Hey everyone, I haven't been on NAM in some time now. For the past year I have been falling out of love with my Mini. I admit, I get sick of cars fast. After I had some minor problems with my car like thermostat gasket, MAP sensor, ignition switch, I started to think it was time to sell it and pick up a new toy. For the past 2 months I have been looking and searching and test driving a variety of different cars. From Honda s2000 to Suburu STI to VW R32, I CANNOT FIND A CAR I LIKE BETTER THAN MY MINI! I don't know if its because I just love the sound of my supercharger or the way the Mini handles, but no car I have driven so far made a dent to make me switch. Now that my loan is almost up, I think I might keep the Mini. There is a lot of things I have been wanting to do to the car but being a poor college student its tough. But now that I wont have a loan... well

Last time I have been on NAM I was looking at getting a Sprintex supercharger, but they still did not come out. I guess now they are selling them and I found the thread of people giving their opinions on it, worth it?

I have called many companies looking for a AGS and had no luck, anyone know of one?

Basically I need to start modifying the mini more to make me fall back in love with it or i need to switch to a new car.

So there it is, I cant find a replacement for my Mini!!!
And just curiosity, what cars would you guys look at after your Mini? I still have my eyes set on Suburu STI, the new Suburu BRZ, possibly Mitsubishi EVO....

 

Don't let subi and mitsu convince you the cake is a lie.....


on a serious note with what you already have done to the car your next step is going to have to be a big one. To be perfectly hones you have three options, bigger blower, custom turbo kit, or a shot of the juice. Sprintex is a good choice, but a bit pricy. Turbos can do the same job for less, but it's going to need to be custom. As for nitrous... well I figure thats obvious.

If you need pricing on anything or have any Q's let me know.

 

My first picks would be Suburu BRZ or Focus ST although I have driven neither. And I think with the BRZ I would miss all the torque of the MINI. Look forward to seeing what you do to your MINI.

If I had the $$ I would probably be driving an STI hatch in the winter, MINI in the summer. One can dream...

I think I am going to be really torn when my loan is paid and the car is 4 years old and my eyes start wondering looking at other cars.

 

We just took a look at the veloster. It's a compromise. I will take it out for a spin again when the turbo debuts. I've also been looking at the 135i. I really like it and think that would be my next step. The Mrs. is checking out small SUV's at the moment. GLK350 RDX Turbo and X3 are in her tops. she wants AWD and hates the countryman. win some, lose some.

 

try a porsche.. i just got a 1997 C2 (993) and it's pretty amazing compared to the mini.. i love both of them as they are very different car. Im just putting in some PSS10 coilovers and the 993 will have go-kart handling like the mini. Feels much more of a purpose built old school race car

phil.

 

[QUOTE=oxspeed;3445992]on a serious note with what you already have done to the car your next step is going to have to be a big one. /QUOTE]

That's what I'm afraid of, right now I consider my car reliable and IMO a quick, well handling car. Any thing more I do to it I feel like I will be crossing the line of daily driver

Nitrous:
1. I live in NY, illegal right?
2. Even small shots isn't it still bad for engine?

Turbo:
Last I heard of turbo r53's was altas. And some custom ones. I remember hearing that the plumbing is extremely hard and the power difference and cost just isn't worth it

People please correct me if I'm wrong, I will have to do research.

More suggestions fellow miniacs :-)

 

Do you want a new or used car? How much money do you want to spend on a different car?
If you have had your MCS since 2005 it might be time for a different car.
You have done the usual mods. As stated the next mod jump will be expensive with head, cam, header, and tune. It might be better to spend that money on a different car.

 

For me if I was going to replace the MINI it would be another Porsche-Cayman or a Lotus Elise.

Or if I sold sold both cars a 930, just need a "slush fund" for traffic court.

http://bringatrailer.com/2012/01/30/...che-930-turbo/

 

Nitrous isn't technically bad for the engine if done correctly. The misunderstanding comes due to the orignal aplication of nitruous. people would simply run what ever shot they wanted. doing that is like letting lit bombs off int the engine. If you run a progressive controller it gives a nice smooth ramp up. if you do that it's the same as running any other power adder.

Turbo kits can be costly but if done right will still maintain street car status.

it's about give and take. The next stuff is going to be costly, but if you are hooked on the way you mini does it's thing then its worth it.

On a postive note, changing or up grading your power adder allows you to pick your power bands shape.

 

Another newer MINI.

Comparison: Mini Cooper vs Scion tC vs Honda CR-Z vs Volkswagen Beetle vs Hyundai Veloster vs Fiat 500

Yeah, I know, Motor Trend .. but fun article.

 

Im actually considering a Hyundai veloster when the turbo comes out, or possibly a GTI...

 

The other day I saw a new Veloster Turbo around my neck of the woods.... Nice car.I have not driven it but reviews seem to point this model as the best handling Hyundai in production today but in N/A form underpowered.The problem with Hyundais, they either have good power and sucky handling, or good handling and sucky power.Test drive it for sure, although, I don't think it will match the handling prowess of your 2005.And why the eagerness to go into a new car and monthly car notes? Enjoy the awesome car you already have! It us much cheaper to keep fixing this one and modding it than it is to get locked up into another car loan. In this lousy economy I will be very, very wary of getting into long term debt...

 

Agreed, not having a car payment is great.

 

If you want to wait, get a Subaru BRZ/Toyota FT-86. If you are impatient, go find yourself a used S2000 or get the STI. Don't bother with a Lan Evo

 

Nothing like being free and clear of a car payment. I paid my 05 off about 8 months ago, and I am a college student as well. I don't plan on getting another car for a long long time, I hate car payments.

If money wasn't an issue, I'd pick up a 3series. But that won't be anytime soon. Good luck

 

As a current owner of a MCS, I would recommend a 2006 EVO 9 MR (I have owned this car previously). I loved the EVO but just got sick of the payments.

 

The GTI is nice and less expensive than a comparable Mini Cooper. The GTI seats are great. The GTI handles well and rides nice but is not as fun as my GP. If I was buying a new car, I would purchase the GTI over the Mini Cooper.

 

Achilless
I agree with you that I have not found another car that puts a smile on my face each and every time like the supercharged MINI. If your in need of some new upgrades in power I would stick to the old tried and true methods.
Step #1 A good street cam and header.
Step#2 A good head.

With either of these additions I would also add a tune to get the most out of it. These mods have been around for quite some time and have proven to be reliable daily drivers which produce good power upgrades. This would be my pick over sprintex only because sprintex is fairley new to MINI's.

If you are looking for suspension improvements their are a lot of different options depending on what you want the car to do best for your uses.
There are plenty of good shocks/struts, spring choices, coilovers, bracing, ect. that will change your ride for the conditions that you will use it for.

Any of these items will probably widen the smile on your face if done correctly and you spend the time to decide which options are right for your intended use. I have seen countless times when someone puts a race suspension on a street car and becomes unhappy with their choices when it is all done.

Just remember that whatever you decide to do, the money that you will spend doing it, will be mostly un-recoverable. That is the cost of your own enjoyment when moding.
Steve

 

I tried to talk myself into a GTI because I needed a bigger car for me & my 100# English Lab. I like the look of the GTI interior and exterior and it handled well. BUT every single time I got back in my '09 MCS I felt the GTI didn't really compare. Maybe it's too mainstream, maybe it's not quirky enough, I don't know. So, I ended up with a '12 Countryman S and I don't have a single regret. It's a matter of personal taste so do what makes you happy. I'm a total carwhore at age 46 have owned 47 cars. I kept my '09 S longer than any other daily driver and can't seem to shake the MINI habit.