While I agree that the exterior styling on both leaves a lot to be desired, however, the second part of your comment makes no sense.

Either car will put a serious hurt on an MCS at the track and will beat it in every measurable performance test. The Evo and the STi both put up numbers in the same strata as the Cayman S and the Elise/Exige in terms of most track times (drivers being equal).

I've tracked both cars, and within the fourth track day in the Evo I was bettering my best MCS lap times - and I had a very, very modded MCS.

Speaking of the Elise/Exige, I was contemplating buying one - until I test drove them. Yes the handling is exquisite, yes the car is visceral, but I don't know, the car got old during the test drive..........

How about a used S2000? Decent mileage, available hardtop, a blast to drive, reliable, etc, etc.

Or a used G35 coupe? You could put some dubs on it and look like all the other ballers who own one...........

 

No doubt they'll but some hurt, but las tt ime I was at the track you could always tell when the subies group was out as they were SquuuEEEEAAAAAALLLLLing around the corners it was humorous and scary fast but I'm more the type who likes to see very economical laps. These guys were doing 4 wheel drifts around a hot dry track about 20 mph fasrter
Snow makes it a no no

 

Without mods the STis tend to understeer like fat, oily pigs.

How about a used IS300? Or a used TL? The newer gen has 270 hp and a used one can be had for well under 30K.

 

Got to do some research. I think at the very least this is an excuse for some fun test drives. but the concept is still something I'm haivng issues getting my head around. I'm still driving my dream car right now, everything else still has trouble equating it, but it kills me to have her sitting in the garage

 

Just get a new MINI. It sounds like yours has been less reliable than average. I don't know what year it is, but if the warranty is almost up, and there are lots of problems, and you love the car, get a new one. There is nothing like a MINI!

 

motor on - you said "fun factor like the MINI"....
umm.... i don't think you're going to find one unless you get another MINI.
thats the only reason why ive kept this car so long.

also, if i were in your shoes i would shy away from FR cars if you only
plan to own one car in our town. although driveable with snow tires, it
can still get pretty messy. it's been almost snowless this winter but
typically we would see snow like we saw 12/1 more often.

also, if you live at an apartment having an extra set of tires can be a
hassle if you dont have storage... so, realistically it will probably need
to be something like a "cereal box" if you want to stay in the game while
you still manage to live within your resources. funny you call them a
cereal box when your car is shaped more like a box.

aint life a biotch? only you can make your life better.

perhaps you want to join me checkout the dub later on this week or next?
i plan to buy mine if i decide, but they have some nice lease offers on the
table.

 

WOW! Motor is about to join the darkside

Well, here is some data. I understand ... snow, hardtop, $30K ...

First, I would try to be a bit more flexible, somehow or another beg, borrow another $5K. Once you hit $35K, some options open up.

MR2 ... Snow is NOT an issue. We had a 88 AND a 91 Turbo at the exact same time, Both RWD, both in the winter ... and that was back when it actually snowed in the winter here Not like now ... haven't seen snow in three years. Wife and I both drove those cars w/o snows or all-season ... and yeah, risked getting a ticket for that but never had an issue. Then again, if it were a major storm, we didn't go out. I would just buy a set of snow tires for Chicago.

To get real here ... you know very well if you really dont have to worry about the car, your going to have to go Toyota .... Honda above anything else.

Some other suggestions. G35, IS250, anything like that is going to feel like boat coming out of the MINI. Probably not for you.

MazdaSpeed3 is well regarded. Already has parts in it that the new MINI will finally have like direct injection 263 HP Turbo

With pricing starting in the low-$20K range, the 2007 Mazda Mazdaspeed 3 is an intriguing choice for a performance car. Compared to the Honda Civic Si sedan and four-door Volkswagen GTI hatchback, the 3 provides better performance for about the same price. Alternately, one can view the Mazdaspeed 3 as a fully viable and less expensive competitor to small sport sedans like the Subaru WRX and Mitsubishi Evolution.

Acceleration is exhilarating, with the 0-60-mph sprint taking just 5.9 seconds

Fling the Mazdaspeed 3 down a ribbon of road filled with sweeping bends and you'll find it carrying almost as much speed as an Evo or WRX STI -- provided that ribbon is smooth.

edmunds.com

Also read http://www.edmunds.com/apps/vdpconta...2/article.html

[MINIs] Its 0.78g skid-pad performance and 64.9-mph slalom speed are completely unimpressive in this group, and the car had the longest stopping distance at 131 feet and the slowest lap time at 1:38.05.

Doesn't really matter how you spin it, the Mazdaspeed 3's performance is unmatched in virtually every category.

06 MCS came in 4th Mazda 1st.

No contest

I was going to say save $5K and pick up an 05 Elise for $33 - 35K but this car looks very impressive.

Hell .. 5.9 car (DAMNNN, thats ALMOST as fast as my RAV4!!!! ) out the door WAY under 30K. FASTER than a JCW

What more do you want?

hmm, that really does look interesting. First time I read about it in detail.

 

My '05 MCS has not required a single repair in the 22 months since I got it. The car has been rock solid reliable. Only maintenance so far has been oil changes and tire rotations.

Too bad your experience hasn't been the same. It seems to me the new Civic Si sedan is a pretty good car and for $23K and change (Including NAV system) is a pretty solid value.

 

i suppose it really depends on your car. my MCS has been great for the
most part. not 100% problem-free, but acceptable.

 

Well, my MCS is mechanically bone stock, so maybe that plays a part in its solid reliability record.

Man, my car will be 2 years old in March...times flies!!

 

my car's basically bone stock too... the problem im having is
related to the a/c and i haven't touched anything on that.

no a/c booster pulley's or twin charging the fan or anything...