Why are so many people obsessed with proving that they are driving something "better" than the next guy? The important thing is that you pick a car that is right for you. What works for an inner-city commuter doesn't work for a farmer. I am in the middle of a three week road trip right now and have traveled through some areas where I wished I had a truck or SUV and other areas in which I was stoked to be in a MINI. It sure as hell wasn't fun sleeping in it while it was loaded with stuff

 

"Lumbering beast"... a RAV4??? LMAO (thanks for the laugh).

My FORD F250 Powerstroke, 360HP and 725 LB-FT... now that's a Lumbering Beast. It smokes (squealing tires) off the line, it's quicker than my MCS and hauls more than any RAV4, including a$$.

OBTW, I bought the MCS, as clarkdr81 stated, "fun-to-drive factor", 'cause that F250 doesn't corner worth a crap.

 

The MCS isnt a drag car. 0-60 and 0-100 times arnt that important. There are many many cars who can beat the MCS in these tests of acceleration. However, the mini makes up for it with its handling, its ability to transfer weight and carry/keep speed through the turns creating a higher exit speed.

So yes alot of cars can beat the MCS in a straight line acceleration contest. But...when the guy next to you has to slow down to 35mph to make the turn and you can hit the turn doing 55mph (and outbrake them) you are already at an advantage as your exit speed will be much higher and they will be playing catchup. Carry this on through a series of twisties and the gap becomes even larger.

Now, before i get jumped on about how there is some vechical that can turn as good as a MINI and perform just as well. I can tell you i already know that there are cars, and maybe a few SUV's that can hang with it. But to get the performace from an SUV to match that of a MCS (not just acceleration) that SUV will most likely be on a whole different price level. Like im sure that Turbo Porsche SUV handles good and has awesome acceleration, but then again it costs 60k+ compaired to the MCS.

Overall i think the MCS, "for the price" is one of the best all around performing cars out at the moment, and is why i bought one.

 

I know he was just stating facts, I was just stirring the pot. I agree that an SUV or a pickup has it's merits as do MINI's and small cars alike. For me, I'm still driving my Civic because it is reliable and good on gas but needs more character, like a MINI. We also have a Vibe and that takes care of our hauling needs. I'm looking at getting a used MC at some point, something for Autocrossing and as a promotional vehicle for my business. Whatever floats your boat, as they say - or Chacun son gout.

 

Same here! We have a 06 RAV4. We just needed more room, with 2 teenagers and a big 7 year old, a 6th gen Accord just wasn't as big as it used to be. The third row was a must and for the performance, price, quality, intended purpose it was perfect for us.

The first weekend after delivery I removed the roof rails and shaved off all the badges, even the V6 in the grill. I wish I could lower it and get rid of the ugly spare on the back. More like the JDM/Euro models:



The wife says no. Besides it would cut into the MCS budget.

We've been pleased with it. It's quick in a straight line, just watch out for tourqe steer! It handles well enough for a tall 7 passenger wagon. The mileage after 10K averages out to be 23/27 with "spirited" driving.



And yes I did know the answer before scrolling down!

Oh and BTW we've had plenty of Soccer Moms comment on...

"How pretty that little SUV is! You can actually fit 7 people in that little thing!?"

 

In the spirit of being further disagreeable, I would even challenge the 0-60 times. How do we even really know that the RAV4 is faster off the line? Chows posted the 0-60 times from MINIUSA which are probably fairly conservative numbers. In a real-world scenario, I would expect that an MCS would be just as fast if not faster than a RAV4. But I really can't believe I'm even responding to this ludicrousness, its a preposterous comparison between a MINI and a suedo-SUV. Its almost like those assinine car magazine articles when they compare some exotic sports car to a fighter jet. They're not even made for the same purposes. And I have a more limited opinion of what an SUV is anyway. These days everything under the sun is being labelled an SUV or Crossover further blurring the line between cars and SUVs.

Feel free to stir up the pot even further!

 

BTW, I have a RAV4, I got to haul stuff from home depot. Been over that ground many times ...

How do you know the times are real. I just pulled them from a magazines or the vendor.

Remember also ... auto to auto. 06 MCS JCS was 6.4 (still slower) in R&T

I guess we need a real comparison chart so I'll compile it.

 

I wonder if the MCS had traction control turned on, LSD, rev'ed up before launched? perhaps wheel spin was a factor if traction control was off, or maybe it was on and applied braking due to wheel spin?

I dunno just somethnig to think about.

I dont know much about the rav4, is it all-wheel drive?

 

Back In 1993 I had to buy a new car and I had narrowed my choice to a Civic Si hatchback or a Miata. The Honda was the better car by the numbers, ie, faster, better fuel economy, more room, so I bought one and drove it for 10 reliable years. But I always wanted the Miata, and a few years ago I sold my motorcycle and bought a used '92 Miata as a second car. Everytime I drove it I thought what those 10 years would have been like if I had chosen with my heart instead of my calculator.

 

yes, 4wd

As to the other factors. Auto journalists test cars ALL THE TIME. People read the reviews and make up their own minds.

C&D tends to bash their cars more ... dump the clutch
R&T seems to be more conservative as their times are usually slower.

Its all moot anyway ... they test compare cars between cars, lay out the data points, R&T even tells you how to do the exact same test for you car.

If you dont want to believe their results, well it is America. But when ppl here scream "Wheres the Dyno Sheet?" well this is the same thing. ... Independent testing from ppl with NO vested interest.

 

HALLELUAH!!! Can I get an AMEN up in here!!! Both the Scion TC and the VW Rabbit were faster and cheaper than my MC. I went with my heart and I haven't regretted it one day since

 

Dont worry chow im not here to crunch numbers. I was just curious. I've already stated what i thought previously on post #29

However the all-wheel drive probably plays a big factor in the rav4's acceloration. Where as the MCS is subject to wheel spin.

 

If you can't get the power to the ground, it means nothing

(Anon.)

 

Your getting EXCELLENT mileage for a V6!!!!

So is it quick?

How do you like it so far? You say your pleased. Its not a sports car but you can haul the family and a load of wood from Home Depot ... I got the older model so its not as long.

 

I know! We've been pleasently pleased and surprised with the mileage.

Yep, we like it. My wife and kids more than I. It took me a long while to kinda sorta bond with it... After hauling paving stones and bags of Quickcrete in it, instead of several trips in the 2" lowered Acoord, it has proved it's worth.

The kids love the DVD system and 110v outlet for their gaming systems and whatnot. Add in the extra space, better long trip ride and comfort, and the wife and I like the silent kids.

Where's that "Generation Gap" thread!? Back in my day...

 

the Mini is way more fun to drive...jsut buy both! one for the trips to the hardware store and one for the weekend!

 

Chow.. My son and daughter-in-law recently purchased the V6 RAV-4 AWD.
This SUV is awesome.. fast, comfy and roomy. It handles like a sports car.. The feedback from the steering wheel and its response have to be tried to be believed.
It also comes with toyotas reliability... Out of the hole.. this thing is amazingly fast.. AWD locks in until 20 mph so you have no wheel spin.. you just get nailed in the seat. The engine and tranny are so perfect together...
But... I can't stand looking at it... it fugly. The interior is also too angular and weird... just like the mini in many ways...

 

This reminded me of a report I ran across the other day, looks like Toyota's quality is slipping and recalls are very high:

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news0...a_quality.html

 

Anyone else or is it just me that sees the irony in the MINI Traveler?

 

But here is the difference ...

Toyota has recognized this and is determined to fix it. They have dropped to #2 in reliability to Honda.

So, for example, instead of RUSHING out a new car or model, they have held back until the get it right.
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news0...lla_delay.html

That is what a top quality auto maker does ...
hmm.... what does MINI do? They don't even address their "quality" issues