Hi, as I said before I am still deciding on the MINI Cooper. Yesterday we went car shopping and test drove a few of them. The one impressed me more was the Civic SI 2003 from Honda, this car feels like rocketship, super sturdy, fast and clean design. Also the Honda quality it's impecable, it's has been like that forever,every single article saids that it has one of the best engines Honda has ever made, with 160hp, 2.0 engine and all options all standard, electric sunroof, CD/6 speakers, Recaro seats/suede, more trunk space, airbags/front and side, 5 speed close ratio, etc....
I am a bit confused now, The MINI or the CIVIC SI which one to get? They are similar price, both of them are built in England, they are fast, etc...... What struck me most was the cuteness of the MINI, although I wonder if the style would be overdue on a few years!?!, you know like the VW beetle, or the PT cruiser that people were paying over $5000 and being in the waiting list for months and moths.I drove the MINI last weekend and YES I like a lot, the interior is very sporty and cool looking! It feels just like Project ghotam! It's just like driving a little toy

I don't know.....please some help........please!!!!!!

 

For me, sitting inside the car is the place where I want to enjoy it - and Hondas just look too dull. MINIs are stunning inside!

Pedal to the metal, the MINI probably has better handling, but Honda engines are good (the Honda will probably beat the MINI on MPG too, if my wifes old Accord is any indication).

More passenger space in the Honda, and certain good resale (MINIs still unknown long term).

But what about the pure FUN!

Always your choice in the end :smile:

 

Hey there,
I have owned several Hondas, including an accord, prelude, and civic. All were reliable, but none stopped traffic anything like the MIni. I'd think that with such limited supplies to the US, it would be hard to make a case and compare it to the PT (Chrysler) or the Beetle. Barely a month after both were released, I began seeing many at used car lots. How many Minis have you seen?

The first thing that you are going to encounter will be countless heads turning at intersections. Then the explanations that will be necessary (From inquiring passers-by)when leaving your car for dept. stores, etc. I can't see that ending for some time. I can't remember being truly excited about a car buy after 4 1/2 months of ownership, like I am for my Mini. I still catch myself looking out of the window at it at home and at the job.

The experience of owning a MINI is really different than any I've experienced with other cars. I knew it the moment I saw the Minis parked on the lot at BMW of Nashville. I can accept the minor annoyances of first year builds-it's not a bad trade-off for the overall feeling of customer satisfaction. Best-of-luck with your decision.

Jim

 

ok ! hear is my idea on this , i am a car styalist hear in detroit and see all the laytest and greatest of designes and as a designer we have to do are homework on all cars "what makes them great" "why do people want them" lots of queschines, both are great cars ofcorse and the civics history is well known hear in the states, but in all its just another car on the road ! bmw is keeping this car a low pro. number, this car helps them on their cafe requirements so they dont get hit with all the fines at the end of the year "gas guzzling bmw's" i know im all over the bored on this but i just woke up! sorry

i have many freinds that are absolute car buffs and we enjoy are cars, we buy them purposly for their emotion they pull from us, when we look at the car we get a feeling and that feeling is why we buy the car !
its an expensive passion

 

my bad it was a golf turbo in the running , sorry still not awake

 

The Civic SI is a very nice car, but it's still a Civic...Get the MINI

 

My brother (26 years old) bought a Civic Si when they first came out. He was so stoked about getting one of these babies that he didn't wait for them to come down in price and paid top dollar. The Si is about as common in my area as a MINI (no existent), but doesn't get nearly the head turns as the MINI does. From a pure aesthetic stand point, the MINI is a far better looking car. I do not like how the stick comes out of the dash on the Si. But this said, the Si feels much more studier than the MINI. I have a MC and am very used to the way it rides, the power of the car, and the handling. Just the other day, I took a ride with him in the Si and was just amazed at the raw power this car had. Granted it may be similar to the MCS, but it has been a long time since I road in a MCS. I just know that it moved out, and sounded great. However, it did not have the cornering of the MINI.

Now that he has had this car for about one year, he still loves it. He has added an intake, and replaced the wheels. But other than that, nothing else has changed. The inside isn't as nice as the MINI, but it is clean looking and the seats are more snug than the MINIs sport seats, (maybe too snug). My brother is always telling me what a "sweet car" my MINI is. But he regrets not waiting for the lower price, and said that if he had to do it over again he would get the Acura RSX-S.

I would suggest that you compare the three. In the end, you know where we all went, and there are a LOT of people who wished that they could have a MINI in their driveway. I love my baby.

 

I was also looking at the Si. Did a pro and cons list. Came out with the Cooper'S' on top. Better handling, power, style. Depends on what YOU want the car for. Most people say to get the MINI cause it's a good attention getter. Very true. But do you really want a car just for that? Any of the 2 MINI will guarantee that. But they offer more as well. I even gave into the Cooper'S' with the nearest dealer being 4 hours away. Nearest Honda dealer is 15 minutes away. I took that chance/risk anyways. Glad I did. Love this MCS
If you get the Si, you will be looking at a better track record for reliability. And more aftermarket support, being that Hondas dominate that area quite rapidly. If you get the Si, there's an article in the Dec. issue of Sport CompactCar that shows how to swap the engine for the RSX Type'S' engine, to get 200hp. I found that it may take a little time getting used to having the stick shift on the dash though in that thing.
But you have to ask yourself what you want the car to do for you. Whether you're looking just for a comuter car to go from point 'A' to point 'B'. Or if you want a car that performs well, handles great, etc. Whether you have plans to make it into a hot rodding piece of work.
Asking the question you're asking, around this group, will find you being directed in the path of the MINI. I Don't blame them, 'cause I'm saying the same. I find it to be a truely better car. And even if the attention of that the car recieves now, dies off, it'll still be better looking than the Civic.
Cheers,

 

The choice is yours but if you buy the Honda your will be joining the rice burner group. I have not seen a network of people so in tune with each other, willing to offer help and support as the group of people that already drive MINI's, as well as those waiting to get their MINI's.

I have been on this site since November, and have been able to communicate with drivers from all of the US, Europe, and basically world wide. There are Mini-Drives planned everywhere and if you are planning to take a trip to another area, you just let someone on one of the sites know and you will find support to help you.

When you buy a MINI and start talking to others on this site you become part of a big MINI family. I think that is great, you can joke around with others here, be serious, and even ask for help and you know what you get it.

Can you say that about the HONDA Family------I think not.

What do the other family members of MCO think......

:smile: :smile: :smile: :smile: :smile: :smile:

 

That was also one of the pros to having a MINI for me. There's like only a handfull around here where I live. And like 2 are MCS's, including mine. So they are rare. But I knew that I wasn't really wanting to jumping on the Honda band wagon. They're a dime a dozen around everywhere you go. Everybody has one. There are tons of silver Integras and RSX's around. Countless Civics as well. And they seem to have all the same kind of drivers, and the same mods. Too main stream for me. I felt like being original. If you park them beside eachother, the choice will pretty much jump right out at you. MINI all the way. Start something new.
Cheers,

 

>>I am a bit confused now, The MINI or the CIVIC SI which one to get?

If you can't decide now, then go with the Civic. It's really a love or hate thing with the MINI. Either it's the only car you can think about (which it appears you don't fall into that category) , or its just another cute car (which it appears you do fall into that category). If you haven't fallen in total love with the MIN now, you probably never will. Again, go with the Civic, because if you get the MINI and have a single problem with it (cracked windshield, coolant tank, stalling, etc), then you'll be second guessing yourself all the time.

Just my 2 cents...

 

>>
>>>>I am a bit confused now, The MINI or the CIVIC SI which one to get?
>>
>>If you can't decide now, then go with the Civic. It's really a love or hate thing with the MINI. Either it's the only car you can think about (which it appears you don't fall into that category) , or its just another cute car (which it appears you do fall into that category). If you haven't fallen in total love with the MIN now, you probably never will. Again, go with the Civic, because if you get the MINI and have a single problem with it (cracked windshield, coolant tank, stalling, etc), then you'll be second guessing yourself all the time.
>>
>>Just my 2 cents...


Here! Here! Total agreement from me.

 

You can get all stressed over what the media says (Sports Car International says MCS #1, SVT focus #2, VW GTI #3, Si #4) This is simlar to my personal feelings. I wouldn't touch the Si just cuz I think it's dead ugly. I can't stand the interior in the SVT. I like the GTI, but it doesn't have the raw fun of the MCS. The RSX-s is also a good all-around car - look into that. It looks good, handles good (and you'll pay$$ for it too)

the breakdown:
Honda Civic Si: green-thumbed rice-boy, these 15's are just until I get my 18's from Discount Tire next month.
MINI Cooper S: look at me! I'm retro and fun! Oh yea, my car is made by BMW
Acura RSX type-S: I'm a knowledable rice-boy, who needs sound insulation when I have 200Hp

 

Hi gito, I forgot to welcome you to the MCO!

I checked out your web page and was stunned by your photographs.

BTW, after reading the comments from others, where are leaning towards?

 

>>For me, sitting inside the car is the place where I want to enjoy it - and Hondas just look too dull. MINIs are stunning inside!
>>

im sorry but i have to say that car designers are really not doing anything exciting with interiors (except with concept cars). i love the interior of the mini and everytime i sit in it it makes me happy...
i was at the providence car show the other day and every car i sat in had a really dull interior. especially the mercedes which pissed me off because if you're going to spend that much on a car it should have a nice interior... bmw interiors are pretty dull as well...

 

You DO realize, don't you, that asking for advice like this on a MINI website/forum is much like asking a barber if he thinks you need a haircut? What do you THINK we're going to say? My guess is you want to be convinced to get the MINI, that's why you're here.

However, I am of the firm belief that no one should be convinced to get a MINI. The car simply sells itself, draws those who understand and love it. If you're not simply IN LOVE with the MINI, my advice is to not buy it. IMO.

Needler

 

>>>>For me, sitting inside the car is the place where I want to enjoy it - and Hondas just look too dull. MINIs are stunning inside!
>>>>
>>
>>im sorry but i have to say that car designers are really not doing anything exciting with interiors (except with concept cars). i love the interior of the mini and everytime i sit in it it makes me happy...
>>i was at the providence car show the other day and every car i sat in had a really dull interior. especially the mercedes which pissed me off because if you're going to spend that much on a car it should have a nice interior... bmw interiors are pretty dull as well...

The Audi TT and BMW Z3 have a great interiors. Most luxury cars have conservative interiors because the buyers are older. For the most part they are very nice & very luxurious but dull because they don't want to put off too many potential buyers. Of course I'm not their target demographic anyway. Did you check out the new Nissan's & Infiniti's? Not as exciting as the MINI interior but much more interesting than it's competitors.

 

>>>>
>>>>>>I am a bit confused now, The MINI or the CIVIC SI which one to get?
>>>>
>>>>If you can't decide now, then go with the Civic. It's really a love or hate thing with the MINI. Either it's the only car you can think about (which it appears you don't fall into that category) , or its just another cute car (which it appears you do fall into that category). If you haven't fallen in total love with the MIN now, you probably never will. Again, go with the Civic, because if you get the MINI and have a single problem with it (cracked windshield, coolant tank, stalling, etc), then you'll be second guessing yourself all the time.
>>>>
>>>>Just my 2 cents...
>>
>>
>>Here! Here! Total agreement from me.

Mini2Go, I totally agree with what you said, it really is a love hate relationship with the mini. Really, if you cant decide, then dont make a other future mini driver who is anxiously waiting in their "Can wait for month" club.

On a note for the civic, the SI manual with the rally shifter is downright sweet!! Something like that in a car like the cooper could be special, seeing how the mini has its roots in rally racing.

 

>>if you cant decide, then dont make a other future mini driver who is anxiously waiting in their "Can wait for month" club [suffer any more].
>>

Excellent point! Gito, are you willing to wait 3+ months for your car to come-in? Otherwise you can go to just about any Honda dealership and roll a Si out within days!

 

Your photos are wonderful, gito. 2 things re: Civic v. MINI- 1. You have an eye for form, mood, lighting, etc., very obvious when one sees your work. The MINI is conservatively 3 times the eye massage that a Civic is. In other words, no contest. If you like form over function, or any other statement related to art in life, then the MINI takes all categories here, inside and out. 2. My wife has a Honda Accord, nice car, dependable and all, which was why we got it for her. I've tried 3 or 4 time in just the last couple of months to get into someone else's car, because identical vehicles were parked very close in shopping mall lots or the like. One night, there were only about 6 cars on the lot, and I still tried to get into an identical color model Accord. It was only parked 3 spaces away- a bit scary, really. Point? Nothing very distinctive about the Honda, and they're everywhere. Your choice. Dependability v. love and emotion. I've fallen in love. Can't help myself. Hondas are great cars. MINIs are MINIs. My PS/B will be here in a couple of weeks. It's all I think about. Obsessed? Yup. Advice- if it's not love, don't do it.

 

Here's a different perspective...

Know what I think is one of the coolest things about the MINI? It's that it defies all genre. You are comparing the MINI to the Civic... yet there are people out there selling their Lexus... their Mercedes... their BMWs... their $30k SUV's... to go get themselves a MINI. I am in the "selling their BMW" catagory. I have always hated the way society stereotypes us by the car we drive... I hate it when people see me in my BMW and think I'm rich or something, or see some guy driving a Kia and think he must be poor. But with the MINI, it's catagory-less. You buy a MINI because you love your MINI... not because you couldn't afford more... not because you wanted the most expensive thing you can find... cuz its neither of those. It's not a luxury car. It's not an economy car. It's not a sports car. It's not a mid-level car, or a family car, or a car for the young, or a car for the old, or a first car or a last car. It's a MINI. It's all of those things, and none of them. It binds people together because we're all here sharing the same planet... not because of the economic class we're in, the lifestyle we live, or how fast we like to drive. That totally rocks to me, and I can't think of any other car out there that can do this.

Now by all means, that's certainly not the only reason I have a MINI on order... but several posts before this one already talk about the many others reasons why the MINI is special. I just wanted to offer a different perspective.

Bob

 

I currently drive a Honda Accord 2-Door V-6 with every option known to man. My only regret on the Honda is that I bought it on a 3 year lease so I have to return it in December.

There are several cars available on the market that will drive me to and from work with power, options, good looking wheels, for the same amount of money, etc... However, I am going to get the MINI because of the Smile Factor!

I am an healthy, active, friendly person. When I see a MINI on the street I smile and I see others smiling too! and I think, "I want that". I do not want my car to say what type of person I am. MINI doesn't put you in a catagory. It lets you be yourself!

 

Well, the Civic is a stunning design that turns heads and a design that one would never out grow....

NOT!


_
obviously this topic is just someone playing with us... What's next, "I am trying to decide on the Monte Carlo or the MINI. Help I can't decide.."
________________

http://www.syntheticwarehouse.com

 

A million Hondas.
Especially one that looks like a FORD FOCUS.

We hope you enjoy your Honda Focus.
Or
Buy the MINI.


We are bigots.

 

Depends on what you want. A car that will turn heads and create conversation or you can have a Honda which will blends into the crowd.

Which of the two cars will still bring a smile to your face and passers by in three years? It will not be the Honda.


Charles