I am very familiar with journalist complaints about Mini's harsh ride, cramped interior, etc. Having recently driven a JCW with sports suspension and 18" wheels, I was very impressed with ride quality (stiff but controlled), performance and overall quality. I also have a 2009 Clubman S so my opinion is not limited to that test drive.


This week, I have been fortunate enough to have rented a 2016 Camaro with the 275 HP 4 cyl Turbo and 8-speed automatic. According to the pundits, this is a much better buy than the MCS or JCW, handles better, is faster, etc. I am not an expert after almost 300 miles, but first impressions are important and I certainly do not agree.


Steering and handling are excellent. Ride is firm on good roads, but among the worst I have ever experienced on rough roads. It is very harsh over bumps, even at very low speeds ... I could feel my luggage bounce going over speed bumps. Minis are stiff, but never this harsh in my experience. Visibility is awful ... not bad, but truly awful. Seats are good ... no issues there. I think the transmission is good, but could never find a setting that was fun ... even in Sports mode shifting seemed to have a mind of its own and it was never where I wanted it to be. And BTW ... it has a rear view camera standard. That is good; however, the resolution and the guidelines are awful ... the resolution on the Mini camera is in a totally different class. Interior space is awful and fit and finish is spotty at best.


Bottom line, it is fast, it handles well; however, it rides worse than awful, shifts when it wants to, and in general I really did not like it. It looks hot, but since you can't see out, parking is a nightmare. No ... I did not like it nor did I find it fun to drive. At $27K+, it is nowhere near the car that a MCS is. I am really amazed at the ratings it gets ... not impressed at all. I can easily live with and enjoy a Mini ... the Camaro not nearly so much.

 

I read the reviews on the new Camaro also. Seems like a great buy who wants a sporty car and doesn't want to mortgage the family farm for one. The Mustang is another alternative (but not a Ford guy). Comparing those to the MINI is apples and oranges. They are both "boats" compared to the MCS

I looked for alternatives to the MINI and didn't find many. New Mazda Miata, looked good (as the advertised coupe, but was a disappointment when I sat in one), and it's not really a fastback coupe as advertised.. Fiat didn't trip my trigger and their repair record is scary.

I'm going to stick with MINI until maybe we see the BMW M135 arrive here in the states as a comparison.

 

When I chose the JCW F56 this past spring, I considered:

I wanted something that handled really well, and that I didn't feel the weight. I would of prefered a rear engine, rear wheel drive (I had a 1994 MR2 Turbo as my last toy @ 412 RWHP) vehicle, but there was NOTHING out there (yeah, if money were no object) that did it for me.

I think as an overall package (exclusivity, style, performance, handling, and technological geewhiz) there is not much close or approaching the JCW F56 2Door Hatchback that also gives you the ability to mod and toy with it.

I mean, there are not alot of cars that you can go gangbusters into an unknown turn and come out of it like Aryton Senna. Man this thing just wants to attack.

I my case, I do not have the performance tires, but when I track the car next year... ooh mama, watchout.

I would of not EVEN put on my list anything from detroit. Comparables? Geez, I don't know. In a new vehicle... GTI, Scion FRS... not much else. I would of not considered a BMW 1 or coupe. Not for me (I have owned a M5, and anything else, would, in my case, left me empty had I chosen a BMW).

Cheers,

 

Rented a Camaro a year ago December. I don't know what engine it had and I didn't care. It was the interior that doomed the car in my eyes. Horrible seating position, which became irritating after more than two hours. I agree the view out of the cabin is awful--just plain awful. The controls were cheap, fiddly, and could have been much better material.

I now know why Bumblebee is mute much of the time, I wouldn't want to talk about myself either.

 

Buddy just bought a new turbo car.aeo. It's huge compared to mini not sure why anyone would cross shop them

 

After another day or so, it seemed a little less awful. However, the ride really is harsh and I could never figure out what the transmission was trying to do. Bottom line, it just isn't fun like a Mini even though the price point is pretty close.

 

My dad just bought a '16 Camaro SS Convertible that he seems to love. He told me that I should drive it a bit before I actually take delivery of my JCW because it might change my mind. I must admit, the technology is pretty cool in terms of nav / and apple carplay (this I wish was in our MINIs)..I like the ventilated seats, particularly in the TX summer heat, but aside from that and the pure straightaway power, the JCW and F56s in general has it beat. Smaller, more agile, less conspicuous and the overall fit and finish feel better.

The SS has a really beautiful sound, and is far too easy to top the 100mph mark in a short distance...but, in order to feel like you're getting your money's worth, you would risk racking up some serious speeding tickets or attorney's fees. I would also mention that I feel the newest design is the best of the 'new generation' yet. Sharp and masculine. Great car, but I'm very happy with my JCW.

 

The SS is a totally different story, even though you still can't see out of it. Hopefully interior fit and finish is better. My experience was with the base model that competes directly with the MCS with a $27K price. I believe the Mini offers much more fun, better value and much better build quality. Most of my gripes with the Camaro reflect a lack of balance and refinement. It has raw power and handling, but a lack of finesse in day-to-day driving.

 

Agreed on all points...the fit and finish is pretty nice though.

 

I disagree on all points

 

Camaro is in a completely different segment than the MINI IMO. The Ford Focus would be comparable to the MINI and likely cross-shopped. I never looked (or look) to the Camaro as a Mini alternative. VW Golf, Audi, Mazda hatches BMW 1 series more likely cross shopped.

I suppose if you were just talking dollar$, then yes maybe. However using that criteria, the Mini probably wouldn't even make that list (as shown below):

http://www.caranddriver.com/features...d-more-feature

http://www.autobytel.com/car-buying-...30-000-113205/

http://www.insidercarnews.com/10-of-...ars-under-30k/

Guys looking for at a Camaro are also looking at the Mustang or Challenger as options.

Course, everyone has their opinion. If I were looking to replace my C7, then a Camaro SS or upcoming Z28 maybe be a consideration, but even then would likely be looking at the new Cayman or Alfa 4C or Lotus.