OK fellow Mini owners. Our Mini's are awesome. But let's be honest. The Subaru WRX with 227hp and AWD is one hell of a car. Japanese build quality, reliability, and low repair costs. Would you have been tempted at this blowout price for a brand new 2004 WRX? This would have been my first choice if the Mini was not for sale here in the USA. I love my current Mini, but if my MCS starts giving me cracked windshields, yo-yo, stumbling, rattles, electrical problems, etc., I would consider selling and getting in to one of these puppies. Anyone else?



_________________
2004 MCS - PW/B w/Xenons

 

A Hawaii member had an STI and a MCS. His MCS is now gone.

 

Ahhhhh.....the STI WRX. That 300hp beast is on a different level. I Still can't believe the WRX is street legal and for sale at USA Subaru showrooms. I guess I can dream...

 

no thanx... already got one.

 

Was looking at WRXs over a year ago (pre STI I think), didn't get one then, and not tempted to get one now. But what do I know, I'm a chick. I do think MINIs have way more personality.

Shelly

 

The thought crossed my mind, but what the WRX has over the MINI in performance is made up for by the MINI's advantage in the personality department. The WRX is a great car, but it lacks personality.

The WRX STi is a beast, but that's a different category, really. If you're going that route you clearly value performance over everything else by a wide margin.

 

I actually test drove one the other night...I am currently looking at several cars out there. Nice drive, I liked the sound of the turbo. Insurance is high though. STi is an insane beast, but insurance is even higher there. You can get some nice deals on a WRX right now. Defintely more power than my Cooper, no shocker there. My cousin has a heavily modded wagon I drove the other night - very quick car.

 

Very happy with my choice. The Mini's have personalities, and handle like no other car in it's class. 10,000 troublefree miles so far, and I could probably resell the car for what I paid for it.



_________________
2004 MCS - PW/B w/Xenons

 

Very fast, but very ugly. No thanks!

 

I own one of these little rockets. Whats not to like? AWD, 200+ hp, 4 doors, and goes like stink. I have gotten in more trouble with this car in the short time I've owned it than any other car I've owned. I can tell you that compared to a MINI, go fast parts are more expensive, and the Subaru ECM is very very touchy about what you do to it. Even something as minor as adding a CAI can trip a Check Engine light. And if you think MINI dealers are sticky about mods, jeez you outta see my dealer. They blow a gasket at ANYTHING different on the car. Service manager had the ***** to chew me out in front of a waiting room full of customers becuase I brought the car in for a warranty issue on the armrest. According to him, my aftermarket car stereo is what caused the latching assembly to break one of the little plastic tabs that hold it together. PUHLEASE!!!! Anyway after much complaining to Subaru they warrantied it. Other than that, the car has been stone reliable, always starts, gets around great in the snow with snow tires, and is a ball to drive.

However, getting 20 mpg isn't so great which is why its going down the road and a nice new, cheaper to mod, Indi Blue MCS is going to be calling the Suby's stall home. I get better mileage in my '03 Ford F250 diesel.

And yes, they are a little ugly, but they grow on ya. I would buy another one just to beat on.

T

 

You just need to put in more money and research into the rex and you'll
be happy with the car as much or more than your MCS. The stock rex is
just a barebone white canvas. How you color in its personality is really up
to your senses and knowledge about modding a car. basically, you have to
know wat you're doing if you want to make it into a nice machine...a high
risk car for beginners. You have to first like cars to like the rex.

btw, I've had zero problems with my rex currently pushing over 285hp at
the crank. spanked a few of those newer corvettes off the line with ease. :smile:

I think i have put in more personality on my rex and mcs than most of
you here. :smile:


_________________
03MCS IB/B: 123, Aerokit, R90, Milltek, Pilo Intake, H-Sport, Alta Rear Swaybar, 6CDMP3, etc.

 

I have a mini and a wrx. I like them both a whole lot. Living in Alaska I drive the WRX more. The wrx handles better than any car I have ever driven on snow covered roads or Ice. In the winter I drive the WRX with nokian haka 1 studded winter tires and kuhmo ecsta mx in the summer..don't know about the spelling. Getting rid of the stock tires made a big difference in the handling of the Wrx. If only the mini was awd...

 

I bought the MINI cuz I wanted the MINI. I did do some tire kicking but not the WRX.........it just is not in the class of car i was looking for.....I compared and tire kicked the Z car, the Mercedes 230 Kompressor, the TT and the Bimmer 2 seater (that was just a glance).
My AWD cars are Audis........

 

I liked the WRX a lot. I actually convinced my brother to buy one. I bought the MINI instead because I spend a majority of time just highway cruising to and from work. The creature comforts/interior sytling of the MINI were more valuable to me than the abysmal interior you trade for performance in the REX. Great car(WRX) if thats what you're looking for. I'd take the EVO over the STi anyday tho.

--
Cheese