Posted same thing on H-T on the ITR forum-
ITR=Integra Type R for those that do not know.:smile:

I know, I know its a compare thread between 2 cars, and probably the out come might have some favorism. But say you could pick between a 06 Mini Cooper S or ITR.
The mini cooper would have:
Harman Kardon audio- 8 speakers
Leather interior with cloth inserts
Limited slip
Premium package which I'm debating on(-On board PC, Moonroof, multifunction steering wheel, auto AC)
Sport Package (DSC, Hoodstripes, HID's with power washers, Front fogs, and ugly 17inch wheels which I'd probably sell for some 17x7 or 16x6.5 Rota's anyway)

I've thought about a new WRX, used STi, or Evo, as well as a newer E36 M3-98/99. Evo interiors, fit and finish of the car, paint, reliablity, and engine soundness (loud lifter tapping sounded like a diesel sort of).... didn't cut it for me.
used STi for under 25,000 I'm still thinking of, or new WRX, or newer E36 which I'm sure when maintainence comes around would bite me in the ***.

I've gotten to toss around a SRT4 in a parking lot, Integra GSR, WRX, and cooper. Cooper and Integra felt planted to more of my driving habits.

I took care of a friend's WRX for some time and its interior was just :| after sitting in a cooper. With the WRX's shaking dashboard, flimsy interior materials and the worn and torn carpet for a car with only 16,000 miles :thumbdown: and with the AC on the engine was sorta on ashma mode. I'm not sure about the 2.5 since it has more torque though. But I sat in a new 05 WRX sometime ago and car was a lot better interior-wise.

The SRT 4 was ok mechanically but design wise :thumbdown:. The interior made me feel like I was in a rubbermaid container :thumbdown:, with the A/C on the car wasn't really hesitaing. Car did understeer a bit... But SRT wasn't me..

My friend with the Cooper is the one who got me into photography. He's getting a new 06 John Cooper Works MCS. So I should be able to toss that around as well in a few months. When did several track days (on Parada spec 2 tires) with his MC even though that car was underpowered it handeled incredibly well and passing a E36 M3 in a turn was just =) ..

Then to the integra I know I'm sorta comparing a GSR to an ITR here... even after 8 years my other friends 97 GSR was stil in awesome condition =) .. No rattles. tares, and seats still look in =) condition. Paint wasn't thin like a WRX or evo either.

What ever I get in the up comming months needs to be in one sound piece for about 8 years, with monthly autocrossing, taking it to one HDPE event a year ect...

So I guess its come down to ITR, WRX(new), Used STi, or Mini Cooper S...

may look at a (E46)330ci, 98/99 E36 M3 ,Mazda Speed Protege, or used RX8.
new civic seems appealing as well.

 

where do you live? Are you talking about the old bug-eye ITR?

We don't have a RSX shape TypeR here in the US, so just wondering.

 

I live in the US in CA, near LA to be exact... More exact is I live within a football field distance from South Bay Mini. .

I'm talking about a 00-01 ITR (DC2 chassis).. I'd look at the 98's but I like the 2000-01 features more. But insurance is a concern as well. Even the ITR forum guys say the MCS or type R aren't bad choices and nearly equal :smile:

 

Hmmmmmm,

Guess what the answer would be?

Move on

honestly, you have a lot of options to choose from, I would even consider a 2001-2002 E46 M3, they are going down in price (new V8 is on the way, old bodystyle)... How about an Audi TT (2000 to 2003, will be in the price range)? Or a 2004 350Z? See things are getting more confusing now

Ohh, forgot about the Porsche Boxter 1999-2002.

You may wanna check the threads on this issue, I am kind of new, but I already saw thousands of threads and sub-discussions on this issue. But like you said, it will pull a lot of favortism.

I say, MCS with sport package and MFSW, H/K, LSD, and then some mods. You will have a bad@$$ ride, and your friends will envy you in their poor Hondas

Good Luck

 

Why not 06 MCS or 06 Civic Si. That will be much interesting.

 

I wouldn't buy an ITR in SoCal unless I had a garage to keep it locked up in.

 

The ITR is a nice car no doubt about it. But it is also a "semi race" car so while it drives great on the track, it can sometimes get frusturating on the street. You have to think what car do I want to live with. It is a tough call. The ITR may be a little quicker off the line than a stock MCS. A JCW MCS should keep up off the line. As far as around corners, that is tough as well. The ITR is a great handling car. There are also much more third party upgrades for the ITR than the Mini. The mini overall I think is a little more refined than the ITR. And again quality is a tough one since the ITR is a typically well built Acura (although it does only meet Acura's '01 quality and not quite as nice as the RSX right now).

Maybe if you explain a little more in what you want to do with the car, we might be able to provide a little more ideas.

 

o6' MCS would be a nice choice (the BEST choise in my opinion ) But the honda civic si seems to be be really nice aswell, limited slip defrentiels - 6 speed - 200hp - redlines at 8000 rpm as an alternative

 

The Type-R's is a wonderful car. I cannot say enough good things about them. I used to autocross one fairly regularly. The only downsides is that they are really a street legal race car - loud, bumpy, raw, etc. But then that's what makes them fun I used to have an Integra GSR. The Type-R is sprung MUCH more stiffly than the GSR. And it's louder


My Mini, however, with the SS+, rides quite harshly, too, on par with the Type-R as far as uncomfortable-ness goes.

I'd rather have a Type-R, but the problem is that they haven't been made for about 5 years now, and they never made that many to begin with (maybe 5000 total over the 4 years of production). So finding a nice Type-R may be a lot more work than just going down to a Mini dealer and placing an order. Also, if you have a Type-R, the question is "when" will it get stolen, not "if" it will get stolen. If you don't have a garage, don't even consider the R. Period.

Anyhow, I really like my Mini. If you can't have a Type-R, a Cooper S w/LSD is probably the next best thing.

 

that car (DC2) has the highest theft rates in the US right now...
considering that, i wouldn't get it unless it was your weekend
car.

LA....

 

Theft won't majorily really be a big role for another year after I get the car and start going to UCLA or USC(what I hope to go to). I've thought about throwing a used STi into the choice as well. What I want to do with the car is start out in AS(for the STi obiously) or DS/GS for the ITR/MCS/WRX and auto X it monthly and do one or two or 3 you know how you start off with one and expand the list of events . Looking at the track in CA most are small and the MCS should be able to do a good job, but Laguna Seca= for the ITR, as it drive very well stock there.

No way no how would I want to fall into the civic crowd and I'm not a fan of the honda K series

 

I was thinking the same route.. As fun as the STi is, sure it may be a big powerful car but what's the point if I'm not using the car to 100% of its abilities. I'm not becoming a better driver, just using the car. Mini, Type R, or 06 WRX I'll be able to gradually use 100% of the car then add to the car

 

What about a used '02 S2000? You can probably get one for under 25K with decent mileage. Seems as though it should fulfill your needs and also have the top down experience that you need to have in Cali!!


Has a lot more power than either of the other cars and handles great!! Though you do have to keep it above 5K at all times to extract all that power...

 

I'd need a 4+ seater... If I'd want a 2 seater I'd go with a CRX and fully auto X prep it :smile: ..I'd be a awesome track car as well

 

Another thing thats frowning upon the STi/WRX its ac clutch/compressor problem.. The stalls in traffic with the load on the engine(not on high but in the setting before the middle setting)... Goes braaa braap silent I guess the mini/ITR is in the lead

 

Locally, in the DC region Solo2 world, GS (MCS) is usually faster than DS (ITR land). Maybe the ITR is faster than a stock MCS in a straight line, maybe the MCS handles better. For my money, I'd go with the newer car, the MCS. I have never driven an ITR, and I'm sure there brilliant cars - but you are still paying 20K for a 5 year old Integra. The ITR's are thief magnets. Many Mini dealers - like Mini of Towson in Maryland - actively support motorsports, and dealer installed performance parts (at least at Towson) do not void your warranty - and Mini pays contingency money for National tour wins. Potentially faster car, with a warranty, less likely to walk off at night, better factory support – for me it seems like an obvious decision.

 

I'm not trying to be a "spoiled brat/whining 16 year old" but my uncle (well not really an uncle but I've known him since I was 3 and my dad's the one who stabilized him financially 14+ years ago) who I did legal paperwork/paper work/ect(he's not good with english)...Well he's becoming an ***/moron ever since he bought a gas station and his payroll/income has been coming in. So now I'm doubting wheather I'll be able to get some of my salary from him. ... If I can't I'll see what I can buy and mostlikely it'll be a well SCCA prepped CRX or salvage title and rebuilt R..

Rant: Below

Never trust anyone even those who are almost family..Damn I wasted a lot of my hours doing stuff for him(some times staying up past midnight on. I could easily as well screw him up I have his SSN/ paypal accounts but I'd never do that (I'm not that kind of person)... I sorta pissed my little sister off well while he was eating at our house like usual(done that for the past 13 years)..And well my sister whined about me not baking it to the perfect point and he tossed the plate on the floor and said shut up to my little sister... Then I told him not in a smart alek attitude of any sort about how my sister spilled a cup of water on his carpet and he got pissed off. He told me to shut up and stay quiet or he'd be yelling at me next. Then I told him how our real uncles never blame us in that attitude and he just shut up and left.

 

Um...

I think on the GRM message boards, some guy in Canada (Vancouver) was selling four ITR rolling chassis.

Here it is: http://www.grmotorsports.com/board/v...&highlight=itr

Make that four "shells", not "rollers". Perhaps that's a bad idea..

Want an inexpensive car that handles very well and is a great autocross car? 94-97 Miata. Takes awhile to pick up speed, but handles very well - lots of fun to be had in ES.

 

Yes the shell is a ok, but I'd rather buy a roller missing some stuff and not everything

 

Keep in mind that the ITR is likely to get stolen or stripped for parts. 3 of my friends had ITRs, they all got stolen and were never seen again. The parts on the TypeR cars are literally almost = to cash since it's so easy to liquidate everything on them to the ITR fanboy crowd.

 

All of the ITR guys I know keep their cars in a garage. On the street, you may as well leave the keys in the ignition - someone is going to take it.

With a Mini Cooper S - you do NOT have that problem at all, MCS's insurance is lower for a good reason..

 

Yes that is true