Anyone driving a GP had a chance to test drive the new JCW? Thoughts?

 

I haven't driven one but my JCW should arrive end of Aug. If it hasn't been done I'll post a comparo then.

 

Why you're asking?

 

Shopping. Irvine mini happens to have both of them right now....

 

You'll be able to get a JCW for the next few years but the GP will get tougher to find. What are they asking

 

what their price and specs?

 

Umm its obviously a 2006 Gp with about seven thousand miles on it they being the price ***** they are want 38 for It So needless to say its not going anywhere.
The 2009 JCW i dident look at as heavly but its black with red int.. 5K premium and its about 42 grand asking looks good just out of my price range. I would kill to have a gp.

 

If you are looking for a GP I know of one in the Chicago area 300 miles on it perfect condition 34500 or best.

 

I know of a GP in the portland are with I think around 10k miles for sale. PM me for info.

 

Pardon my ignorance, but what is GP referring to?

 

The GP was a limited edition (2000 worldwide and 400-odd US) 2006 MCS:



More ...

 

GP was a limited production extremely high performance MINI that is considered to be the JCW of all JCW's.
If you can get one, you should hold on to it as I'm pretty sure they will retain their collector value better than any others.
Given the option of a R56 JCW and a R53 GP I would jump all over the GP.

JMTCW

 

The price is down to 36... Looks to be in good shape.
Still wont let anyone test drive it.

 

Well, if you check the specs, the GP has all of about 7 or 8 more hp than the 2006 JCW. The GP has the rear seats removed, and a few other changes. Anyone can make comparable changes to a JCW and have something that performs better than a GP.

The main thing about a GP, is it's limited production, and collectability.

 

I have a GP (#1597) and just test drove the new 2009 JCW.
First what I like about the JCW is the engine. Not as powerful as the GP but the extra torque is very nice for the street. Not much lag from the turbo either. Peugeot did an awesome job with this engine. I did return a very good gas mileage as well during my test drive.
I also like the new Brembo brakes. They are not very progressive though, a little bit of ON/OFF feeling, I don't know about fading though but they are very powerful.
I did like the sound of the exhaust but missed the sound of the supercharger from the engine.
Now what I didn't like was the steering. I don't know but this new electric steering is hem...different. You don't get as much feedback from the steering wheel as you do in the GP. The steering and road feel from the GP is awesome, incredible for a FWD car. I don't think you could make it any better. But in the JCW the steering feel artificial and not as precise, too light and I didn't like that.
Another thing noticeable is the extra weight (the JCW I tried had pretty much every options included the heavy sunroof). I don't know the weight of the JCW but my GP was weighted at 2400 lbs and the new car FEEL heavier, much heavier.
As for the look, I don't like the high butt (you can actually see the muffler and the underbody when looking at the rear). The body kit is nice but not as aggressive as the GP. I don't like the new headlights, bigger bumpers and the bubble hood.
I am not a big fan of the interior either (I hate the HUGE speedo!), materials are too cheap despite what some people say... But design is a matter of taste so you might think different.
In conclusion the JCW is very nice but I would take the GP over this any day. The exclusivity of the GP is a big plus too.

 

Zizu, nice comparo. Exactly what I'm looking for by starting this thread. Comparing the two engines, would you say the JCW is torquier? Or does it just not have as much "umph" as the GP? The specs on the JCW say 0-60 in about 6.2 seconds, so I'm curious. Thanks!!

 

i've driven both...the gp is like an old girlfriend

 

I guess that could be good, bad or something else depending on your perspective (or old girlfriend)

 

I think on paper the JCW has more torque, or to be exact more torque at low rpm, but the GP feels faster, handles better, more agile and goes off the line much quicker. the GP just FEELS lighter, much lighter...

 

You make a statement without any explanations. What do you mean?

 

Makes sense. The JCW I'm ordering will have Park Distance Control, Nav, and all sorts of other things that add comfort, but also add heft. Now if my wife will let me rip out the back seats, take out the sound insulation, and perform a few other tweaks, maybe, just maybe, it will be a bit less piggish

 

park distance control, nav, comfort stuff. (sunroof?)

You will NOT like the GP, get JCW with all the bells and whistles instead
GP more of driver car than comfy car.

 

I just drove the JCW for the first time today. Engine--I agree with ZIZU it does have more torque until about 2400-2500 RPM them about the same. No apparent Turbo lag. As far as acceleration I give the nod to the JCW until about 25 mph then the GP is faster. Feel of the pants the GP is about 1 sec faster to 60mph. Transmission--Trans and clutch felt almost identical to the GP so I liked it. Brakes--Here I dissagree with Zizu, the brakes felt very good, good pedal pressure, hauled the speed down very quickly, but I didn't press the brakes too hard as the car only had 20 miles on it and I didn't want to get too aggressive before the brakes had seated. Suspension--This car had the STD suspension and ride was very compilant and WAY TOO MUCH body sway for me, as a min I would go for sport and probably JCW suspension. Steering was OK but much better feel in the sport mod. DSC was less intrusive than I have seen on other Minis. Exhaust note was good, seemed to be very little "burble" on throttle lift. I prefer a little deeper note. Fit and finish was very good and I agree with many others the Speedo/Radio combination is a minus. Punch Leather seats were comfortable and supportive. All in all very good car. I will add JCW suspension to mine when it arrives and I think that will put it more on par with the GP. But in the end IMO the GP has just a little more for the enthusiastic driver than the JCW.

 

Well I did tried the brakes by pressing hard, at different level, like somewhat hard/ hard/ very hard and the brakes had a tendency to lock pretty quickly even with the ABS. They would be more dosable w/o the ABS on the track. Maybe the ABS is not good and the brakes very good. Anywho I didn't like how they feel...