Any suggestion for a non-MINI that drives like the R56, especially the way it handles?

I have a 2018 F56. Love the car, mostly for its appearance, but I also like other things about it: sprightly, nimble, comfortable, and fairly quiet. However, I don't love the way it drives. I recently took the car on MTTS. We had a blast. I tried my best to love the way it drove, but I just ... couldn't. It just felt too much like a nice sedan.

The problem stems from the fact that I drove several R56s before, and I just love the way the Gen 2 drives. The R56 made me understand the go-kart part of MINI's slogan. I like the rawer feeling, the way I could feel the road, and, most of all, the stiff steering. I just can't duplicate that in the F56. Even in the sport mode, the steering wheel feels too light for me.

I've been looking for a 2011-13 R56 to buy for a while, but haven't found any I liked enough to buy. At this vintage, the inventory is just not that high.

So, I'm now thinking of looking outside the MINI brand to see if I can find something else that handles like the R56, especially the stiff steering part. I don't really care about comfort, or even speed. I just wanna get that go-kart feeling. In the 80s, I drove a Toyota Corolla SR5 - a simple and raw car (and super reliable to boot). That steering was so hard that I don't know if it had any power-assist - yet I loved it. One friend suggested the Toyota GR86, but I haven't driven it yet.

Auto transmission is preferred, but I'm open to a stick. (I drove a manual BMW 320i for about a decade when I was young.) Max budget would be similar to a new MINI Cooper. Thanks!

 

MIata?

 

Any old 3-series BMW. E30, E36, E46.

Favorite thing about my R56 is that it drives a lot like an E30 with sorted suspension, but with an extra gear, similar power from the smaller engine but turbo noises, and is 'wrong wheel drive'.

The problem is that most of these are clapped AND more expensive than an R56.

I'd look at other hot hatches and small cars. Miatas, FRS/BRZ/etc, first gen 1-series (E82 - N54/N55 will be maintenance ****** at this age, but the N52 non-turbo cars have their issues, but are generally reliable. Basically anything that is manual and sport seats)

 

How about this, keep the F56 and find you a R53? Those long road trips like MTTS the F56, for a weekend on the Dragon the R53.

 

This is a fun exercise. So a NEW mini starts at $25k.

That money would get you a nice used FRS/BRZ. I have not driven one but did take a ride. Not super fast but great handling and fun factor.

My choice would be a 987 model Boxster or a Cayman. Super fun, great handling and brakes. Can be had for that price point but check insurance. Not sure if you are a DYI but these are pretty reliable and if you can do your own basic maintenance you can avoid the 'Porsche tax".

Miatas would also be a good choice (probably the most reliable and cheapest to maintain of these)

I would definitely go rear wheel drive. I love the R56 and it's go-kart feel but it RWD would be the one missing factor.

 

And not to hard to boost performance to near 400 rwhp - change the downpipe and a tune ..

But might not be go carty enough for you.

 

Mk7.5 GTI? If you're still wanting a hatch.
ND2 Miata would be near the top of my list

 

Not sure if this is an issue for you. But boxsters are great - as are minis. I felt like my eyes were true to top of the windshield in the miata though. I own or have owned miata, boxster, 997 and 2cd gen mini. The miata is last on the list for headroom for me. I am tall with a long torso though.

 

I'm tall with long inseam, so the Miata has always been a great fit.
Same with my 75 Midget. No headroom issues for me there either.

 

I have a 01 Celica GT-S TRD with Megan Racing Coil Overs, Whiteline Swaybars, Powerflex Bushings/Mount Inserts. It handles just as well as my R56 does...Just wish it had the same "turbo pull feeling". If I got a Torqamp or supercharged it I think it would be on par in every way.






My R56:

 

This is a great post.