Well.....now 1 year with MCS and over 21K miles......certainly been a love/hate relationship.....love the handling, styling, fun factor in daily commutes around the city.....hate the less than steller build quality (rattles, plastic), lack of low end torque, design of the sport seats and for the desert heat in Phoenix, the really poor AC, the lack of solid sun screen.....so facing another summer season here in the desert (113 wednesday) have decided to part company with the MCS....fortunately the timing is terrific with the opening of the Italian Job movie.....I"ll wait a few weeks till after the opening today to run an ad to sell it...by then the hype should be at the peak and can probably get another 1K plus retail price.....but having to replace, so many new cars to drive....I do want to drive the new RX8, but still not available here in Phoenix yet, but interestingly like the MCS also has no spare tire, but Mazda made the wise decision not to go with the dreadful runflats, instead they include fix/flat and their roadside service......just helped my son purchase a used 2001 Jetta 1.8T with 13K miles....damn, had never driven one before but a very nice car IMO...the AC is awesome...lol....certainly doesn't handle like my MCS, but I was surprised how much quicker it was and the seats were to die for compared to the sport seats in my MCS......would love to revist the MCS again down the road with the Puegot engine and ongoing improvements.....don't get me wrong, an incredibly fun car with huge grin factor and a car I'm glad I experienced for a year especially considering the still strong resale factor. I owned the original mini in the mid 70's for a brief time and it also was a very fun car...so the purchase of the new mini for me was probably more about nostalgia than practicality......

 

get the infiniti g35, no question, hands down :smile:

 

well aint that a pooper...

i recommend H2 for you :smile:

 

Did you go to the IJ showing last night with the folks from MINI North Scottsdale?

 

Miniblues,

I'm sure you're correct in the idea that you'll get good dollar for your MCS. It'd even be better if the MINI was featured in the new 2F2F movie. Then, I'm sure you could get 5K + retail back for the MCS.

Dominic

 

"".....hate the less than steller build quality (rattles, plastic), lack of low end torque, design of the sport seats and for the desert heat in Phoenix, the really poor AC, the lack of solid sun screen""

Gee...you should have taken it for it test drive before you bought it.
It is not a luxury car. Basic transportation and fun. 25K won't get much
these days.
I'd go for a Jetta though but be prepared for less than stellar build quality
and get white w/o a sunroof.

 

So sorry the MINI is not what you expected :smile:


Chow!


Donna

 

Sorry to see you leave the tribe. If its build quality and performance you like (and cold a/c) may I suggest a VW GTI. Especially the R32 when it becomes available

 

***i recommend H2 for you
No rattles, great AC, perfect for the desert***

don't think I will gravitate toward the H2 since it has lower JD Power satisfaction than the mini....but thanks for the suggestion...lol !

***I'd go for a Jetta though but be prepared for less than stellar build quality
and get white w/o a sunroof***

the jetta was not my choice, my son's, so don't know much about the build quality but was impressed with it the little time I spent driving it...it does have a sliding sun roof, but also has the solid inside cover to close it which I think was an oversight on BMW's part....

Thanks on the tip regarding the new G35....I assume you mean the coupe....nice looking, but surprised the recent auto mag rated the RX8 #1 and the G35 coupe #2 out of the 4 cars they tested....that's why I thought the RX8 might be worth a test drive.....again...love the minis as I have now had both original and new......I'm probably just getting too old to be in the mini demographic any longer, laugh!
And yes, I test drove the mini before buying, but unfortunately not during an entire summer in Ariz...I would definitely not get another mini with a sunroof.....no rattles, less weight and a cooler interior (temp that is).....cheers....

 

forgot to mention in regard to new cars that just came out.....when shopping for a new car last week with my son, we looked at a new Mitsu Lancer, around 16K with standard engine, my son eventually decided on the used Jetta, but the salesman let me test drive the new Lancer Evo since I told him about my MCS......my God, the quickness of this car is mind blowing.....I had a Plymouth Roadrunner with 383 and also a Dodge Charger 440 in my youth, but this car would blow away either of those in a heartbeat......I couldn't get past the looks with the garish real wing (is that wing really necessary for this car, not an aerodynamic expert).....but I've got to tell you, for $25K this car offers a lot as standard...enkei 17" alloys, 13' Brembo Brakes, Recaro Seats, sports suspension, 275 hp, 330 ft lb or torque.....I've driven a lot of cars in my time, but this is a M3 at half the price....my son thought I should trade my MCS on the spot, laugh......anyway, you gotta drive this car, not to buy, but just to experience the outrageous performance, especially at the low rpm accelleration....I have driven my friend's new Z and this Evo would suck the Z up it's tailpipe....just unfrigging believable.....I wouldn't buy one, but this car is going to be a homerun for MItsu and I would think do serious hurt to the WRX.....it doesn't handle as well as the minis certainly, but for the market they are offer, it is certainly impressive, a test drive I doubt I will easily forget...lol !

 

>>"".....hate the less than steller build quality (rattles, plastic), lack of low end torque, design of the sport seats and for the desert heat in Phoenix, the really poor AC, the lack of solid sun screen""
>>
>>Gee...you should have taken it for it test drive before you bought it.
>>It is not a luxury car. Basic transportation and fun. 25K won't get much
>>these days.
>>I'd go for a Jetta though but be prepared for less than stellar build quality
>>and get white w/o a sunroof.
>>

Unfortunately a test drive is a mere snap shot of the car. Most squeaks, rattles and buzzes develop over time, except in my case I had rattles in my MCS driving off the dealer’s lot. As for not expecting more for $25K, I don’t buy it. I bought my daughter a 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer brand new for $12,800 after factory rebate and dealer discounts before I got my MCS and she still has not developed any problems or noises. I can’t say the same for the MCS. Would I rather have a Mitsubishi Lancer over my MCS? NO! I do love the driving experience and style of the MCS. Most of the rattles in my MCS have been well documented on this very forum for months as it was here that I learnt the cure to the problems. I think the manufacturer could do a better job on initial build quality.

 

>>well aint that a pooper...
>>
>>i recommend H2 for you :smile:


yeah, but beware of the H2, lowest of all JDP initial quality survey results, because of .....
drumroll....
poor gas mileage

 

seriously though,

sorry to hear about your MINI blues, miniblues,
maybe you just started with the wrong MCO alias?

I'm sorry the MINI didn't work out for you.
It does have some kinks and quirks, but overall personally I still think it's got the best bang for the buck.
I need AC a lot in TX coastal muggy heat, and it works fine for me. I love the auto AC, and like the sunroof shade.
I think low end torque is to some extent a matter of driving style, and maybe a matter of what you switched over from as a prior car.
Anyway, there certainly are quite a few other fun, cool, well handling cars out there, and it's a matter of finding the right one for you.
I'd also love to have a 350Z just to name one. For me it would not be practical (2 seats only and less luggage space than a MINI, and I also cannot afford it, but I could afford the MINI.
My one complaint is the substandard windshield.
Other than that MINI is a great, great, fantastofabulous car!