A simple question, looking for honest answers ... your feelings on buying a new car.

I really dont care what brand car it may be because the question is generic. The question works for all cars.

You you buy a loaded lower "level" car with all the options you want or buy a "stripped" higher "level" car?

To give examples ... the obvious one is:

Loaded MC or stripped MCS?

Other example ...

• For handling oriented people ... loaded MCS JCW or stripped Elise?
• Loaded Value package Accord or Stripped EX?
• Loaded Ferrari F430 or Stripped 612?
• Loaded Base 350Z or Stripped Grand Touring?

Make up any example your comfortable with. I'm only looking at general feelings of loaded base cars vice stripped, more expensive cars ... in other words, are all the options worth the money or better to get a stripped more expensive car.

 

i would not buy a stripped more expensive car just for the badge. that's
what poor people do leasing a car they can't afford.

get the lower end model with all the bells and whistles and then mod it
a little to make it even better to match your needs. buy the car, not
the badge.

 

I think it's stupid to buy a stripped car by any means.

For example, we got our X5 3.0 with every available option from the factory -- it came out to the price of a 4.4i without many of the options we were looking for.

Since we live in the US, i'd rather go for a bit smaller of an engine and every option I want...If we were in Germany, though...

Edit: forgot to add the most direct example -- my MCS! I was also looking at a 3-series while looking at the MCS. I chose the MCS, however, because every option I was looking for was within my price range (incl Nav, all 4 packages, etc...) while a 325i would be fairly stripped.

I enjoy my MCS MUCH more, as it's just an all around more comfortable car for me. It has everything I want, and nothing I don't want...

 

I did it once - I bought a loaded VW Golf GTi 8v which worked out the same price as the base GTi 16v.

I honestly regretted it every single day I owned it, the 8v motor was so gutless (115hp) compared to the 16v (150hp).

While I had Recaro's and a high-end stereo it simply did not make up for the poor performance.

But then my priorities may not be the same as yours....

 

I agree and I have a Cooper. I would never load up a car with options on purpose. I think basic options are fine but at a certain point the price just begins to skyrocket beyond what the car is worth. A stripped car isn't best either (high lever or base), so I'd be solidly in the middle on this one. Fortunately, by my standards, MINIs come pretty well-appointed so one can get a few select options and be done with it.

 

When I buy a car, I buy it for me not resell. So like JASMCS "nothing I don't want". That said if I have any desire for an option I will get it from the factory not the dealer - no dealer installed options. Usually factory installed options are a better value and more integrated than anything the dealer can offer.

 

Go for the options for sure. The resale is much greater if you plan to resell or if you keep it forever then you will always benefit from the options and ride in style and comfort. I have an MC with the options that I wanted. I would have liked to have had an MCS but it was not something that I needed. I could not be happier with my choice.

 

I'm a big fan of the stripped out performace model.

I will never be able to justify buying useless options like Nav, leather seats or a sunroof.

Unfortunatly, most new cars, at least for the USDM, are by no means stripped.

Power windwows and locks, A/C, CD players, etc, etc are all standard. I'm not to keen on that. In Japan and some European contries, you can still get a car with manual steering, no A/C, crank windows and manual locks, and get a cassette deck and a 2 speaker radio to boot!

If the MINI's were offered as base models, with no AC, a Cassette deck, Manual rack, and some crank windows, I bet you could get an S for under 18k out the door.

 

I hear on the newer daihatsu's the steering wheel and tires are all options. It only comes with the metal frame and some bolts.

 

Calling the Daihatsu a car is an option!

 

I don't think the premise applies to all cars. The Cooper and Cooper S are very different cars. I have a pretty plush S convertible because I wanted a fast car but I want my wife to go with me too. Otherwise I'd go for fewer luxury options and more sportiness. The idea works with GM, a loaded Chevrolet or a stock Buick . . . I'd go with the loaded Chevrolet.

Choosing between an S and a Lotus isn't a matter of degree (unless you are talking about a stripped coupe with lots of your own mods, or a Lotus). I'd love a Lotus and could have had one for 10 grand more . . . but I couldn't use the Lotus as a daily commuter without having serious mental abberations. I couldn't carry the absolute minimum of what my wife requires on trips . . . and I couldn't keep below 120.

 

For me Stripped or Loaded depends on what plans you have for the car after the purchase. Currently i've own 2 MCS one fully loaded and one stripped with only extra's being Fog lights and Air con. At first the Fully loaded one was great until i got the MOD bug. Short time later i was in an Acident and totaled the car. When i went to get the next MINI I got the stripped version. Simply because I was going to change just about every part on the car. New rims, seats, stereo, speakers, suspension and engine componts. So there was no point in getting them from the factory if i was plan on changing them any way.

On the other hand I also own a 1987 Jetta (8v) Fully loaded (for its time). Which has remain stock the whole time and i wouldnt change a thing.

So basic if I'm buying the car as a cruiser it would be a FULLY loaded car. Simply because having the extra'a are great on trips, But Performance wise would be the Stripped better handling car since i know i will be replacing things down the road.

I'm Currently looking at the http://www.zapworld.com/ZAPWorld.aspx?id=310 Obvio 012 for my next Performance based car. Why you may ask. Simply because I like being different. which is why i wanted to buy the MINI when it first came out. That and with a spec sheet of 1600 lbs and 250 HP looks good to me as a stock figure.

 

 

I've never been a big fan of whiz-bang doodads and gadgets in cars, especially when they cost a lot of money. Choosing a model always comes down to value for money for me. I value performance, comfort, and drivability more than I do GPS navigation systems and fancy cosmetic stuff.

 

On my MCS I don't have nav because I wanted the large speedo in the center. I'm glad I went this route. I can use my bb for nav anyway.

 

The comparison between a loaded MCS and Stripped Elise is very valid. There are lots of cars here where people admitted to spending as much as 50K for a MINI

For $44K you can get a brand new Elise. In fact, for low 30s you can get a 2005 Elise.

Its a valid comparison. Of course, if you need some luggage space, that might be an issue

 

I agree completely & couldn't have said it better myself.

 

But a thought.

Just take the MC/MCS

If you value performance are you saying you would rather have the stripped MCS instead of the loaded MC?

 

Yup.

 

I agree completely & couldn't have said it better myself.

 

Hmmm lets see I got a basic MCS (Few options I wouldn't have got the car without, and lack of options that I wouldn't have got the car if it had it i.e. Nav); and I like Max don't think any of the otopions out there could have made up for the 40hp differance. My last car was slightly less powered than an MC and significatly lighter, the lack of HP made for some extremely close calls some times. So there obvious comparison out of the way.

Loaded Elise or stripped Exige; I'll take the latter hands down.

Loaded M3 or a stripped down 5-series, I'll take the M3

Loaded Vette or a bare bones Z06, for the street car I'd take the loaded Vette.

Loaded Solctice or a Stripped down Sky; wait nevermind they're the same car.

I like preformance I like reliability (apparently many think that is a contradiction in terms) I like comfort and I like proper cosmetics. I like to think I've found a spectaculr car with the MINI and I'm just making a dozen tiny mods here and there to take it from a great car to a perfect car. Given it is a car that I'm going to drive 500 miles a week; then take to the track or out on a run on my days off. And I've grown comfortable with the fact that I won't be going to the track to race either; just unwind and enjoy driving quickly and picking up new skills. So I don't need a high strung beast thats breaking down all the time (I get hat stock and low strung as it is) nor do I really have the slightesy inkling for tons of crome or leather or a fancy Stereo or Nav (I will eventually make a mount fo rhte laptop though) or even back seats; and I don't need to go pulling out carpet dash and A/C either. So I'm making it into everything I want it to be and nothing I don't want it to be.

 

Interesting choice but whoa ...

Loaded M3 or stripped down 5 series is not part of the question. They are different cars.

It would be loaded 335i or stripped M3 (depending upon the price of the M3 which might be well into 80K range and then not a good comparison

Or better yet. Loaded 5 series vice stripped M5. That would be a good comparison.

Loaded Elise vs Exige is good.

Loaded C6 vs Stripped Z06 is also a good comparison

 

 

About the same as comparing a MCS to a Loti IMO.
HA! That was almost tounge in cheek! Loaded Elise is what, power windows/locks and Carpet? I'd easily do without those

 

yeah, bad comparison on my part on the MCS vs Elise

Loaded Elise? You would be surprise since I was seriously looking at them for a month and checking out the options to buy.

I forget all the names but:


upgraded interior seats
Track pack
Touring Pack
Upgraded stereo
Sport suspension
hard top
Driving lights
Stage II exhaust (forget the stage I)
Leather interior
All those cool colors are like $1200

Then there are dealer options like Lambo roof!

You can easily add $10k to the base car and be the same as a stripped Exige!