What other cars did you test drive before you decided on the MINI? I'm sure a lot of people drove the GTI or Si. Or a scion or a prius. Or (god forbid) the PT cruiser! But did any of you choose the MINI over a boxster, evo, M3, etc?

I ask because I didn't go test any other cars (although I might have given the clio trophy a go if they sold it over here).

 

I only test drove the MINI. I had been interested in the Cooper since I saw The Italian Job and I had seen some around town. Finally, after seeing a Cooper a day for about a week, when I usually only saw them ocassionally, I decided it was a sign and I went to the dealer for a visit. I thought I would get the test drive over with and if I didn't like the MINI all the obsessing would be over and I would just keep the car I was driving, a 2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport, which had nothing wrong with it.

Well as you all know, once I took the test drive it was all over. I placed my order that day and was driving my very own MCS 2 months later.

 

I was going to test drive a couple of VW's but tested the MINI first, so there was no hope for the VW's...therefore I only test drove a MCS.

 

I test drove an e46 M3, e46 330 and e46 325 as well as a Boxster and Boxster S, WRX, Sti, and a MC and MCS before buying the MCS JCW.

 

I drove a WRX and MCS back to back.....Easy choice after that.

 

Miata (almost ordered one too!)
Celica (great car, but life below 6000rpm is......,.......)
WRX (TURBO fun! interior crap!)
GTI VR6, 1.8T (good car, just......... nothing special)

 

I had wanted a MINI and coveted them since 2002.

That being said once it became a real possibility for me to get a brand new car (I'm 23) I first looked at a cheaper route. Used GTI's. But turns out I actually got a deal through my work where I get volkswagens for invoice. So a brand new GTI seemed likely. I drove them. They are nice, definitely love that Volkswagen interior. I was settled on it. So a couple weeks later I went back and drove a MINI as I was waffling back and forth and the miniute I punched the trottle and turned onto the street I said to myself "What the hell was I thinking. How could I purchase anything else?"

So then I put my foot down and relized the GTI was the easy way out and not what I really wanted. I was just being soft and wimpy. So My MINI is on a boat right now.

Nothing is like a MINI.

 

STi, R32, and an Evo VIII, but ithe mini was always my primary choice. I just lost sight for a short time...

 

I was approved for a loan on a GS430 but the buyer was hard to get ahold of. Was ready to sign on a g35, but the dealer started to go back on their word so i walked out. Test drove the MCS then the WXR back to back, same dealer. The WRX was fast, but borring. So, MINI it was.

 

Ferrari Enzo, Carrera GT, SLR, Murcielago....but the MINI was clearly the top performer. It was sold on me.

 

I first wanted a MINI back when the came over too, but the local dealer was tacking on the $3500 "packages" back then. Late last year, the stars finally aligned and I was able to get one as a second car and never really considered anything else. On the other hand, if I had been shopping for a primary vehicle, I definitely would have shopped around more. I may be the minority here, but I'd have a hard time making the MINI perform all of my automotive chores.

 

mcswrks - I also thought about the enzo, but since it didn't have back seats, I cancelled my test drive.

 

i backed out from an R32, and the only reason was the new body style was in Europe already, and then test drove the MCS, fell in love, and last weekend testdrove the new MK5 GTI, just for the heck of it, both DSG and standard, and my Mini is farrrrrrr better, and belive it or not faster too. So the Golf GTI is out of my system now

 

The new 2006 Jetta with a stick. Pretty good acceleration with the new 5 cylinder and 150hp or so. I have good financing options with VW as a preffered customer, somewhere around 3 to 4% interest. You really pay down a car quick with those interest rates. But the MINI won out and I doubt my wife will give up her S/W for a sedan. So we are a mixed family, VW/MINI. At least both have the autobahn heritage. Now about my HD/Buell and Yamaha 2-stroke, that's a real mixed marriage, heh?

 

None. I wanted a MINI.

 

None, I also knew I wanted a Mini, and after I test drove one, that was all it took.

 

I didn't even test drive the MINI before placing the deposit to buy mine. There were no test drives being given back in 2002 when I ordered it.

 

Was inches from closing a deal on a mint E36 M3 with 25k miles.

Then test drove a E46 M3 SMG, a G35, a Lexus GS430 and was also debating going to Carrera route.

I decided to wise up, save some coin, put more smiles on my face and opt for the JCW MCS as nothing was as exciting to drive as that was (IS!)

 

The two cars I was interested in were the MCS and the Acura RSX Type S. I drove the MINI first, enjoyed every second of it. The following day I took a friend to get a second oppinion. We first went to Acura and took out the Type S, fun car to drive for sure. I then took him to MINI, so we could get a back to back comparison. By the time we made it around the first corner in the MCS, my friend turns to me and says "there is really no reason to go back to the Acura dealership at all...". Although I feel both cars are great, some numbers I've seen show the Acura to be a bit faster, the MINI was much more fun to drive. I hate waiting for VTEC to kick in, the MINI seems to have much more low end punch. The MINI also seems connected to the road better. For me, the fun to drive factor, and the unique personality of the MINI is what made up my mind.

Jason

 

Coming from a long list of muscle cars: 5.0 Mustang, Z28 Camaro, and a '01 C5 Vette I wanted something different. My '05MCS has exceeded my expectations and has moved to the top of my list. I think I was sold before I even drove one. Nick

 

Glad im not the only one that appears to go from one end of the specturm to the other. Big, lux and rwd to small, nible and fwd

 

None

We went looking for a MINI and a MINI only

 

We drove a g35 coupe (back seat too small), 05 mustang gt (got muscle cars covered), subaru wrx-sti (crap interior and floppy rear wing) before going with the Mini. We were mostly concerned about going to a FWD car after a decade of RWD, especially our Miata. After the MCS test drive though, we were hooked! I haven't been in the Miata since we got the car 2 weeks ago. I will miss hanging the tail out on the onramps though...

Just passed the 1250 mark last night on the way home and WOO HOO!! 98 cubic inches of unleashed fury!! What a blast!

John

 

I'm too embarrassed to say.

 

I looked at an RSX Type S but didn't drive it. I didn't like the interior at all.

Then I drove a Mazda 6, not because I wanted one, really just for the hell of it since I went to look at RX-8's and they only had automatics and I wanted to drive something. My MINI was found the day after that so I didn't go to the other dealer to drive a manual RX-8 or anything else.

I was in a bad situtation... my previous car was totalled and I had no more than about 10 days before everything was done and they took my rental back. I have no idea what I would have ended up with if my 04 hadn't been located on a ship. I was planning to order a MINI just a couple of weeks after the time that my accident happened.