.....you awoke on Christmas day to find that Santa's little helpers had delivered two brand-spanking-new cars to your doorstep.

The first is an '05 MCS (Santa's got connections, so this one's LSD-equipped ) which is well specced (no sat.nav., unfortunately) and the elves have managed to fit the JCW tuning kit and new JCW suspension....mmmm, tasty.

The second is a bog-standard, out-the-box Subaru WRX STi.

You're not allowed to test drive (or even sit in) either car but you are allowed to drool over them. One is yours to keep.

Which one would it be, and why

 

The MINI of course!

Why you ask? Cause its a MINI!!!!

Not that I am knocking the Subaru but why not the MINI, especially withy the mods you already mentioned!!!

 

Clearly the STi. I mean, comeon - a 300HP street legal racecar with the worlds best AWD vs. a MCS? No contest.

 

If you are going for raw power I understand and you are correct but lets talk about the appeal of the overall car.

I guess I am just not a huge fan of the Subaru's and a very HUGE fan of the MINI's.... no disrespect to the subaru, just my opinion.

 

Gotta come clean here, I'm in the STi camp (we do own an MCS though).

 

I guess for me I'm not buying a Mini because the looks are amazing (I prefer the looks of my Focus or the RSX) or for the mystique around it (I'm too young to remember the originals), but because its a car with a nice interior and good handling and good power for a good price. Throw price out the window (because its an xmas surprise) and I'm going to go for 2 out of 3, which the STi wins hands down.

But, I don't think the STi is worth the 32K they ask for it, hence the reason I am buying a far cheaper MINI.

 

hmmm, very tough choice. i would have to see what car has the most drool on it

 

a lotus?? wait, that wasnt an option. Trade in whatever and put a dp on a lotus

 

Mini. even if it was just a cooper. Because I hate the styling of the Subaru. The hood scoop looks like a mail box opening. Now if they could have put that perfomance in the svx. I wouldn't be driving a MCS now.


Paul

 

The MINI for sure! I think the MINI is the most beautiful car around. Well, at least more beautiful than all except just a handful of cars, and the Subaru isn't one of them. Not knocking the Subaru, as it's a fine car I've heard, but the interior is also a bit on the cheap looking side, and it doesn't have the premium features of the MINI. Plus, 10 or 20 years from now, the MINI's looks will hold up, and it will still be a desirable car -- with status.

 

I'd take the MINI. I've driven a WRX and it was fun and quick, but not a car I'd want to put up with on a daily basis. The WRX I drove didn't corner nearly as well as I expected it to, and the interior was a bit on the cheap side.... The WRX was so mighty loud at freeway speeds. Almost as if there were no sound deadning insulation in it at all.


The JCW I drove was not nearly as fast, but it exceeded my expectations for handling, quiet, and just general fit and finish.

Rawhyde

 

Mini hands down...the only thing the sti is got is the HP...but you can add to the Mini if you know what you are doing....and yes I know you can get 500 + hp out of the subaru..but is plastic and cheap....I just like class...if U want power then get a 95 Supra....1200 hp enough for you? what's the point...Oh and I have been in a mini that dusted a stock STi...and the mini only makes 220 and needs a new clutch and had my fat **** in it...

oh and one other thing

slaloms are from what I checked the Porche 911 Turbo at 67.8 mph and the Porche 911 GT2 at 68.7mph WRX at 70.5......and the Mini of 67.6 mph...who birthday is it...LOL....

What is more, they were testing a Cooper with 15" wheels! I can't find the Cooper s times....

If I already had the other two minis I want....then I would take the WRX cause I would have fun hooking it up with as much power as it can make....some of hte guys at the shop are tuning one....I think they are up to 650 or so...WOO HOO!!!

 

Tuls,

I remember in one of the car mags they reported the MCS slalom at somewhere around 70 mph, which sounds about right. Motor Trend posts their slalom results for the MCS at 65.4 and MCS Works at 66.5, so I wonder what they were smoking on those days, or in the least it was raining.

 

Tuls,
As well as the HP, I kinda like the 4WD.......makes all that HP useable, most of the time.

 

Santa's little helpers were no fools-
That was no ordinary MCS left under the tree, er I mean at your doorstep.
MCS with JCW kit and suspension and LSD option makes for one sweet MINI.

My vote would be for the MINI. Don't be like the others- think different.

 

Since we're talking fairy tales I might as well jump in on the fantasy....I'd easily go with the MCS, simply because I prefer MINIs for overall driveability. As for power, my Cooper is fast enough for me, thanks, but since it is Xmas I wouldn't turn down such a nice gift (...had a blast in the '05 MCS and JCW I've driven).

Between you and me, the WRX would have me in the post-Xmas return line...no interest really. Glad this is a MINI site!