I have had an MX-5 and I don't fit too well ( 6 ft 250lbs) plus I have a son and though its only he and I, I still need SOME cargo capacity.

Insofar as color choices, the MS3 doesn't bother me since it comes in the two colors I like in the MINI, black and white. I think it looks good, NOT like a Minivan though the front is quite blah..

I do agree that if $$ is no object then the Cooper convertible is ideal. it has some storage and it comes in the colors I can enjoy and it IS a beautiful car.

I do wonder about durability, reliability ( no one has convinced me its on par with the Japanese) and value since its anywhere from 5-7K more than a MS3.

And I wonder if I really need 263HP and 280 lb feet of torque.. I drove them a couple of times and its downright scary! Will it get old?

gas mileage is a concern but I don't think they are that far apart unless you really get into the turbo aspect of the MS3. That being said, i am sure that if I put my foot into it on the Cooper S, I am sure it will drink fuel like a sieve as well.

very very tough choice..

hell, If I could I would get both!

 

And I DO agree... well said Goat.. given me something to ponder

 

man, some of you are really hardcore about MINI.
I'm just about best bang for my buck (considering performance, handling and furn factor) when it comes to cars but $30k MINI just doesn't fit into this category.

 

On all the Forums I belong to, whether motorcyle, car, or even BlackBerry phones, I think it's generally expected that members are "hardcore" about whatever the Forum's raison d'être.

I would not be on a MINI forum or section and expect to see lengthy discussions about Mazdas nor members bad mouthing the brand or people who choose to own the car.

 

I completely agree with you as I've been active on couple other forums too but I've noticed that there is a point where people realize that despite their love towards a car that they own now, there is a wiser choice somewhere else.
I've seen coutless posts and threads about people parting with their "dream car" in favor of new one that serves them better. And i'm not talking about "baby" or "marriage" situations that force you to change to "plain" car.
Just because you love one car, doesn't mean that you should turn a blind eye on competition, especially when it's better and cheaper

 

I agree, but please don't mistake my hesitation for bad mouthing the MINI. I LOVE the MINI and am trying hard to make sure it goes to a family ( mine) that can love it and take care of it properly. Just like picking a mate, there is a point where the costs outweigh the return.. Thats all. By NO means have I made up my mind NOR am I always looking over my shoulder for something better. I have some concerns about the MS3 as well..

This was simply an attempt to get some ideas, some points of views other than my own blinded by the forest ones. Nothing less or bashing going on over here..
I have to keep this for at least 4 years give or take.. I need the one that will give me the most for my money and still be worth something in the end. One I won't tire of, will be comfortable in for a long trip and gas mileage is of course a concern albeit not the biggest since they both get somewhat decent mileage.

 

Like the other Member said, since you have so much doubt, you are better off with the Mazda. You keep adding concerns to your posts that indicate the MINI is a bad choice for you.

The MINI is like that saying about the Rolex watch. "A man does not buy a Rolex to tell what time it is." Well, people don't buy MINIs to simply get from point a to point b. People buy the MINI because of styling, how it rides, pricing [it's actually a low priced car for what it is], and because they like or love the car.

They don't buy it because it meets the other factors and expectations you mention. I don't drive much, but if I did I could choose to get a fully loaded Toyota, Mazda or Nissan, typically for under $20,000. In contrast, if form was paramount over function, I'd opt for the MINI since in my opinion it provides a lot of form for the money, especially in comparison to other cars in the $35k to $45k range that the MINI can compete with in terms of the "cool factor."

Adding to the MINIs value, IMHO, is that the brand is perceived as a quality car. Consumer Reports rates it high and it has not been perceived as "junk" or a lemon. Heck, it even comes with a longer than standard warranty, 4 years, 50k miles.

Yes, people have problems with MINIs just as much as other brands have issues. I have seen posts about Mazdas, Toyotas and Nissans being junk. [I think there was even a negative Mazda post in here.]

Car owners are all over the map on cars in terms of what they will buy and how it fits their needs. There are billionaires and millionaires who drive ten year old economy cars. But on the other end, there are people barely able to make ends meet driving around in $50,000 luxury cars. For them, the kind of car they drive is the most important facet of their lives. A nice car is what makes them feel good, even if they live in a dumpy apartment or house.

Obviously, the MINI is NOT for you because styling and cachet are not that high on the list. I suspect you initially were looking at the MINI because it looked cool, but on reflection it has become impractical in all other respects.

So I would say quit wasting your time making a decision. I suspect that you will be very unhappy with a MINI purchase.

I don't know about Mazda cars except that I recommended to a friend in 2003 that she get a fully loaded 6 instead of a Pontiac. I told her the Mazda was a good product. She still has that car, that she bought for $27,000 back then, it's fully paid off now, and has about 18,000 miles on it [looks new.]

It sounds like you plan to keep the car a long time. I suspect the Mazda will make you way happier in that regard, long term Japanese reliability.

 

Yeah, in one motorcycle forum I belong to there was an obvious model-wide problem with a bike. Many members had a blind eye to the problem and flamed those who openly discussed the issue.

It took about a year for things to quiet down and for all members in the forum to finally accept that the manufacturer had a problem.

 

You have NO idea how tempting and possible that is to do..

 

Get both? Wow, this Forum is filled with big shots.

 

well, allow me to explain pehaps a bit more in detail.

I have bought cars on passion alone. And got rid of them because of either real or perceived ideas about value, room, needs, wants etc..

I never have a problem saying no to Porsches; or BMW's or Jaguars or huge SUV's. These cars are at the extreme level and for me the decision to say no thanks is an easy one. Mind you, I have never driven a porsche so I have no idea what I am saying no to.. which is a good thing!

I never knew what MINIs were all about until I drove one.. Then I was hooked. And I also didn't want to drive a Speed 3 when it first came out.. I thought "Sheesh, who the hell needs that kind of power?"

But then I got my hands on a cheap WRX wagon and I loved it. Handled great, power was great. Color sucked ( bright *** yellow) which I couldn't stand looking at after awhile and so along with a tight cockpit, I said adios.

Before you jump at me saying that i have no loyalty; its not true. And before you again tell me I have no connection to the soul of a car; that couldn't be farther from the truth. I KNOW soul when I see it.. and the MINI has plenty. Its not lost on me one bit. In my garage is a car with more soul than most cars have... Its a MINT condition all original ( paint interior, rubber, engine etc..) 1966 VW beetle in pearl white with a red interior.

I LOVE that car. Its not fast, and has no real room ( I can open all four windows without leaving the drivers seat)

But its sooooo original, with 46K documented miles, tons of original documentation and I am the second owner. It rides and drives as new. of course its my toy. I don't have to nor do I use it as a daily driver so all of its irrationalities don't play role in me keeping or selling it.

I will keep it 'till I die.

In fact it ( the VW) was the major decision for me getting Pepper White.. and the decision to go with the older body style since the front looks like a VW/porsche with those gorgeous headlights that like a deer I can stare at all day.
lets not forget the interior or the hood lines... like a seriously sexy women, those curves and chrome have me drooling all the time.

The Mazda is like a decent woman who looks good, smells good and goes at like a rabbit with a stick of dynamite up its butt. It doesn't ask that much from you, dinner is kinda cheap but like the MINI it still demands respect

The old toss up of Money Vs. Looks is playing out big time here...

as far as performance, Im happy with both. They are both to be respected and admired.

 

I had a Mazdaspeed Protege (NOT the same thing, admittedly), and it was a darned entertaining car to drive. Dynamically about the equal to an R53 MCS, with 4 doors and a trunk. Kind of good looking in an economy small-car way. Nice interior, good radio, practical if a little extreme on the handling front. But...

No Mazda, save maybe the Miata, comes close to doing for me what the Mini does for me. Mazdas also don't have the aftermarket support of the Mini, nor the camaraderie. Limited production, though, means more limited support, limited dealer availability/service, specialty parts, and (in 4-6 years) a car that's pretty much orphaned. Yep, they're fast, look OK (if a little generic), handle well, are well built, and I respect them. Yes, they can likely beat a Mini on a racetrack or in a bench race. Their dealers are fine, likely better than most. The real problem?

It's not a Mini.

 

Well put, Mini1966. Now post some picts of your Beetle.

 

This line has me giggling the more I think about it. Poor gal.

 

More like $40k with the necessary options!

 

I hate to make this post linger , but if you just keep a car for 4 years and you buy a new MINI ,get extended service ,and its resale value stays as good as it has been, it probably will be an extremely good buy in the end. Just a little sanity in an insane decision. I keep cars much longer so the 4 year ownership idea does not work for me. I love my MINI and my MX5. It would be interesting to see how many people own both.

 

Than I guess I'm the only one who's sane here.
I like my MINI but wouldn't spend more on one than I did. No matter how "cool" it can be, you can have much "cooler" cars with some cash spared for $40K
This is getting to the "ricer" territory

 

You're not alone. I share your sentiments. I fully "get" the experience and it's a great one. But, these are not the end all be all. Maybe we're car guys, not MINI guys.

 

$40k? How? I'm kicking myself for getting over $20k... I'm up to $22,150.

 

who is getting better than 27 mpg average? i have barely reached the 27mpg mark after a lot of "pulse and glide" driving. i have not heard of anybody geting better than that in an MCS maybe in the base model?

 

The Mazdaspeed 3 is a nice, practical and fast car that I considered when we had our little girl last year - as a second car. It seems like a weird comparison to a Mini. We've had our Mini in two auto shows (one "all-British"). It's a special car and a different breed. I mean, I've never seen another MCS quite like ours. Most Mini owners can say the same thing.

Other cars we've owned will come and go but the Mini's staying right here.

 

I just replaced a 2002 Mazda Protege5 with a 2006 MINI Cooper S JCW, and now this thread makes me wonder, would a Mazdaspeed3 have any performance advantage over a 2006 JCW?

I did test drive a new Mazdaspeed3 before buying the used MCS JCW. I had no problem with how it drove, but equipment wise it seemed no better than my 2002 P5 even though it was the top GT, the nav didn't seem well integrated or much better than the 2 year old BMW one, the stereo was more similar to my old one than the H/K.

It is a little crazy that a 2 year old MCS JCW cost me more than a brand new Mazdaspeed3, though that's with leather, reverse sensors, and other little things simply not available on the Mazda.

The convenient doors and seating for 4, the 5th seat, and the larger cargo area are definite advantages of the Mazdaspeed3.

Performace though? Is it really better? Maybe if a Mazdaspeed6 with AWD were still available, though I don't think they ever offered hatchback or wagon on that anyway...

 

all of those except the gti and wrx are used.... you have to be nuts to buy a used sti or evo for that price as the previous owners beat the **** out of them....

 

I know this is Very hard to believe but I once got 45mpg in my mini cooper s averaging 60 mph on the highway to work which was 40 miles round trip, i actually got 48 one way and 43 the other and that was with light braking...lol and i had all my mods except my bbk and lightened crank pully... haha... the closest ive gotten since is 40mpg... I think its cause i had a boost leak before... haha

 

When i first saw the MS3, I fell in love. However, I would never part with my MINI to drive one. When test driving the MS3...i immediately noticed that no one who saw me cared. When i'm in my MINI everyone turns their head, stares, or get other peoples attention that they're with just to look at the MINI.... so yeah, so I like positive attention...big deal, lol. Even if the MINI didnt handle like it was on rails, the attention I get from it everyday is enough to keep an MS3 parked on the lot.