R50/53 MINI out, MazdaSpeed in... sadly, or not
There is no owner community like this one - a key factor for me.
Clubmen are great, anyone's sense of proportion notwithstanding. Take an "S" for a really good flog and see if you don't come back with an ear-to-ear grin. For $#its and giggles, make it a JCW Clubman. They're pricey, though.
Mazda makes a great car for what it is. I had a Mazdaspeed Protege and loved it - for what it was. Not a lot of aftermarket support for any Mazda unless it's a Miata, or maybe an RX8. And what's the Mazdaspeed say about you when you pull up? Not the same thing as a Mini. Not that it's bad or anything, just different.
How often do you really need to shuttle kids, and for how long a drive, really? My 6' tall son fits in back behind my 5'3" wife just fine... if you really have a of of Saturday driving to do, just switch cars. Otherwise, shuttle the kids in the Mini!
Heck, pick up something interesting and cheap and use that as your local beater and your Mini as primary. What about a well maintained Land Rover for $5k? Maybe an Outback? Why not? It'd be cheaper and more fun than any ol' Mazda if you get to drive the Mini....
<mantra like voice> keeeeeep the Mini....
Clubmen are great, anyone's sense of proportion notwithstanding. Take an "S" for a really good flog and see if you don't come back with an ear-to-ear grin. For $#its and giggles, make it a JCW Clubman. They're pricey, though.
Mazda makes a great car for what it is. I had a Mazdaspeed Protege and loved it - for what it was. Not a lot of aftermarket support for any Mazda unless it's a Miata, or maybe an RX8. And what's the Mazdaspeed say about you when you pull up? Not the same thing as a Mini. Not that it's bad or anything, just different.
How often do you really need to shuttle kids, and for how long a drive, really? My 6' tall son fits in back behind my 5'3" wife just fine... if you really have a of of Saturday driving to do, just switch cars. Otherwise, shuttle the kids in the Mini!
Heck, pick up something interesting and cheap and use that as your local beater and your Mini as primary. What about a well maintained Land Rover for $5k? Maybe an Outback? Why not? It'd be cheaper and more fun than any ol' Mazda if you get to drive the Mini....
<mantra like voice> keeeeeep the Mini....
Last edited by DixonL2; Mar 4, 2009 at 07:58 AM.
6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,103
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From: Phoenix AZ
my wifes DD is an 07 mazda 3 5 door.
its is a great car. Its great for road trips to vegas, and mexico. it holds a lot of "stuff".
The one thing I would suggest is to buy an aftermarket roof rack if you plan on doing many weekend events with the family.
although it it a "wagon", it fills up quickly!
its is a great car. Its great for road trips to vegas, and mexico. it holds a lot of "stuff".
The one thing I would suggest is to buy an aftermarket roof rack if you plan on doing many weekend events with the family.
although it it a "wagon", it fills up quickly!
3rd Gear
Joined: Jul 2008
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One more consideration - GAS MILEAGE!
The MINI has better mileage than any of the other models suggested. Of course you can do better with hybrids for around town, but you'd loose all of the fun your S provides. I am averaging 31 to 32 in my Clubman-S with manual.
If you need AWD, then go with a Subaru. you can't beat their reliability and ruggedness.
IMO, the Clubman provides almost as much driving fun, with more space and a little more ride comfort, as a MC.
And - don't forget the insurance costs, as noted earlier.
The MINI has better mileage than any of the other models suggested. Of course you can do better with hybrids for around town, but you'd loose all of the fun your S provides. I am averaging 31 to 32 in my Clubman-S with manual.
If you need AWD, then go with a Subaru. you can't beat their reliability and ruggedness.IMO, the Clubman provides almost as much driving fun, with more space and a little more ride comfort, as a MC.
And - don't forget the insurance costs, as noted earlier.
Last edited by djmcgill; Mar 2, 2009 at 11:49 PM.
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1st Gear
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 40
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From: Long Beach
Has your 2005 been well cared for? The argument of buying a new car based solely on warranty coverage is a pretty weak argument at best. At 100K miles you still have a new car by today's quality/durability standards. Now, if you are craving the "new car smell" that is mostly a want vs need argument. Hey there is nothing wrong about keeping a good quality car like the MINI for 5-10 years. In this recession/depression economy more people will hang on to their existing cars for a longer period of time. The days of switching cars like changing shirts are over.
It is cheaper to maintain and repair your 2005 than buying a new car. The math/numbers don't lie. And this is true if the car has been paid for.
But if you must part with your R53, You should plan in spending some quality time aboard Clubman S. I can tell you right off the bat that you'll miss some of the visceral feeling that you enjoy in your current MINI. But it is still a very nice car, the ride quality is better and it is generally a more family friendly car. The Missus will like it.
The Clubman S is more expensive than the Mazda Speed3. The Mazda is a good car, but its structural rigidity fails to impress me. The new Mazda 3 generation appears to be a more solid car but the front end is ugly.
Carefully look at your options. Do the math to see if it is truly better for you to incur the expense of buying a new car, paying interest on a loan, higher insurance, versus keeping your current car and projecting upcoming maintenance and repair item costs.
It is cheaper to maintain and repair your 2005 than buying a new car. The math/numbers don't lie. And this is true if the car has been paid for.
But if you must part with your R53, You should plan in spending some quality time aboard Clubman S. I can tell you right off the bat that you'll miss some of the visceral feeling that you enjoy in your current MINI. But it is still a very nice car, the ride quality is better and it is generally a more family friendly car. The Missus will like it.
The Clubman S is more expensive than the Mazda Speed3. The Mazda is a good car, but its structural rigidity fails to impress me. The new Mazda 3 generation appears to be a more solid car but the front end is ugly.
Carefully look at your options. Do the math to see if it is truly better for you to incur the expense of buying a new car, paying interest on a loan, higher insurance, versus keeping your current car and projecting upcoming maintenance and repair item costs.
But I've looked at this from so many different angles and pretty much no matter how it's sliced, selling my MINI and getting the Mazda ends up being very comparable cost-wise over a 6-7 year period. In fact, with the stimulus plan new car tax credit, I'll be in the black for almost 2 years. If I keep the MINI, in 3-4 years, I'd end up getting something new anyway, so cost doesn't really factor in. Either way, I'm getting new car smell.
And as much as I like the MINI, the Speed3's growing on me. Variety is the spice of life.
Plus someone's gotta help rev up the economy.
I'll be looking at the Clubman up close tonight.
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1st Gear
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Long Beach
Part of it's visceral. It seems like there are a crapload of Jetta's about... at least in LA.
The Subaru's pretty comparable but with a little less rear leg room and it's a couple grand more.
tick, tick, tick
Thread Starter
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1st Gear
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 40
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From: Long Beach
No kidding? That would be worth a plane ticket. Plus the wife's got family down in Saluki country.
5th Gear
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 852
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From: Aurora, IL
http://www.theautobarn.com/
Good luck!
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,972
Likes: 3
From: South Florida
Well, save your pennies and enjoy your MS3 in the meantime
You had a beautiful car!. To me the R53 looks and feels right, hence why I have no plans to sell my '05. They don't make them like that anymore
Last edited by ClubmanS; Mar 4, 2009 at 01:34 PM.
1st Gear
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 27
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I just traded a Mazda 3 4 door in for my Cooper S and it was one of the toughest decisions I have made. I loved that car, but got addicted to the Mini. I have however driven a couple MS3's at the dealership and they are unbelievable. A salesman added a MS CAI and exhaust and dynoed well over 300hp for around $600 in mods. I think you will miss the Mini, but the Speed3 will be a great, fun car to replace it with. Enjoy!
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,972
Likes: 3
From: South Florida
Care to elaborate?
Can you "undo" the deal and get back to your '05 MCS?
Last edited by ClubmanS; Mar 6, 2009 at 09:23 AM.
R53 ftw, i just wish the 03 i love so much was an 05-06, its just that much better, but then when i drive my 03 through the twisties i start to think it doesnt matter if the 05s better or faster
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,941
Likes: 1
From: Snowy Wisconsin
I just gt a bummed out feeling when the car in my garage isn't my MINI. Even after 4 years when I would walk out to my parked MINI I would smile and think "What an excellent, gorgeous car. I'm so glad it's mine".
I'm not feeling the love with the Mazda, yet.
It isn't the cars fault. It is my emotional attachment to the MINI.
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,972
Likes: 3
From: South Florida
I don't think so. Paying 2 car payments is a stretch right now. :( And I doubt the dealer would go for that. Plus, my SO (who is paying - I just finished college in Dec. and am currently job hunting) likes it.
I just gt a bummed out feeling when the car in my garage isn't my MINI. Even after 4 years when I would walk out to my parked MINI I would smile and think "What an excellent, gorgeous car. I'm so glad it's mine".
I'm not feeling the love with the Mazda, yet.
It isn't the cars fault. It is my emotional attachment to the MINI.
I just gt a bummed out feeling when the car in my garage isn't my MINI. Even after 4 years when I would walk out to my parked MINI I would smile and think "What an excellent, gorgeous car. I'm so glad it's mine".
I'm not feeling the love with the Mazda, yet.
It isn't the cars fault. It is my emotional attachment to the MINI.
My '05 MCS will be officially 4 years old in a couple of weeks. And I still have blast driving it
I don't ever get tired of looking at it
I never owned a car this age and yet still feel excited every time I hop behind the wheel
I look forward to driving it everywhere and my commute to and from work is a daily thrill (It helps that I only work 9 miles away and I go in opposite direction to bad traffic)
I hope you can get back on a MINI sometime soon. I think the MS3 is a very good car. But to me it is just another car that blends in with the rest. Yes it is insanely fast...But...How many times on daily driving are you going to be able to enjoy all that speed/power under your right foot?
To me the MINI is one of those rare cars that are a "complete package". You have cars that are either very fast, very comfortable, very practical, very reliable but they never excel in every aspect as the MINI does. I enjoy speed and power, but that isn't everything.
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,941
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From: Snowy Wisconsin
I'm glad you understand. I am starting to feel a bit pathetic, grieving for a car like this (well, maybe I am a bit pathetic). But it isn't just a car.
It doesn't help that I've spent a lot of time in the past few days looking at MINI for sale ads, when I should be looking at job ads and writing cover letters.
It doesn't help that I've spent a lot of time in the past few days looking at MINI for sale ads, when I should be looking at job ads and writing cover letters.
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1st Gear
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Long Beach
Follow up...
In my dreams, I get the Speed3 AND keep the MINI. But money being what it is - in limited supply - that would be a stretch.
I did check out the Clubman. Mmmmm, that MINI smell. I never realized it before but the new MINI smell is quite unique. Really different from any other car. Or is it a BMW-wide thing?
One bonus of owning an under-warranty MINI (mine's been long gone) is thr trips to the dealer for maintenance or accessories. If I can be at least a little manly for a sec, I just love the gorgeous women - working and customers - that seem to float around MINI/BMW dealers. Don't worry. The wife knows she's safe.
Back on topic, the Clubman did take on an interesting appeal. I'm still leaning towards the MS3 but there's a pull being felt.
Clubman S = unique*, character, good performance, fun, "family", $24k? (anyone dealing on these?)
MS3 = not AS unique but certainly not a Corolla, GREAT performance, fun, could feel like I'm cheating but then it IS different and variety is the spice of life, qué no?, $21k
* On the uniqueness factor, as much as I like this about the MINI, in L.A. it's a bit like saying you ran into a star while you were out on the town. It's kinda cool, but they're everywhere so it's bound to happen. Now, if I was in Duluth, the uniqueness factor would have way more pull. Just sayin'...
In my dreams, I get the Speed3 AND keep the MINI. But money being what it is - in limited supply - that would be a stretch.
I did check out the Clubman. Mmmmm, that MINI smell. I never realized it before but the new MINI smell is quite unique. Really different from any other car. Or is it a BMW-wide thing?
One bonus of owning an under-warranty MINI (mine's been long gone) is thr trips to the dealer for maintenance or accessories. If I can be at least a little manly for a sec, I just love the gorgeous women - working and customers - that seem to float around MINI/BMW dealers. Don't worry. The wife knows she's safe.
Back on topic, the Clubman did take on an interesting appeal. I'm still leaning towards the MS3 but there's a pull being felt.
Clubman S = unique*, character, good performance, fun, "family", $24k? (anyone dealing on these?)
MS3 = not AS unique but certainly not a Corolla, GREAT performance, fun, could feel like I'm cheating but then it IS different and variety is the spice of life, qué no?, $21k
* On the uniqueness factor, as much as I like this about the MINI, in L.A. it's a bit like saying you ran into a star while you were out on the town. It's kinda cool, but they're everywhere so it's bound to happen. Now, if I was in Duluth, the uniqueness factor would have way more pull. Just sayin'...
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,941
Likes: 1
From: Snowy Wisconsin
I'll tell you my follow up...we've had the MS3 a week now. It's a really nice car and my SO loves it. It has so much power for such a small car it's scary (especially for me, who is prone to speeding tickets). So it has become his car.
As for me, I'm in the market for a used (2005-2006) Mini Cabrio and plan on buying one within a week or two. I found I couldn't live without a MINI. Maybe I'm a sentimental old lady, but I miss my car so much.
As for me, I'm in the market for a used (2005-2006) Mini Cabrio and plan on buying one within a week or two. I found I couldn't live without a MINI. Maybe I'm a sentimental old lady, but I miss my car so much.
1st Gear
Joined: Apr 2008
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If you are looking for a Cabrio, there is a 2005 BRG in Oshkosh, WI(I see you are in Hudson) at a Bergstrom used car dealership. It is not an S, but fun with the manual anyway. Search for Bergstrom Oshkosh and look up MINI in the used car section. Should be pix. Good luck with the search.