that my car has a lot of civility (especially after your information) but when I want it to go fast it does but gains civility rather than lose it like the MS.

It sure is a plus in my book.

 

We had a CX-7, very similar to the MS3. It was ok, but the mileage was poor and the auto needed a tune to not feel so lethargic. Turbo seals went bad too.

 

You ramble very accurately

 

How is the CX-7 similar to the MS3?

 

A CX-7 is nothing like a speed 3 at all, and it does not have a turbo.

Maybe you meant an RX-7, but that is also different in every way possible from a CX-7. Buying an auto RX-7 would be pretty shameful too