I'm still looking at getting a stick shift Mini convertible. The more I look and search, the more confused I find myself getting. I read about coking on the S editions and originally ruled them out. Then I saw stories about the 5 speed vs the 6 and ruled out the 5 speed. I have seen arguments FOR the earlier models as well as arguments AGAINST them. I had originally budgeted an amount that was self governing to selection, but I raised the dollar figure and decided to bite the bullet if necessary to get something better. At the moment I am eying an '05 S that is quite near to me, vs all my other options that are anywhere from 2-6 hours drives away. (Not much in my backyard it seems.)

Even looking at posts on this forum, I find the same pro and con positions that are equally reinforcing as well as confusing, depending on who posted and when.

I came from the Miata world and life there was pretty simple. There are only (so far) 3 basic editions/series with either a 5 speed or an automatic. Simple. Here there are mind boggling possibilities that just offer more confusion to the feeble minded like me!!

 

My wife was on her second Miata 5 speed convertible. Said she always wanted to have a soft top and a manual. After I bought my new clubman , 2 weeks later she found she preferred a 2011 hardtop auto and traded the miata in. I think if you live in town the manual can get old.

Now my 1995 Trans Am that I gave to my son is a 6 speed and that car is just
a monster and the 6 speed is all I would have in that car.