Hey

Here in Canada we have the Mini Classic, which is a barebones Mini hardly any options starting at 22k. (Yes, Canadian prices are far higher than our southern breathren) It has 15" alloys, manual a/c, and a very limited choice of colour. I briefly checked out the Mini.com website and see that Americans don't have the same trim ... but I suppose a super base/barebones Mini owner would have the same opinions as a Canadian Classic owner.

I'm wondering if I should even consider it.

The Mini was always too expensive for me, compared to other the other options I'm considering (Civic, Impreza, GENESIS :D). Although I fell in love with the rail like handling and retro-cute styling, the specc-ed out justaCooper was far too expensive for me to swallow.

The sport seats in the sport package were wonderfully comfortable.
The panoramic sunroof was to die for.
The biXenon headlamps seemed to be a must, after driving the last 4 years with HIDs (parents car).
Black/White colour scheme was always the "tuxedo" look I wanted ... white body, black bonnet stripes/mirrors/roof.

The Cooper Classic has the MOST important things that I fell for in a Mini: deliciously stylish interior, and wickedly fun to drive ... but lacking all the options that were so wonderful.

I think the biggest thing I'll be missing are the sport seats. The non-sports aren't that comfortable ... I slid around like a pinball. I'm not exactly a big guy, so I'd want seats that have full bolsters.

I would like to actually test drive a Mini without the Sport Package. I don't mind the smaller wheels ... and stiffer suspension can always be changed. I wanna see if I could deal with the seats.

I'm also considering the 2.5i Impreza Hatch (also bad seats, and feels lethargic), Civic Si Sedan (expensive, boring exterior), and Genesis (wicked seats, RWD, tunable turbo, SEXY ... )

 

I cross shopped the same cars (with exception of the Genesis)! The Subaru's interior felt like a charcoal pit, and my girlfriend hated how the passenger seat felt so low (I agreed with her), so that was a no. The Civic's nice, but really requires you to string out the engine because all the power's in the top end. It has far more power than the non-S Cooper, but it didn't put a smile on my face the same as the Cooper did.

Isn't the Civic Si in the same price range as a decently spec'd Cooper? Around $30K for either car, I thought. My car came in almost exactly at $30K including tax, with chrome line trim and convenience package (no sport seats or xenons). Unfortunately, I think the EcoAuto rebate program has ended--I got a $1500 tax rebate off my Cooper.

If you go for the Cooper Classic you get all the stuff that makes a MINI quintessentially MINI, but you lose out on the trimmings. Do you need to purchase now?

If you see yourself regretting lacking those features, I say wait and save as long as possible. You could wait until August for the '10s to start trickling out and try to work a deal on an '09. Or you could shop slightly used models.

Otherwise, the Cooper Classic is no less a MINI than the Cooper or Cooper S. If the other features aren't something you'll miss everyday, go for it!

 

i have the bare bones american cooper s the only thing i added at purchase was the armrest and astro black. i love it i figured if i wanted to mod it i would but the parts myself. my car is def faster then a jcw and handles better because of the mods i have on it and i spent about 6 g less then the jcw

 

I had the Cooper for two years and just upgraded to the S.....When I bought my cooper it came standard with the bixeonon...a must where I am...here in the country...
either way, as far as I see it, I never regretted my Cooper, LOVED my Cooper and was hard to part with my Cooper...What did it do...Made me love MINI so much, I now have the S......sssssssss

 

Is there a reason you wouldn't consider a used one with options you are looking for?

 

Explain please. I'm just wondering what mods you have done to make your car better than a JCW.

 

Hey guys.

Wow ... my car shopping adventure got both HARDER and EASIER today.

I pretty much wiped out all the competition (no Impreza, no Civic, no Fit...) and it boiled down to two very different cars.

Genesis 2.0T Base and Cooper Classic.

I did a self-testdrive of a justaCooper and I couldn't wipe the grin off my face. Burnouts in the side streets (don't tell anyone), redlining every gear ... that baby 1.6l pulls pretty hard and the 6spd is fun to drive.

The Classic I sat in, it comes with enough creature comforts that I enjoy.

The Sunroof I got over. It's beautiful and huge, but the biggest problem is that there is no solid sunshade. There's the netting ... but it wont block out the sun (if it's scorching out) ... so I don't mind not having it.

I test drove a non-Sport package equipped, and the suspension felt firm enough ... and the seats weren't as slippery as I expected it to be. They were reasonably comfortable and that's an extremely important factor.

The BiXenons however ... I'm dying to have. The BiXenons, and lack of colour choice are the main things holding me back from a Classic. I need to do a search to see how difficult it will be to retro fit the BiXenons into the Classic.

RE: Colour. ... I suppose I can do Pepper White, or Chili Red then customize it out dealer-installed checkered mirror caps and white racing stripes/roof ... but I'm a bit concerned the vinyl sticker wont age very well.

The Genesis is a beauty though. I can't stop admiring it. It's funny, because they're completely different cars. The genesis is a larger coupe with RWD and quite a bit of power (stock isn't too fast, but aftermarket it's capable of a lot). It's gorgeous... I can't stop oogling it.

Though the Genesis is faster, I would still have to say the Mini is more fun to drive. However, I haven't driven the Genesis at it's limits yet ... but I was pushing the Mini quite well.

I think it's more fun to drive a *less* capable car at it's limits than a more capable car nowhere near the limits. On the track however, all barriers are taken down.

I wish I had more time with curvy roads in the Genesis. The genesis is a steal, I can negotiate it to pretty much be in line with the base Cooper Classic, so that's not an issue. Let's break it down.

Genesis Pros:
-gorgeous exterior
-larger car, more legroom in the rear ... but hardly any headroom
-RWD, stiff chassis
-gorgeous exterior
-bluetooth, iPod, USB, auto-windows, steering wheel controls
-capable 2.0T motor, easy to increase power (intake, exhaust, tuning ... 230whp/265wtq easy)
-did i mention gorgeous exterior?

Genesis Cons:
-larger car (i prefer smaller cars)
-expensive tires (staggered 18" ... ugh)
-questionable resale value
-bit difficult to drive gearbox ... but will likely get used to it
-useless trunk ... it's large but the opening is tiny ... I wouldn't be able to fit a fullsized suitcase in there.

Mini Pros:
-fun to drive, handles like on rails
-sips gas
-cheap tires (yay 15"!)
-love the retro interior
-though small, I love the coziness ... and seats folded down the hatch can carry quite a bit. more than the Genesis at least

Mini Cons:
-questionable reliability
-Classic doesn't look as nice as regular Cooper (lack of colour choices, no black roof/mirror caps ... only body coloured)
-i vastly prefer the Genesis exterior to the Mini exterior. Mini's not ugly, but i just think the Genesis is drop dead gorgeous

Decisions decisions. ....

 

I love how I can redline my car and still remain legal. And how even when driven enthusiastically I get no higher than 8.0L/100km.

How often do you plan to track it? Even at things like AutoX, the MINI can be incredibly fun (it's very nimble). Also, how often do you drive in the snow? My friend drives an RWD 335i and says it makes for quite a handful when there's a dump of snow and you have to commute. The MINI's reliability is not stellar, but generally the MINI (non-S) is average to good reliability.

Purely as a sports car, though, I think the Genesis wins. RWD and an engine with more of a sporting intent--it makes less compromises. That, however, probably makes the MINI a more livable day-to-day car.

 

I Dont have to many it surprised me to! All i have is cold air intake. high-flo cat to straight pipe. Those are all that matter for the engine. The jkw has slightly faster top speed but i can get there faster. I hold abut 14 lbs of boost. I have yet to loose to a jcw in autocross or a drag pull. But it might all be driving skill not the car. i just know i win .

 

I'm in Canada too. Are you considering purchasing outright or finance/lease? Between the Classic and a justaCooper, the lease payment (depending on options) is barely a $40 difference. For that you upgrade to 16" wheels, foglights, and other standard equipment, as you'd already know. Cut down your Starbucks monthly spend and you've got a justaCooper!

As for the limited options on the Classic, my 2 cents:

The sunroof is really subjective. My 07 MCS sunroof now creaks and rattles over bumps with 50K on the clock. Next time I'd forego the sunroof.

Bi-xenons are over-rated in that you wouldn't know you didn't have them unless you were side to side with another Cooper with them. When I had a Cooper courtesy car, I couldn't readily tell the difference in night time driving (and I had the courtesy car for 2 months!! Long story!)

Paint....well, Pepper white is just as good on a Classic as any other Cooper.

Finally, as for the Genesis............it's not a Mini!! Good luck in your decision making, and let us know.

 

I'll say it. I probably said it before. But I'll say it again.

The Mini is 2398729837928732x more fun to drive than the Genesis. It's just so nimble, can be thrown around corners and it'll stay flat.

I am going to be be paying with cash, so the 2k difference between the Classic and justaCooper is too much for the wheels, fogs, auto climate control, and other standard equipment that doesn't mean much to me.

Another thing: it's difficult to find a base justaCooper. They're always loaded with options that quickly make the price difference even larger.

Pepper white on a Classic is great, but it's pepper white on the mirrors and roofs too! But then I could always customize with red racing stripes on the hood, roof, and trunk. I wonder how that would look. Nice, but I'm not sure I want the vinyl aging on me.

BiXenons are overrated? My family has 2 cars with auto-levelling BiXenons with AFS. And they're far brighter than any halogens-equipped I've sat in. Even the "extra bright/higher voltage" halogens in my friend's cars ... I always ask him, half-jokingly/half-sincerely ... "Dude, turn on your lights".

The things holding me back from the Mini:
-lack of BiXenon, or even projectors so i can fit HID with glaring the hell out of everyone
-vinyl stickers may not age well

Things holding me back from Genesis:
-useless trunk (opening)
-difficult to drive gearbox

I would DEFINITELY track my Mini, I bet I could pull more Gs on it than a Genesis ...

 

MyVinyl stickers started to look pretty ugly after only two years so I just changed em! Pretty easy, the beauty of changing them is you can spice things up a ltitle with a face change!

eg:





BTW You are correct the new Genesis coupe is a beautiful car and a bargain price ( looks so much like the G37 for waaay less $$) but the resale value on the Mini is far greater. A friend bought a new 08 cooper for the same price some people were asking for their similarily equipped 06's. Please let us know what you decide either way.

 

Chili red right? That's gorgeous. But my mom's superstitious and she wont want me to have a red car. I don't think I'll get a red anyway, it's a bit too much for me.

I'm thinking Pepper white with red racing stripes all the way over. I wonder how that'll look. I REALLY want those bbs look wheels, but I don't wanna get 18" (that'll just make my Mini super slow).

Oh ... and I definitely want those rally fogs. Damn. I think the Genesis spirit in me died. :(

I'll test drive them both again before buying ... but I'm almost set on the Mini now.

RE: Stripes. Should I get them dealer installed or find a shop or do them myself?

 

If you are referring to my current wheels they are 17" not 18's

Regarding the stripes, aftermarket will be cheaper, if you are handy a DIY is possible I did mine myself and bought the stripes ( had them made for $60) from Fastsigns, they have several locations in Vancouver and across Canada I'm sure, good luck.

 

I have two other vehicles with BiXenon/HIDs, and probably wouldn't consider buying a vehicle without them. But.....here's the but, what I was trying to say, the non-BiXenon headlights on the Cooper are so good you wouldn't really notice you didn't have them....like I said, unless you compared by side by side.

I've had my vinyl decals since (Aug 07) new from Aesthetic Creations and they've held up really well.

 

When I upgraded from the 16" S-Winders to the 17" R98's, I noticed a significant difference (slower) in turn in response and seat of the pants acceleration. Also heavier steering feel. So I think going to 18"s would be even more significant.

 

To be honest with you MINI classic is a bargain if you were to compare it to European MINI ONE. It's a 1.4l and produces 75hp. It's price around 15-16k EUROS.

 

I think the Genesis looks like the old Celica. One basically get 6 options and color choice, seems limited to me. Maybe i drives better than it looks, but it looks like everything else out there. The MINI has its own look, its a heck of a fun drive, and it has a huge following. The first year of a new car always has its downside