Today I went car shopping with my parents to trade my 04 MCS, we went to VW and I saw 3 GTI's and 4 GLI's I like a-lot, drove a GTI and it's fantastic instant acceleration, then went to Mini drove a R56 MCS loved it too but I have to opt for Auto so what to do I wish I could keep my mini. But being stuck in traffic for an approxametly one hour and fifty two minutes with stick and not getting out of first gear at all sucks and damn my left leg hurt for the whole day

 

The Miini is a much funner car to drive. But the auto in the GTI is really good.

 

GTI with DSG all the way
i wish i could get DSG in a mini

 

I don't believe that the quality of the VW products now-a-days is something you will end up singing praises about.

 

I feel your pain. I'd recommend trying a R53 MCS auto. I did, and I liked it with the paddle shifters. It's the closest thing to a DSG/SMG type shifting I've found on a slushbox. Not sure the R56 auto MCS will be the same as the R53 as I don't think they've hit the dealers yet.

Question for you: how do you find the steering on your 04 vs. the GTI?

-Andrew

 

I was deciding between a MINI and a GTI. It is really a tough choice. But, in the final analysis, even though the GTI is a fantastic performer, it just doesn't have the fun quotient a MINI does.

 

Stick with a manual. The more of that driving you do, the easier it gets.

I just drove for 2 hours this morning in snowy stop and go traffic. Also took me 3 hours to get home a few months ago. Both times my clutch leg was fine afterwards.

That and trying not to focus on being stuck in traffic help you to not notice th constant clutching.