My ex bought a Mazda 3 hatchback with the sports package several months ago and, to be honest, it drives nicer than my Cooper S.

 

ic cool, thanks for the info. that's pretty cheap for a nice
compact sportswagon.

 

but didn't you have a FX too? or was that someone else?

 

There is an article on the MS3 in the current MotorTrend.

*Edit* I see Matt beat me to it.

 

If the MS5 had been availible when I bought my MCS I would have purchased one. Way more practical, better daily driver, gotta be more reliable, a lot faster, and handles better. Yep, the MINI is pretty, but that's about where it ends.

BTW-The MT testers said that the new Si and GTi aren't even in the same league as the MS3. It's that fast.

 

is that the ECU limits boost in first and second, so that people who can't modulate the gas peddal don't just smoke the tires all the time. Wonder what it takes to disable that? He he he....

Matt

 

And the seats "hug you like a prom date!"

 

that likes tequilla, I'd buy the car on that alone!

Matt

 

HEY!!....there you go again with the "Park 'em if you got 'em" thing! ... wasn't it you who suggested people didn't drive their MINIs to (U2) concerts because they were afraid to?

 

It's funny that you have jumped on the 2 instances of me saying something to that extent, because that is so not actually me. My MINI is my only car and therefore daily driver. I am not obsessed about keeping her clean because it's both impossible and not the best use of my time. While I ADORE my MINI, I have a parent/child type relationship with her. I do my best to keep her safe and healthy, but I want her to have fun. She is going to get scratches, dents, chips etc. That's part of motoring and part of life. I don't want her in a glass box, I want her on the road.

On the other hand, if I had the option to not drive her everyday, I might not. Less days in the parking lot outside my office means less bird crap to clean off custom graphics. And when the SO and I go somewhere where we know the drive won't be anything particularly fun and the parking will be a mess, we leave both MINIs at home. A scratch/ding/dent from fun motoring is fine. The same from an oblivious stranger in a parking lot, not so much.

 

Yeah, I was looking at the FX because the harsh ride on my S is terrible for my back problems. I have however switched to 15" wheels and higher profile tires along with softer springs, which has made it much better.

I like the Mazda 3 because it has a cushier feel but still handles extremely well in the twisties - much more pleasurable than the S for my driving needs and style. The power is similar to the S (160bhp with 150lbf.ft versus 163bhp with 155lbf.ft) but the power comes from a much smoother 2.3 litre normally aspirated engine which isn’t as peaky as my S. The wheelbase is only about 7” longer and the car is about 350 pounds heavier. Sure, it wouldn't handle as well as the S in an autocross but that's not the measure in which I am judging comfort. If that were the case, I would still be driving a classic Mini, which could run circles around the new MINIs.

 

i see. if you're looking for a smooth riding j-car, i recommend you try
the Subaru Legacy's especially the GT sedans/wagons. I have the
non-turbo one but this car drives as smooth or smoother than a Lexus
and pretty fun to drive. not a MCS fun(!) but nice and smooth. very
fluid steering and throttle response.

 

Really? I've always thought the Subaru would be a harsh ride for some reason so that is good to hear. I will check them out in the future. I am pretty happy with the ride on the MINI after switching the tires and springs, though. In fact, I am going to sell the Jetta and start driving the MINI everyday now. I plan to put some Dynamat throughout the interior to quiet it down and maybe go with some of the new shocks that everybody is raving about - the FSDs?

Interesting thing about the Mazda that I didn't know but I am sure everybody else does. They are sharing the platform with Volvo and the next generation Ford Focus. I find that funny because the two cars - Volvo and Focus - are at opposite ends of the scale in my brain. But we are in a world in which VW makes the Bentley and Ford owns Jaguar and Range Rover, so there you go

 

Rick- the STi's (impreza) runs pretty stiff, but even the normal WRX
are pretty soft. the Legacy is even softer. soft but not like the
80's LeSebre soft. lol the entire car runs so smooth.... like
you're suspended in rich thick oil... kinda.

the Maz3, especially the wagon, is a great deal imho and they look good.
that was my other choice when i was looking at wagons, but the Legacy's
ride quality and overall quality (although not leather on mine) just felt
like it was more for me and the AWD kicks-*** in the rain and chicago
winter. my wife's the primary driver and she loves the car.

 

it would tempt me to trade the Mini

Matt

 

Ken--

I really thouht you were talking about one of these at first

 

^^ lol! starlet was it? dat would be an insult to the public.

 

the startlet was a dog. But this is going Wayyyy back in time, so I might be forgetting a lot..... Don't ask why

Matt

 

i may have still lived in Houston when those first came out... was it
like early 80's?

 

In the television commercial, wasn't it portrayed as some spy getaway car?

I think I wanted one when I saw the commercial.





Who had zoom first?

 

As dated as that car looks, it was considered very futuristic for the time. After all, look what was designed to replace the first generation Mini back then - The MG and Rover Metro.

 

Boy, this thread took a sharp turn!

 

Went like stink. I think they made about 8......

Matt

 

What I remember was the 323 GTX. AWD turbo & a great clubmans rally car. They brought a couple hundred over here & most went SCCA pro rallying. I've only seen one 323 turbo in FWD form. Rare as hens teeth.

 

Some clueless girl took me and my motorcycle out to the tune of 9 months in a wheel chair. I had dreams of settlement cash (all estimates were the settlement would be for $750k to $1M) untill I found out that she and her family had no assets and minimum insurance. I ended up with $15k, and my folks were out well over $35k (I was in school at the time). Yeah, the folks got what little cash I got. It's good to have loving parents.

Insurance minimums were set so long ago that they don't even cover one day in a trauma unit.

It would have been a blast.

Matt