I'm ordering my mini tomorrow. But before I go to the dealer, a few questions. Is the base model quick or is it doggy? I have a 99 honda accord coupe with the 4 cyl and I really feel it's underpowered. I want something fast and fun. I test drove an s and loved it, but should I consider the base? I really like the pepper white with black top look. That color isn't available on the s. Also, is the premium package worth it? I've had a couple of cars, (78 rabbit, 93 civic si hatch) with sun or moon roofs and I definitely dug it. Oh, and my wife says I'm joining a cult, but.... what are you gonna do?

So many mini's, so little time.

Buy the S

That's it

No competition from any other MINI or any other car

_________________
I can't wait

In YOUR opinion.......

Ah, but I am right

I did drive the Cooper and it's a beautiful car, but I had the original 1275 S and the new S is just so much like it for the fun factor.

Plus I like the Getrag gearing and that beautiful SC whine.....

Each to their own -all MINIs are fantastic

color is a concern when deciding whether to s or not. the interior is, too. i really like that bumpy leather but it isn't an option in the s (because of the sport seats i guess). conversely, the centered, twin beer can tailpipes can't go on the non-s.

also maintenance. there have been a number of posts in the mechanical forum about blowers gone bad. i think that comes with the territory, though, and definitely covered by warranty.

my wife wants the automatic transmission, but i am going to get her professional driving lessons instead (happy birthday, honey).

i don't think the non-s will be doggy unless you and your passenger are overweight (no offense). if it is too sluggish for your taste, i am sure some aftermarket mods could wake up the engine for you. i have seen mods that double the hp with no engine mods and quadruple it if you want to tear into the engine (although the latter were for the s).

Well, Rose,r we are all allowed our opinions.....but I still don't think yours is right.....

Anyway....I LOVE my Cooper! The main reason I got the Cooper was because I like the body style better....I am one of those people that is not a fan of the bonnet intake....no offense to S owners...it just isn't for lil' old me! :smile:

Do whatever you want, within your budget.
Personally, I like the hood on the MC vs the S, the power is fine for my needs, so I could not see paying more for something I would not appreciate. I could see color becoming a consideration though.
Good luck.

I have an S and love it, nothing like going down the highway in 6th gear at 85 and then downshifting and being at 95 in no time flat blowing by the slower drivers. Great fun!

If speed isn't that important get the Cooper, you can always add some upgrades later that would increase the HP and you would get the color you would want plus save a couple of thousand.

Just remember, you can't go wrong with any Mini.

fair enough then

I have a 01' Jetta 1.6l Turbo - wolfsburg. It's a great car..fun to drive.

Living in the sticks the nearest dealer is 200 miles..just wondering if you you or anyone did any comparison. Can you give me feedback?

My cost in 01 was 21k -- sports package, heated seats, Monsoon stereo, basic interier, but 100000/10yr drive train/engine warrenty.

How's the cooper 'S' compare?

Personally, I would've wanted the S, but I was paying cash, and I didn't have the extra $3k. However, with that said, I have not been let down by the Cooper! I loved it the way it drove off the lot, but with the addition of a high-flow intake and competition ignition wires, it adds quite a bit of pep. It's still no match for the S, but it's got enough for me.

I also agree with L.Mini in saying that I prefer the Cooper body style. I don't mind the hood scoop, but the lack of chrome on the grill and bumpers takes some of the original Mini's spirit away. Plus, you can add the chrome side grills and the S type gas cap to a MINI, and you have all the good elements of the S style on your Cooper.

Ultimately, it's your choice, but I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss the Cooper, unless speed in your top priority. Both look great and handle well.

Jason

I have to agree with L. MINI on this one....I'm not a big fan of the bonnet on the S... sorry S owners...don't take it personally. I'm completely in love with my Cooper. Besides...stick shift cars aren't very practical for a city known for it's huge hills and endless traffic (Pittsburgh). Just my two cents. Whichever way you go, you will love owning a MINI!!!

Think you should get the "S". I don't care for their bonnet styling much, and it seems they only come in silver with black tops. I know that's not true but silver and black seem to be the most common colos for "S"'s.

You sound as if spped is very important to you. If that's true, only the "S" will do. I have a Cooper with another Cooper on the way. They are fast enough for me. By the way, the one on the way is none other than Pepper WHite with Black. My wife loves that combination and I do too. Mine is INdi Blue. Another great color.

Aside from the $3,000 price difference, I think the Cooper just looks better than the S. I don't like the rear spoiler on the S. I think the chrome grill on the Cooper is more attractive than the painted one on the S. And the alloy patina trim on the S doesn't do anything for me. (The hood scoop IS cool, though, I have to admit).

I am with KPiglet too......I live in Baltimore City and the traffic here during rush hours is HORRENDOUS.....so I got the CVT and every morning when I am in gridlock I am thrilled that I did.

Vincenzo....I am also not nuts about the S spoiler....it is a little big for my liking.....I did put a spoiler on my Cooper but it is alot shorter and doesn't flip up so much....I really enjoy the effect!
_________________
Pure Silver/Black Cooper.....premium package, sport seats, fog lights, spoiler, 16" 5-spoke wheels....I would MUCH rather be MOTORING! :smile:

I think Spoilers are just that....they spoil the car (any car). And are not worth the cost.

But, I *think* the S only comes in a manual, right?
I'm going to get the automatic (CVS I think it's called.)

What I'm pondering is the sunroof issue. From the Mini site, it seems
it's all glass and so you always have the sun shining on you, even when
it's closed?

Seems a bit hot for those of us who live in hot areas to always have a window
over your head.

Thus, I'm following all the Pro and Con threads on all the features etc. to be a wise buyer.

Yes, the S only comes in 6-spd manual. The 1 speed auto (CVS) is only available on the Cooper.

I liove in Las Vegas and didn't seriously consider the sunroof for a minute. They are tinted glass and have a nylon mesh spring-loaded thingy to help keep the sun out. Way too much light/heat allowed in for the southwest region.

Motor on.

>>color is a concern when deciding whether to s or not. the interior is, too. i really like that bumpy leather but it isn't an option in the s (because of the sport seats i guess). conversely, the centered, twin beer can tailpipes can't go on the non-s.
>>
The profile leather is available in sport seats, just not in the S. I have sport seats in my packages and I ordered leather too. :smile:

>>color is a concern when deciding whether to s or not. the interior is, too. i really like that bumpy leather but it isn't an option in the s (because of the sport seats i guess). conversely, the centered, twin beer can tailpipes can't go on the non-s.
>>
The profile leather is available in sport seats, just not in the S. I have sport seats in my packages and I ordered leather too. :smile: I didn't really see a noticable difference between the Cooper and the Cooper S in handle. Just one more gear to shift. IMO Didn't seem worth the money for something I didn't notice. Although since I ordered it I have noticed a prestige thing..."oh you only got a Cooper?" Sort of a snobby rival thing or something.

Deering, I'm noticing the prestige thing as well. Not from any MINI owners I've actually run into mind you. I've only seen three others, but from some of the posters on this board and even on this particular thread. As a Cooper owner, I feel that I'm being looked down upon for not having purchased the S. I'm not entering a rally on weekends. I have on my Cooper exactly what I want. Sure I like speed (I've gotten two tickets since I bought it). But speed is not what this car is all about. Sure, the heritage of the MINI as a rally car is there, but I'm sure that is not the reason many are shelling out 20+ grand just to say they own a race car. So S owners out there who think less of us Cooper owners because yours has a little more horsepower, wake your juvenile ***** up and realize that indeed while the S has it's advantages over the Cooper, the Cooper has a couple of attributes that the S does not.

As Bill Murray says in the movie "Stripes", "The one thing we all have in common, is that we were all stupid enough to join the army." The one thing we MINI owners all have in common is that we were all smart enough to buy a MINI, whether it is an S or not.

Hasn't this MC vs MCS topic been banned yet? Geesh, every few weeks it seems to pop up, and it could not be any more pointless....

Rocketboy_X

Re: "but from some of the posters on this board and even on this particular thread. As a Cooper owner, I feel that I'm being looked down upon for not having purchased the S."


Chef,

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

From reading other posts on another car forum those who want so much speed are getting into trouble. They have tickets (raising their insurance rates), they are getting into accidents. In a few cases ending up in the hospital. God I hope I don't run into any of them when I'm on the roads while they speed around thinking they are in the Indy 500!

Speeding is for racetracks!

Just because a car can go 120mph doesn't mean you should be driving like that.

Really, do *most* people really buy SUVs to drive through mountains and mud? Intelligent people drive their cars safely regardless of the car's potential.

Automatics costs more money also. But, do those of us who buy them go around calling all others who purchase manuals "cheapies?" No!

Let's not ruin the happiness of the MINI by starting a Transmission Segregation on this forum too. Geez! Enough already! :???:

I'm with you Brownielocks. Both have their merits. Both make everyone smile. :evil:

each to their own....I owned the mcs and if I was buying another one today I would buy the mc without the sport suspension (tests on the track with the sport suspension showed it was almost insignificantly quicker) and without the runflats because the ride is significantly better for everyday driving...test on the track also showed the mc quicker than the msc through the cones because of it's weight advantage (my msc did feel a little heavy at times to throw around corners compared to the mc), plus I like the option of a spare instead of run flats for longer trips, plus the runflats I had on the msc were especially harsh because of the firmer side walls...just my opinion, but also like the looks of the mc better without the hood scoop or the rear spoiler or silver gas gap.....only option would be the leather seats even though the design is very poor and needs upgrading as both myself and wife had terrible back aches on drives longer than 2 hours and I could never get the right adjustment (I think the lumbar support is badly designed)...the MCS is quicker in sraight lines once they both get over 3000 rpms, but not as significant as you would think because of the s label....50 extra hp but almost 200 lbs heavier, so guess the weight negates the extra hp....have a friend with a mc that had the superchips ecu tuning and his mc feels significantly quicker than my mcs was, especially off the line and low end torgue...so I'd save the $3k and spend the $300 on the ecu tune and have a softer ride that is quicker and is virtually the same through the corners......just my 2 cents....but of course if they come out with a 250 hp mcs then all bets are off on the mc, laugh! Just saw an article on the new 300 hp 4 cyclinder focus and the new 290 hp gti coming in the next year....amazing for 4 bangers....cheers

Wow.....for once I am actually in agreement with some of the things that Nolan said.....