I mentioned in another post that I am considering the Acura TSX or the MINI for my Miata replacement. Love the sporty feel, but I have complaints with the 10 year old car are:
-Rattles (10 year old convertible, what do I expect?)
-Long distance ride
-Highway roar (road & wind)
-Wee too small luggage capacity.
-Tight space inside on longer drives (seats, legroom, etc)

I still want something sporty, and the MINI offers the closest thing I've found to my Miata. The TSX is also pretty zippy. I know the TSX will work to cover my concerns on the Miata, but I worry it will go too far. However, my opposite concern is with the MINI taking care of the luggage capacity, the tight space, and the rattles, but I wonder if on a 4-5 hour drive how the ride will be and the road noise.

I would not get the sport suspension, but would get the S with the 17" rims. On my couple test drives, the car felt very firm, but never really jarred or boomed like my Miata does. It never crashes over bumps. However, the ride was still busy, and you still feel everything on the road. Great for making the car fun to drive, not so great on long highway drives. It is hard for me to really tell on a test drive, because everything feels better than that Miata. However, once you live with a car a certain amount of time, you adjust, and I'm wondering if the MINI feels acceptable on test drives but will eventually still be too firm/busy/loud.

So, what's your take on long distance cruising with this new one? How is the ride? The space? The seats? The Miata is about 1 hour before I need a break. I'd like to be able to drive 4-5, not feel beat up and fatigued, and not feeling like I should have stopped all the time.

I hear Miata folks who love driving their cars long distances. Me, I love it around town but just can't take it on long trips. Your opinions will help greatly. Especially as my only car, it needs to do most things pretty well, and I still gotta have fun driving it. So what is your take on the long distance comfort? Any Miata comparisons? Will the MINI be enough of an improvement to satisfy me or will it not go far enough?

Any help is appreciated. I'd hate to buy the MINI, then find out I bought the wrong car I thought I would love everything about a Miata, then I realized while it is fun to drive, I need a bit more everyday comfort. I bought the Miata used and cheap. I don't want to blow $25K+ on a MINI and then have the same thing happen....

 

This summer we took our 04 Cooper from AZ to NH and back - 7666 miles in all. For two it is a fantastic car. Handles great on the interstates and is pretty quiet too. We would cheerfully do it again - and we will !!

 

I'm somewhat ride sensitive. I bought the MCS with standard suspension and 16" wheels. Spent about 3 hours in the car on Sunday though only 1 hour or so at a time. The car is surprisingly comfortable over bumps, potholes etc. As you said it doesn't crash. The cloth seats are perfect for me (6'4" 200) and my 5'3" much lighter passenger said she felt comfortable also. I don't feel cramped in the car. It was very windy but I wasn't chasing the car at all on the road. The steering is dead still. All in all I think it will make a very good long distance car, once I get my cruise control.

The only complaint I have with the ride comfort is over some concrete highway joints. I think it has some to do with the run flats, slightly heavier than needed stock wheels and that it's a 2500 lb car. The MINI test models with 17" wheels felt a bit rougher to me. The only other small complaint is the tire noise can be just a bit loud on some very rough surfaces but again I think that's more the tires than the quiet built into the car. I don't hear other cars or outside noises much, just my tires and just on a couple of unusually rough roads.

If I were you and I wanted 17" wheels I'd order the 16" and buy the lightest wheels and non-run flat tires I could. That's what I will probably do when my 16" tires wear out.

OK, after writing all this, I now remember 2 weeks ago I compared the ride to a VW GTi and Rabbit. Honestly those cars were more comfortable though not as sporty. I think some of the above may be a bit of rationalizing. Probably the first time it's ever occurred in a MINI forum. Back to your list, I think the only issue may be the long distance ride and only if you travel over many expansion joints. If so go test the GTI but don't tell anyone here I said that.

 

I've got a little over 600 miles in my CR/B MCS:

Things I've noticed... the engine and tranny have really loosened up...the sport button still suprises me when it's on!

We've taken two 120+ mile trips...no problems at all...not tired from driving or sitting. This included a trip across the prairie heading into a 30+ MPH wind... very little wind noise=one impressed owner.

My ONLY complaint about the seats...is that they are so supportive that my wallet jams into my butt cheek and I have to put it in the door within 20mins or my foot falls asleep...

all in all.. our road trip to Yosemite in 2 months is looking better and better

 

My wife and I took our brand new 2007 MCS for a drive from San Francisco to Carmel along Highway 1 (2H30 each way) and it was just great!

We have the Sport Package with firm ride suspension so it's def. a bit rougher but still comfy. Once you push on the "Sport" button, everything changes... That's when my wife started to complain about neck pain ahah! JK

The S comes with Sports front seats, but then again, still very comfy. I would recommend you get the heated seats (heated-cushion & heated-seatback), it's soothing and worth the extra $270!!

 

We drove our S, with sport seats, on a 1,000 mile round trip. No problems with comfort. My husband is 6'3" and wasn't cramped a bit. I'm sure that the runflats weren't as smooth as other tires might have been but we had no complaints.

 

Hi Jerome, I recently was just cross shopping the Miata with the MCSC. I previously was driving a Subie Forester.

Several of the items you are asking about are the reasons I picked the MCSC:

1. I wanted something sporty and fun to drive
2. I wanted something that could handle long trips with luggage for a week trip for two people
3. I wanted a car that would be comfortable on the long trips
4. I wanted a drop top

The MINI fufilled item 2 -- most long trips I take are just me and my bf. Even though it's not nearly as spacious as my previous wagon, with the rear seats folded down there is more than enough space to pack stuff for a week long camping trip in the boot and the rear seat area.

I also feel there is plenty of useable front passenger room (if there's only you and a passenger), at least as much as the Forester. And, unlike the Miata, I can get in the car and just throw whatever crap I'm carrying into the back seat, just like I did in the Forester. In terms of passenger room, I won't be hauling furniture anymore but I'm surprisingly really not left wanting for more space.

As far as comfort, the MINI has more ameneties than my wagon did (heated seats, HK sound system, automatic climate control, xenon lights), but I don't know how that compares to a TSX. So, in my case, I feel like I got the best car that suited my wants AND needs.

Hopefully you figure out whether the MINI would work out for you, and good luck on purchasing your next car!

 

We drove the car home (well, I drove it home) 200 miles after purchasing it. My butt didn't feel bad at all. If I'd driven our 2004 MC, it would have been different. I'm due to drive it back for the license plates and driving lamps soon. I'm not dreading it.

As for shoulder room, it's fine for me, and I'm a portly 6'2" guy. My wife would hit me if I commented further, except to say we ride elbow to elbow.

The MINI isn't a "grab a pillow and curl up in the back and wake me when we get there" car by any stretch, and I know if we were driving much more than 200 miles, we'd stop and stretch a bit every few hundred miles.

 

I've driven to the West Coast (Eureka area) and the East Coast (Atlanta) and have had no problem with the comfort. There is more driving to do than in my Saab 9-5, mostly because of the responsive steering, but that's what makes it fun. Mine is an S convertible. Driving hard the MINI is actually more comfortable than the Saab because the seats hold me in place instead of my arms on the steering wheel.

When I have a choice of which car to drive the 1300 miles to Northern California, I choose the MINI. Of course, because of the family and the need to bring this or that, the Saab has made the trip more often.

 

Hijack Alert!:

I wonder if you have the same experience I do -- I actually find that weekends away when we take the MINI are more pleasant because we pack more carefully. We bring just the clothes we need, just the "toys" we need and therefore have a lot less to carry into the hotel . . . and if camping, everything is organized and at hand, like backpacking. Of course, there is the extra chore of finding the local car wash.

 

I regularly drive my 07 MCS to Wales and back in a day (approx. 750 miles). I only stop for fuel and drive it as a single jopurney. It can take over 5 hours each way. Now I'm 6ft 5" and 250lbs so I'm not small. I have the lounge leather seats and have no comfort issues at all.

Luggage wise it's obviously not a huge boot and if you have people in the back it remains small, though with the seats down it's not bad at all. I for one would not want to spend a great deal of time in the back.

 

I took delivery of my 2003 MCS 4/4/03 and left 4/11/03 on a 6-week cross-country roadtrip. Drove her 10,500+ miles through 22 states. She is VERY comfy for long road trips! I have the heated seats, and use them to keep my back limber. I typically drive 500-700 miles/day on my annual cross-country road trips, and am very comfortable. The MINI is a great car for long-distance motoring. I'm sure the R56 is also comfy!

 

I drive my MINI for work. I have meetings and sales calls all over the State of CA. I'll drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles or San Diego at the drop of the hat rather than fly. In fact, since getting my MINI I have flown less. I also go routinely into the northern part of the state and have been into OR and WA, too. I find no problem driving my MINI straight for 600 miles (with a gas stop or two). Obviously, I enjoy driving my MINI long distance.

 

I was concerned about highway driving on the mini because the R53 is a bit "rough"... but everyone said they had no problems whatsoever. In any case, the new R56 is quieter and the ride is a bit softer, so I feel totally confident it will be great for the road!

 

Ha. I've been putting off this car thing for a few months. Just thought I'd bring this back and say thanks for the responses.

The new car is noticably better than the old one? The old one was rather punishing I thought.

Beyond that, I have a devil of a time searching for opinions on the 16" vs 17" rims (that come with the sport package). I think because 16 and 17 are too short so the search doesn't come up with anything. Anyway, what is the take here? the old 17" S-Lites on the old car were pure hell I thought. If they aren't on this new one, I might go with them as I like the style and the lower profile and more width would make the car handle better. But if the 16" doesn't plow and offers better ride comfort with almost no handling drawbacks, I might just save the $200 and get the 16's.

 

I did a 400+ mile trip this past weekend - not all in one go, but did spend 2-3 hours in the car at a time. I have a MC manual with "15 performance tires and sunroof, sport seats with letherette. It is EXTREMELY quiet and very comfortable. My BF kept remarking on how quiet it was and was snoring away within 10 mins of being on the highway (he's 6'3")!

There was one stretch of highway that was in bad repair and had lots of concrete joints - the wheels were really noisy, though it wasn't especially bumpy - just loud.

My only issue was because it is a manual, we got stuck in holland tunnel traffic for about an hour and since i haven't driven much in the past 10 years, I woke up the next morning with an aching calf.

 

Haven't tried a real long trip yet, just 90 miles from the dealer. Completely comfortable and smooth with a MC and 15 in wheels which do not have runflats. Very quiet as well. Will definitley be taking a trip to my dad's (670 miles) and expect it to be as comfortable as out 2004 Accord EX-L.

 

Since everyone has said pretty much everything there is to know about the R56, I shall chip in with comments about the TSX. I was originally looking at an '07 TSX mainly due to sporty looks, handling, efficiency and reliability. However, one major drawback discovered during the test drive was the really heavy load on the engine. I mean, I could hear the engine strain in order to keep the car going quickly. Acura's gear gates are a joy to row through but it was really lacking in grunt. 210-odd bhp might sound like a lot, especially when compared with the MCS' 172, but believe you me, another 50hp and a little more torque would have done the trick for the TSX.
The auto tranny in the TSX is pretty good but I ditched it the moment I test drove a manual MCS.

 

As a long-time miata driver, I wanted to give you a vote of confidence on the R56 as a practical foil to the miata. I drive a 1999 miata that I have had since new and is now at 234,000 kms... modded suspension, roll bar, intake, exhaust, tires, etc. as most well-loved and well-enjoyed miatas are. I now do an 1600 km trip (round trip) in it every few weeks so it was time for something a bit more comfortable.

But I knew better from past experience than to get carried away and buy a "settling car" to accompany the miata. The mini, as you noticed, is about the only car that gives the driving satisfaction of the miata with the added bonus of a back seat, more cargo room, and a much quieter more comfortable long distance ride (particularly with respect to wind noise).

I found this even with the first-generation mini, but the ride comfort there was a bit too harsh for me to go through with a purchase. I find the R56 exactly the right balance of supple + sporting euro-tuned suspension and so have ordered a cooper to supplement my miata (which will now be a weekend toy only and can finally get the supercharger kit it deserves!). Also, while the miata is not quite a gas guzzler, the incredible fuel economy of the R56 (particularly the cooper, but even the S) will be a very noticeable improvement on highway trips too.

In short, yes a sedan like the TSX is too much of a compromise for a driver used to getting their kicks in a proper sports car like the miata. The mini, on the other hand, is not so much a step down as a step sideways. (And if you can, keep the miata too like I am doing!)

 

I'll tell you how my MCSC is on a mini-long-haul after next week, Jerome.

29 MINIs, 53 great friends, 1000 miles, and a weekend in Cambria, San Simeon, and Monterey! I can't imagine a better getaway!

 

We recently took our 07 MC 6 speed on a 600 mile trip. It was surprisingly quiet and comfy -- lots of room for 2. Nice storage and amenities. The new armrest recently installed helped too. It really doesn't give up much to our normal long-trip vehicles, a 2006 BMW X3 and a 2006 Ford Fusion Company Car -- (and it got about 40 mpg.!!!)

 

Is this an event? Where are you starting from, and who is the group? I live near Monterey.

 

We just completed a trip from the East Bay to Santa Barbara and back, around 800 miles. Our MCS was far more comfortable than our GTi, especially the seats and we got a lot better gas mileage, 35mpg. The only thing I can complain about is the wind noise at 90mph, but I guess that's cos the Mini is not particularly aerodynamic.

 

dont sit on your wallet, your but gets a bit sore haha

 

Hi all. I left Philadelphia Sunday at 1 PM and arrived home in Santa Fe at 7 PM tonight. I did put the top up at mid-day each day to avoid a little of the sun. Had it up a couple of times for showers as well. It is a sweet car on long trips!

Oh, I had 15 inch Cooper tires on my S convertible for this trip. They do make it smoother. Still, I did the Dragon on the way out and the North Carolina portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway. The tires clearly work harder than the 16 inch tire and wheel combination when I drive swiftly but they get the job done on the highway . . . I would hate to try to keep up with anyone on the track though.