Anybody have impressions of other cars if one did not want to wait up to a year to get a Cooper S? Obviously nothing is going to look as unique as the Cooper/Cooper S. I am ready to get rid of my SUV and get a sports car. Options I have thought about are the Acura RSX Type S and the VW Turbo S. The new 350Z could also be a possiblity but its a little on the top end for price.

I guess I could wait through the winter for the S. But just exploring options...

Ford Focus SVT (170HP) is another option as well as VW GTI 1.8T or VR6. These cars are readily available at dealerships but none is in the same league of the MINI Cooper.

Good things come to those who wait.......

a

I've been a VW loyalist for 14 years, but after having to Lemon Law my '99 Jetta VR6 and having two other friends do the same (and I don't have that many friends) that would tell you something about VW. As far as Ford goes. My father-in-law owns part of a ford dealership and I think he even knows that the Focus is nothing but trouble. For some weird reason both cars keep selling like crazy. It's kind of like Starbucks coffee. Think about it people, they started their company by buying overcooked beans from coffee makers. Not good coffee, but everybody buys it.

As for the Nissan. I have an Infiniti (trumped up nissan) which is great, but as I posted in another forum...there is no soul.

Just my opinions, for what they're worth.

Best,

J.

I have looked at the Focus and GTI VR6. I wish they looked better. To me they do not look anything special. The RSX Type S looks pretty good, next in line is the beetle Turbo S, but I can't get over the girly image.

The 350Z is really good looking, but I bet there will be a wait just like the Cooper... I guess I should just calm down and wait :???:

Kenny, you shouldn't have to wait a year. There are Cooper S's sitting on lots across the country that aren't spoken for. You may have to pay a small markup fee for dealer ad-ons, but you'd be driving away in it the same day. Just contact dealers in your area and find out if any pre-spec cars coming in have what you want in your desired color combo. There is NO substitute for the MINI!

I'd have to go w/a WRX as my second choice... there's just not much out there that strikes my fancy... Or maybe a Silverwing scooter... that'd be cool...

Rocketboy_X

As I was out looking at the MINI at the dealership for the 112th time. I happend apon a BMW dealership. As stopping in as I like to do to play with all the nice toys, I proceded to look at the Z3 to get the scoop on it vs the MINI. and what happend to be right next to the Z3 but a nice and shiney M sport coup. Well I proceded to talk the sales men in to a test drive. OMG that car has got some *****. dont get me wrong now, im still getting my MINI. I could buy 3 MINI's for the price of the M. But the raw power of a car the size and weight of a MINI with a V-6 that has over 300 hp, and could take a VETTE off the line.

>>I'd have to go w/a WRX as my second choice... there's just not much out there that strikes my fancy... Or maybe a Silverwing scooter... that'd be cool...
>>
>>Rocketboy_X
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I'm with you on the WRX. I was so close to buying one earlier in the summer until I test drove the MCS. THat chagned everything!
Now I'm thinking maybe the WRX wagon (still with 5-speed of course) as a third car down the road if we have another kid....

The WRX is a great car. Not as cool as the MCS but it has a lot of *****, and handles really well. It looks cooler in the sport hatchback configuration.

I also heard that there won't be a wait for the 350Z because they have ramped up production to make a ton of them.

The new 350Z is nice, and at about 30K, it is probably a good deal. It just doesn't have the uniqueness of the Mini, though. Short of a Porsche Boxster, there is nothing out there that I want right now besides the Mini.

Jay :smile: :smile: :smile:

I suppose it all depends on what you're looking for. If you are just interested in the MINI for the look, then a New Beetle or PT Cruiser would be right up your alley.

However if you are into the MINI for the driving experience there are not too many other cars that I would qualify as direct competitors or at least "related" cars.

The New Beetle Turbo S is not a sports car. It's a very fast Golf but it's not a sports car. The GTI is similar, it's quite quick but it's not a sports car. Don't get me wrong, I like the Golf and GTI a lot but they differ quite a bit in purpose from the MINI.

The Focus SVT is probably the most direct competitor to the MINI as far as handling. However it is relatively rare and so may be hard to find. I personally am not a fan of the Focus but I do give the SVT team props for turning the car into something that can really go. The magazine reviewers have all given the SVT Focus good marks.

The Acura RSX has been floated as an option, but I don't know enough about them to comment, haven't driven one.

I am really digging the Nissan 350Z but it is a bit pricier than the MINI. From what I've heard and read it's quite the sports car but the top of the line Track model comes out around $34K.

The Subaru WRX is probably a more realistic option. 227hp in that small package. From what I've heard it's a good ride and worth considering. I am not feeling it personally but it's not a bad car at all when looked at objectively.

Also consider the upcoming Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII but again, you have to wait for that one :smile:

I do think we are in a pretty good time for cars. There are some really interesting and promising cars either out now or coming out soon. Kind of a miniature golden age :smile:

Brecht Mini in San Diego has over 20 Minis on the lot for sale, for immediate deivery. The catch? "Market adjustment" price on top of dealer add ons, though they are "negotiable" on this. I'm going up today hoping to drive home today in an "S", been up twice for tests drives, I'll let you know how it goes.

Thats my problem. I am not willing to pay anything but MSRP. So I guess since I am cheap I will have to wait. The dealers who are making profit over MSRP won't get my business, yet I also won't have a mini for a long time...

Buy another car? That's an option? Not for a MINI obsessed fan of the car it isn't. If you must I'd go with a BMW, M5. Can't afford it, neither can I that’s why I would settle for a 530i. Although, the M3 convertible is nice. Brother has that one and it is fun!

Another dealership that has MINI's occasionally is MINI of Concord. No special packages but they do charge over MSRP. The cars don’t stay long on the lot and I’m not sure where you are located. If outside of California you probably won’t like the dealer prep charges etc.

An idea to explore while you endure the long wait ....

A Vespa !

European (Italian) classic styling with lots of funky youthful appeal.

The wind in your hair, panache, great handling and head turning capabilities wherever you go; the qualities that MINI fans appreciate.

You want retro ? THIS is retro.

http://www.vespausa.com

Zoom, zoom, zoom !



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Wandersennullwww.vespausa.com

I'm totally into my MINI and can't see any of the cars previously mentioned (except maybe the BMW M3 Convert) as being acceptable substitutes for a MINI. WHile most are indeed good cars im most people's opionion, they are still just cars.

As every MINI owner knows, MINI IS NOT JUST A CAR.

Why not do as others have done? Find a MINI at a deralership somewhere in North America and get a one-way ticket. I didn't do this, but it sounds like great fun.

Good luck in your search.

I was set on buying a Subaru WRX wagon when I saw the MINI.

And that was all she wrote.

Now I'm going nuts waiting for my baby to arrive

(Dark silver/black MCS w/lapis blue & black interior, DSC, fog lights, 5-star rims. Production date 09/27)

>>A Vespa !
>>

I was all about the Vespa untill I saw one of these puppies...
Honda Silverwing

A scooter, that looks like a sportbike from the front and can take 300lbs of weight at 70mph, no problem? Sign me up

Rocketboy_X

>>An idea to explore while you endure the long wait ....
>>
>>A Vespa !
>>
>>European (Italian) classic styling with lots of funky youthful appeal.
>>
>>The wind in your hair, panache, great handling and head turning capabilities wherever you go; the qualities that MINI fans appreciate.
>>
>>You want retro ? THIS is retro.
>>
>>http://www.vespausa.com
>>
>>Zoom, zoom, zoom !
>>


>>

I'm a firm supporter of going for your dreams and not "settling" for a quick fix.

I ordered my Miata as I wanted it and didn't get one on the lot just to have a Miata that day. Although some claim I overpaid (actually I got lied to about some charges but that's another story...) -- I have never been sorry for waiting for what I really really wanted and finally got.

The car sale transaction lasts what...90 minutes? The car ownership is a relationship that hopefully will last years.

Isn't it worth waiting a bit to have your dream come true?

I'll probably order my MINI as I want it too and not take what's on the lot. Ha! Are there any on the lots anyway?

Just my 2 cents.

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<A HREF="http://www.brownielocks.com"><IMG SRC="http://www.brownielocks.com/anim_fil...tton.gif" WIDTH=88 HEIGHT=31>

I'm struggling...MINI Cooper vs. Mazda PR5. The PR5 is so much more practical (roadside assistance AND loaner program, dealership close by, 0% financing for 48mo., proven reliability) I know I'll regret not getting the MINI though--the kid in me wants it bad!

>>Thats my problem. I am not willing to pay anything but MSRP. So I guess since I am cheap I will have to wait. The dealers who are making profit over MSRP won't get my business, yet I also won't have a mini for a long time...

>>>>If I could give you my $.02 on paying the price of not waiting. I paid 2k over MSRP for my MINI for several reasons. First, I had the chance to sell the car I had at the time, rather than wait 7 mos. for the lease to run. The cost difference on the two cars for insurance, gas, payments etc. was such that over those 7 mos I was saving about $2500 by getting the MINI, so even paying 2k over sticker I was $500 ahead of the game overall. Also, quite simply in my view MSRP is only the suggested price. That's what the S stands for. I've bought many cars, as have we all for well under MSRP. Sometimes you win sometimes you lose, so to speak. I also think that rather than looking at the sticker, I looked at the value of the car. By my assessment, I could have bought a GTI and it was a little more than what I paid for the MINI (even over sticker) I looked at a Mustang, WRX and 325, all much more than the MINI and I thought the Mini was the better car so in relative terms it was a good price. Also, I financed the car for 5 years so over that finance period, spreading out that extra 2k, that's about $33 a month to get the car I really wanted and to get it without any wait. I suppose I was also fortunate that a dealer had the exact car I would have ordered. I also think that many dealers have been required to lay out so much money for facility upgrade, etc to carry the MINI line that they are forced to charge this extra, plus there is just the simple supply and demand thing, capitalism and all that good stuff. Bottom line, I paid 22k for my car including addons I selected and I think the car was worth that price, regardless of what the sticker said and as to the sticker, I think BMW simply set it too low to purposely stir up a demand/frenzy so I would again suggest that you need to consider what the true value is. Also, BMW is coming out with a 1 series which they need to market between the MINI and the 3 series and so, again, they've set this artificial price and kept production low to create the "over Msrp" market situation that they can blame dealers for, rather than themselves. I say don't get hung up on the MSRP, look at the true value, what the real cost to you will be over time and as to what car you really want. For the 2k extra I spent, I'd be kicking myself now if I'd not done that and got something other than the MINI. It is a GREAT car.

RJSquirrel,

Thanks for the words of wisdom. They do make sense. I also have to talk myself into financing... Waiting the amount of time to place my order will probably make it so I don't have to finance. But, the dealer is suppose to call me when they get spec cars in, if one comes in and I can talk someone :smile: in to letting me get the car I may just get one that is not exactly the special order that I want.

I should just stop surfing all the Mini sites :smile:. That way I can stand the wait...