By greater I mean on paper. More expensive, more HP, etc. Bimmers, Audis, high-dollar Japanese cars, American muscle cars, etc. Or perhaps you didn't "switch," but added a MINI to the stable and found it more enjoyable to own and drive than a "better" car you may own?

I've always been curious...

 

American muscle car -- 1968 Dodge Dart ordered with a 383 CI and Torqueflight transmission, did cam, carburetor (yeah no FI), manifold, and some 411s with posi. 68 Barracuda, 66 Charger.

Japanese cars -- Lexus (my wife has had four or five and I have to drive them) and I would take my MCS any day over any of them.

Also had Acura, Chrysler, Volvo S80 T6 (liked it but it kept falling apart- first year) 90 T-Bird Super Coop (worst car I ever had ), 66 Chevelle, Sterling, and too many to list.

1950 Angela (sp) that had been built for the 1/4 mile, I bought the car and sold the engine to a friend of mine and put in a 327 CI 350 HP out of a Vett with an automatic so I could drive it on the street, added lights, and other necessary items then my wife showed up pregnant so no more toy.

Love my MCS

Earl

 

My MC is the first "NEW" car I have ever owned.I have owned many,never had one with a warrenty.I have owned lots of cars, I like where I'm at with my MINI,warrenty is covering any problems,and I get to drive the best car of the 20+ I have owned

 

I have a highly modified 65 Ford Mustang Convertable
http://www.mustangdon.com/listing.php?id=8
, and a slightly modified 2002 CR/W MCS. The mini is tighter and lighter and seems to corner better than the mustang, but I just got a roll-bar in the mustang, so I'll take it out to Thunderhill, Sears Point and Laguna and compare the two.

But if you want an extroverted car, the red/white 65 conv. can't be beat by much. And with the modified EFI 5.0 putting down tons of torque (over 300 ft lbs) and the Griggs suspension, the car is wayyyyyyyy better than any period car that ever left ford. But I still have to sort a few minor items (some brake noise and shock settings) before it's really "done".

But no matter how much I spend on the Mustang, the Mini will be much more nimble. But it has a roof!

Matt

 

You own the only other car I want,a early mustang,I don't care how moded,I want one

 

Had a '01 SVT Lightning. That thing was a beauty of a beast. Got me a lot of tickets and a suspended license. So after waiting for that to be over and waiting for winter to be done with to drive her again, I decided to rethink my choice of vehicle and came across a MCS. It's fun in a whole different way. Pros about the Lightning over the MINI is that it was damn good in any range of rpm(just kept pulling hard), and you could still actually haul stuff. I'd love to have one again, but I'll have to wait. They're npt coming out with anything until the -07 production so the word goes. Then there's the new anticipated Camaro that's due as well. I'll have some choices to make in a few years here, as to what toy I want.
Cheers,

 

Get one and keep it stock! The handling sucks, as does the gas milage and the carb. With EFI, 5-speed, a real suspension, GOOD BRAKES and modern A/C, it looks like the old, and drives like the new (except for the older sounding body rattles!).

Matt

 

Yup, thats what I would like

 

I had a '97 M3 sitting in the garage when I bought my MCS. After about a year of driving the MINI, I realized that I just never had the desire to drive the M3 anymore. In fact, on days when I drove it in to work just to give it some run time, I was depressed that I couldn't take the MINI. Sounds strange to some, I know. Had anyone told me I would think like that pre-MINI, I would have said they were crazy.

So the M3 went bye-bye last fall to be replaced with something I think I'll find more enjoyable... a classic Volvo to be driven on nice weekends to car shows and club gatherings (and the occassional drive just because).

 

I came to my my MC from a 2002 BMW 330i. That was an awesome car and I loved it very much. I still second think my decision but then I drive my MC and those thoughts go away. Although the 330i had more power it wasn't as much fun to drive. Besides those BMWs are a dime a dozen and no where as uniques as my MC. So i'm happy. :smile:

 

Coming from a 2003 Saturn Ion, I'm definitely moving up, but I have had the opportunity to buy some "greater" cars. I've been very tempted, but so far I've held out for the MINI.

I came very close to buying a 2004 BMW 325i in dark grey with black leather, it had the sports and premium packages, and was basically brand new.

My second temptation was a 2004 Mazda RX-8, silver, black leather, navigation, 6 speed, loaded, and like the BMW...basically brand new.

And my latest temptation was a 2003 Audi A4 3.0 Quattro, silver, black leather, loaded.

And with the A4, I also considered buying a brand new A4 1.8T.

In the end, the MINI still won me over.

 

I owned a '00 Camaro and a '94 Corvette before the MINI... and they just don't even compare in any way

 

My MCS is probably the second best handling car I've ever owned (after the 1971 Lotus Elan+2 130/S) but it is far more reliable and therefore even more fun than the Lotus. I sold a GTI VR-6 when I got my MCS, also a great car, faster in the straights, but a veritable pig compared to the MCS in the handling department. My foray into the world of muscle cars was limited to owning a 1969 American Motors two- seater AMX (390 cu. in. V-8, 4-spd., 4:11 gears, large can of woopass included). I am still an avid fanatic of all things MG, and probably will be forever (or at least until psychoanalysis improves its results markedly).

 

I traded my 2 year old CLK 430 for a 2002 Indy Blue MC and ordered an EB MCS in May, 2002. When the MCS arrived in August, the dealer gave me what I had paid for the MC, even with 3000 miles on it. Now I can park at big box stores and not have to worry about some jealous fool keying my car. I can also get a heck of a lot more enjoyment driving my car around town. Tires dont cost $250 each. More grin per buck than anything else you can do with your pants on!

 

On the 25th i'll be trading my 2004 Lexus is300 in for my new 05 MCS!!
The lexus was the best car i've ever owned. It just didn't have that something special. Maybe fellow mini owners know what i'm talking about. I'm looking forward to a small car again. Some people look at me like i'm a fool for trading in the lexus, but i know i'll be happier and i'll own something special!

Devilmini

 

traded my 2004 NISSAN 350Z for my 2005 MC.

 

Sold my trusted 1997 Toyota T100 4x4 for the dp on our MCS, which I am picking-up in two days! The MCS will be my daily driver and the stable includes my 2003 Toyota 4Runner 4x4 SE and my wife's Subaru Forester XT Premium.

I owned old Mustangs (1970 Mach Is with 351Cs) and two GTIs in the past...a 1984 and a 1989 16V...I really enjoyed those and the MCS should just blow them away.

 

I had a heavily modded 98 Prelude before the MCS.... I was very
satisfied with the Prelude, but once I got on the MCS... Pre-wat? :smile:

The MCS, as a driver's machine, drives better than any Honda FF Ive
driven in the past including the Teg-R. and the only thing I did on
my MCS were springs/rearswaybar/wheels/tires..no expensive
coilovers,etc.

The Honda's have smoother gearbox and a more sportier tone which
I miss (not ther ric0r sound I am talking about, the Honda VTEC sound
along with a tasteful Mugen exhaust).

but I can't see myself with just the MCS. Not enough torque down
low and not enough room to carry much stuff around. I watched a
V6 Accord slowly pull away on an expressway entrance even
with my 15% and i/e/ssr comps (he might've been on nitrous...
but probably not). oh well... but I am happy with the car regardless.

 

During most of the week I"m up-country on dirt un four-wheel drive most of the time in my work car a Mitsubishi Nativa (I think its called Montero Sport in the States).

The switch to the MINI is just great! It is certainly a change.

 

I'm now trying to sell a '03 Boxster S with 1,800 miles in order to take delivery of a 05 MCS Cabriolet with the auto trans from Classic MINI. Just never really enjoyed the Porsche like I did my early 911S's. Looking forward to the cabrio, which will be MINI #3 for our family.

 

my first new car. sold my 1981 corvette and a 1973 karmann ghia to buy it

 

try going from a "67 "s" to a '03 "s"

i love em both

 

First car was a '74 Monte Carlo with a landau (sp?) roof and 400 / 4 barrel and then a '77 TransAm Blackbird with a couple of mods. Was fun at the time but nothing near a MCS.

 

69 Firebird Convertible
81 DeLorean
87 Corvette Convertible
92 Ford Ranger
91 Miata
98 Neon ACR sedan
93 Viper RT10
97 Blue/White GTS
05 MCSC - Should get it sometime this week...

Gee, I just realized that I get a convertible every other car.

The Vipers are going to be hard to top, but I really didn't drive them that much, maybe 3 - 4k miles per year. Too nervous to park them in strange places. I beat the snot out of a Miata (purchased well used), and really enjoyed it. The MCSC will be my only car, so it will get a good shakeout. I have had company cars for the last 7 years, so I put the bulk of my miles on boring minivans.

The Mini will be the first of the cars purchased new. I usually buy cars used, but the resale value of Minis made it not really worth getting one used.

 

When I was shopping for my MCS I met another MINI owner at the dealership that said he sold his Boxster and thought the MINI was far better handling (and much less expensive).

Recently an MCS owner traded in his MINI for a 2004 Boxster and took it to autocross but his times were a bit longer than the stock MCS running that day- go figure.

I sold my "trusty" '91 Dodge Caravan SE when I bought my MCS. I was mostly commuting by myself and it was an extra family van that I wanted to keep driving. I let my kids drive my other commuter car, a '95 Nissan Maxima SE which has since gone to driving school events and done quite well against some mid modded MCS (my instructor was at the wheel).

Another MC owner told me she gets many more looks and waves when driving her MC than her top of the line Mercedes. That lasted only one year, then she sold her MC for $25,000 (upgraded and aero skirts/painted arches) and bought a 6 series BMW. Oh well.