Considering a 2006 John cooper works GP car vs a new JCW model. Will be daily driver, thoughts about getting into some track club stuff. I'm new to mini's. Not new to sports cars. What are these cars like to live with? Any thoughts on the GP car? Is it a deal or is the newer tech in a new JCW better than the older GP horsepower? Welcome some informed opinions...

 

I'd get the GP. I am biased as an R53 owner though.

 

Shouldn't be a difficult decision. Hands down GP! 1st gens are way easier to maintain, mod & are more fun to drive & own. 1st gen GP is by far the ultimate MINI.

 

GP is the right one

 

That's three for three. 2006 GP. Will look at it again tomorrow. I appreciate the input. Thanks for taking the time... Open to more if anyone wishes to comment or give me their thoughts.

 

Can I vote again? GP! Here's 1 w/ just 11k mi in the Marketplace:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...k-miles&cat=12

 

GP! GP! GP! GP! GP! GP! GP! GP! GP! GP! GP! GP! GP! GP! GP! GP! GP! GP! GP! GP! GP! GP! GP! GP! GP! GP! GP! GP! GP! GP! GP! GP! GP! GP! GP! GP! GP! GP! GP! GP! GP! GP! GP! GP! GP! GP! GP! GP! GP! GP! GP! GP! GP! GP! GP! GP! GP! GP! GP! GP! GP! GP! GP! GP! GP! GP! GP! GP! GP! GP!

 

Ok. Leaning heavy to the GP, will look at the one near me I hope this weekend. Would I be tarred, feathered, scorned if I was thinking about having the car wrapped to update and personalize the look, thinking I would be protecting the original paint at the same time. Only concern are the graphic/numbers on the roof line, would they be damaged when wrap would be removed? Are the decal type or were they painted on? Thanks for pointing to the one in the market place as well.

 

I've never driven a GP, so I couldn't comment, the JCW is as livable as any other MINI, just faster. You can order it with the standard suspension, or the sports suspension, both of which are fine for everyday driving (we have the sport suspension). The JCW suspension is a dealer installed option, which I couldn't comment on. I'd assume the GP has the equivalent to the JCW suspension.

I was at the track (Sonoma) yesterday and there was a GP there, he was running times about as fast as I hoped to be be able to go in the JCW (ie about 4 seconds faster than I was). I did notice he didn't have the ridiculously oversize brakes the JCW has, nor the brake ducts. They looked like the standard R56 Cooper-S brakes (but with drilled and slotted rotors), I was having trouble with those brakes on the Cooper-S before we got the JCW.

 

I believe those are decals on the roof. If so, you must remove them before wrapping. I'd have a customized replica roof decal set made before removing, take precise location measurements should you decide to remove the wrap later & restore back to stock. Or maybe order a spare set from the dealership. Go GP!

 

Just wanted to tip in here, since I've had both of these cars in the garage for most of 2012.

The JCW is far better as a daily driver. It is more solid, comfortable, and has useful options not available in the R53 GP such as Xenon and Bluetooth. Plus you get a warranty and maintenance included. And it is actually faster than a GP while getting much better fuel economy.

However, the GP is far more rewarding to drive, gives great feedback, and will put a smile on your face every time you get behind the wheel.

So, it depends on what is important to you. If you can live without modern conveniences and don't need the passenger space, then the GP is a blast. The GP will also hold value better, so there is an economical advantage too.