Well it was a fun decade in my R53 but exponentially increasing repair bills and an undiagnosable cold start issue told me it was time .

There is now a new wrx in my driveway



I wish I could say it will be missed but I think it will take some time for nostalgia to set in and cause me to forget being stuck at home because it was too cold. Or biking to work because the mini was on jack stands.
Eventually though only I'll think back to mini takes the states 2006-2010, mini's on top or simply mountain roads. Then it will be one of the greats again...

Thank you for all the support and fun over the years.
Schr5530

 

You won't get over it. 45 years ago I parted ways with my E type roadster. Every time I see one there's still a tug that won't let go.

 

WRX... completely different kind of car and the new ones are way to big. You will miss ur mini.

 

Sorry to see you leave. Good luck . MTTS 2006 , 2008, 2010 were so much fun.

 

Maybe one day you'll have another MINI in the driveway. Thanks for being a part of the community and good luck with everything. Hope you enjoy the new WRX. Just had a buddy buy a '16 with the CVT. Interested to see how the CVT's hold up.

 

Well the R53 Mini CVTs made me choose a good old fashion 6spd. I also passed on the 2016 civic mainly because of the CVT (new turbo is CVT only, for now). I Know a lot has changed in the last decade but I still want a transmission with a century of development rather then a couple decades

Yes the WRX is much bigger but the mini has grown too. Almost everything has. I did enjoy my test drive in the new mini but mini lost my trust. it came down to mx5 vs wrx and the Miata was a bit too mini. I want/need room for apassenger and my dog.

 

That's my concern as well when it comes to CVT so that is why I am curious as to how they hold up and what repair costs will look like. He isn't too concerned as he works at a Subaru shop. Only time will tell. It's awesome that the new '15+ WRX now comes with a 6 speed.

 

Is it an STi?

 

No
STI didn't seem a fair trade, a bit more power for a lot more money and give up what little ride comfort the WRX has

 

Fair enough.
Enjoy your new ride!

 

Only the R50 had the CVT option. The R53's never came with a CVT, it shares the same automatic as the R56.