I have to make a decision...
Mini plain jane or S...
considerations:
---------------
1. daily driver back and forth to work ~70 miles a day.
2. gas mileage!
3. maybe a few driver schools a year
4. a fun car, performs when you want it to...
5. used or new?

From what I've seen a used Mini is not much less than new!?

any suggestions?

Thanks!
-Kutch

 

The MCS gets about 30 MPG best.


If milage is a factor, with the miles you will be driving, I would pick a plain jane version. Cheaper, more economical.

Then again, I got a Miata for economical and fun...and it take regular gas....

 

well acording to your list the MC sounds to be your choice. i used to have a bare bones MCS (sold it due to transmission problems). then bought a loaded MC. i love it. it drives hard and responsive at 4000 rpm and up. engine is nice and smooth with plenty of feedback. the new getrag 5 speed is very nice. and im getting high 30s MPG on my 80 mile commute to work. much better than my MCS. i heard gas is going to hit $4.00 by the end of the year, so $4.30 for us premium gas people. plus my insurance is less. the MC has a better spoiler than the MCS. and nobody notices that i traded a MCS for an MC. very few non MINI people know the difference between and MC and an MCS.

 

1) I have an 03 MCSI use as a daily driver 140+ miles a day. I have alot of two lane road that I travel, so the added quickness when passing is a plus.
2)I guess it could be better, it varies from 28-35 but usually stays around 30.
3) not yet, but plan too some day . So I don't know what the better choice would be.
4) always
5)Since new and used are going for about the same, I would get new if you could swing it.

Nik

 

If cost is a concern than get a MC. You'll have more fun in the MCS but you'll be spending more on gas. Resale value is high so you won't save much buying used. I only have about 1400 miles so far but I drive pretty spirited and the on board computer shows my average consumption at 30MPG.

 

All advice above is good. My only other suggestion is the following. Given that you're interested in gas mileage, I'd go for the Cooper. I'd also recommend a new Cooper vs. a used S.

Don't get me wrong, I have a MCS and love it, but I really couldn't care about the gas mileage. Now, what you should do is look at the difference in gas mileage of the two cars, multiply by your yearly mileage and the price of gas and then decide how important gas mileage vs. performance is in your book. I think that the $ in gas purchased won't be as great as you think.

Saludos

 

Drive an MC and then decide. The MC is pretty spirited even with the CVT transmission. I'm sure the MCS would be great, but for most people I think the MC will be OK. You'll have to decide if you can live without the additional power or not.

 

either! Just be sure to get the sport seats, the standard seats will "kill" you on a long commute!
Cooper!!!!
either!
either! should consider the convertable!
new!

With a tie between 1,3, and 4, item 2 has the MC at a distinct advantage. So get a new MCc!

 

I've been really happy with my Cooper.

I mostly drive the car for fun (autocross and track days), but I did actually take it on a road trip once, and the fuel economy was excellent (mileage varied from 36-39mpg for about 3-4 tanks).

Insurance is also quite reasonable.

 

Mileage is a concern- with gas prices going thru the roof! Then premium!
I guess my only last concern is...can you get LSD on the 5-speed MC tranny?

And I guess that all the suspension you'd get in a MCS could be ordered in the MC, right?

I think that as long as the car handled like a dream, power would come second place...?

kutch

 

1) Right now, you can only get the LSD on the Cooper S manual, which is actually a 6 speed. In other words, no LSD on the base Cooper at this point.

2) Yes, as far as I know, the Sport Suspension Plus option for the Cooper is very similar in spec and performance to the suspension on the Cooper S. But, if you're going to modify the suspension, I'd save the $500.

3) Extra power is sort of a personal thing. For me, I don't miss it, but I drive pretty slow when I'm not autocrossing or whatever (actually I drive pretty slow at the autocross, too, but not on purpose ). So to me, ya, power is secondary compared to nice handling

 

Gor for the new MC. Had an '03 the traded after an accident for an '05 MC.

Good gas mileage and good price. Though on my second MC, I got the basics but added fog lights and the steering wheel with Cruise and radio controls. Well worth the few dollars.

 

Drive both an MC and MCS. Compare new and used prices carefully and then decide. I'm sure you'll be happy with your decision. However, if you change your mind later, both have good resale value.

If you're interested in driving schools and 'spirited' driving, you may be happier with an MCS. The MC is also a lot of fun in this area, but you have to push it a little harder. However with the MCS, this is the type of driving that eats the most gas. So, if you're prone to drive this way alot, you have to be willing to pay for it. Still, the lowest gas milage for an MCS would make an SUV driver drool.

If most of your driving is freeway commuting, and you're not too lead-footed, I don't think there'll be a lot of difference in gas milage between the MC and MCS. My best milage on my 03 MCS was on 300mi of straight freeway. I got around 36mpg, indicated by the computer. Adjusting for error, this is still probably about 33-34 mpg.

So, have fun deciding. Then, have fun driving.

Good luck.

 

If you deicde to go new and still want a MCS, order a "Basic" model (If such a thing really exists) and you'll be a happy camper.....

My 1 week old '05 MCS was ordered as follows:

16" V-spoke wheels with Dunlop runflats
Halogen headlights
Manual A/C
3-spoke MFSW
Harmon Kardon
Front and rear fogs
Chrome line exterior package
Convenience package (Self dimming rear view mirror, rain sensing wipers, automatic headlamps, remote garage door opener)
Black leatherette sport seats
Anthracite interior dash/door trim
Union Jack roof flag
MINI iPod adaptor
ASC+T


That's it. MSRP sticker price as ordered $22,850 (Dealer threw in the roof flag and the MINI iPod adaptor so those were frebbies, zero, nada).

Price out the door after taxes and fees: $24,721.

Basically you need to determine your needs/wants with a new MINI. Do you have to have sunroof?, Xenons?, LSD?, Leather?

Since I don't autocross or race my MCS, I skipped the LSD. Also going with solid paint vs metallic finish can save you $420 right off the bat.

It all depnds on your needs and budget. Then take it from there.

Last piece of advice: If you can afford new, do it by all means. The 2005 MCS is a super fun and sweet car and I find it to be even more powerful and smoother than my last MCS, a 2004 model.

 

If!!! IF, you can honestly say that I could expect to get at least 32 MPG on the highway (with tender care, of course) I think I'd lean toward the MCS. My '98 328is got that on the highway.
-I really do not drive my cars hard.
-I just like to know its there if I need it ...

I worked up a list,
No sunroof
lsd
xenon
chrono pkg
silver/blk top...

thants it, it came to just around 23,900...
Is there any difference in price- one dealer to another?

kutch

 

Fuel economy in the MCS settles down after 5K miles or so. I did manage to get 34MPG highway out of my 2004 MCS. I however, expect a bit lower MPG figures in my new '05 MCS due to the gearing changes.

Fuel usage is dependent on how heavy your foot is at the accelerator and your driving habits/environment in general.

Nice spec....

 

S !

- gas savings will be insignificant when viewed overall, you still gotta buy premium, you'll push the MC harder, MCS has 6 gears so will compensate for mileage at freeway speeds
- on the freeway the xtra ponies will be appreciated
- buy new, I also got a "base" S with only premium pkg and am pleased with it (btw, I've had 2 MCs & 1 other S)

 

I drive my car like a rental go-kart - hard cornering, track days, and and redlines are the standard - and I've still got an average 26 mpg over the past few months

I'd never trade down to an MC, but that's just my personal preference. The aggressive look, great speed, and respect are all well worth the added expense

 

I've owned both a Cooper and the MCS. I get comparable mpg in the S. I suggest test-driving both and see which feels best to you. Also, the sport seats are A MUST! I didn't have them in the Cooper and they are really great for longer trips.:smile:

Definitely buy new, if possible, since used aren't selling for much less!

Good luck and enjoy the test-drives!


Clover

 

If those 70 miles are almost all highway, you should be able to get well into the mid 30's gas mileage. I got 37 doing 75-85 mph on a 3 hour trip. The MCS is a pretty economical car if you drive it right.

 

~1/8 back country roads
~1/8 in town
~3/4 highway

60-70 miles round trip per day...

The back country roads is where I have the most fun, cutting the twisties! The rest of the trip is either stright line boring or stop and go...

So no one answered that last question...Do all dealers sell the cars for the same price???

Thanks
Kutch

 

Everyone is getting at least MSRP for them. Some dealers are still trying to add a markup.

 

I guess buying locally is no different than traveling to some dealer in TimBuckToo...

This weekend I bring the wife car shopping. Already she has a negitive bias toward the Mini...
1st she states that it's a girl's car...
2nd thing, it looks like a bunch of clowns are going to jump out of it...

I ask her what car then do you see me driving?
Her response...The one you just sold...

I can't win...

 

Hey, I'm a commuter!!!!!!

First of all, I have a friend who has several fully restored classic Minis. His new daily driver?.......a PW Cooper CVT! One of my co-workers has a CVT, too (and I got to drive it the other day)...great combo if snarled traffic is part of your commute.

My MINI?? A nice, light, simple Cooper with nice, light, simple 7-hole wheels....very frisky w/ those light wheels. I did also get sport seats, a leather steering wheel, and fogs.....then tweaked things up a bit with a brake-light mod and a few other bits. Excellent little commuter car. Pure motoring fun.

I was considering getting an '05 Cooper at one time and ran through the specs....found out I'd go for the same thing all over again!!! (yup, I just kept my Cooper.)