Well, I've driven an 05 MCS for the last year and an 07 MCS for the last week or so. Due to my dealer drilling holes in my front bumper for a license plate mount (which I asked them to NOT do and was assured it wouldn't happen ) my car is in the body/paint shop.

I was given an 07 MC automatic as a loaner, and wow is it different! This car is fairly barebones, and it makes me think about all the threads/questions I see on here asking if this option or that option is worth it or not. Let me tell you, I miss having a supercharger/turbo. I miss not shifting; it doesn't even feel like I'm really driving (and don't tell me to use the paddle shifter, it is too weird). I miss my navigation. I miss my xenons (are the lights even on??). I miss my auto AC. I miss my dual sunroof. I miss my iPod adaptor. I miss the comfort access. I miss Sirius. I even miss my armrest that doesn't stay shut!

I realize that a lot of those things are optional items that I lived fine without before, and probably could do without, but I am amazed at how different the car drives without a supercharger or turbo. I hate to say it, but a "justacooper" seems so ordinary. Maybe because its automatic, or not modded in any way, but is it really fun to drive? Am I like a kid who has gotten used to a rollercoaster and now doesn't find the merry-go-round as much fun anymore? For those on the merry-go-round, have you tried the coaster? I know the cornering is still great in a MC, but I really can't wait to get my MCS back. :impatient

I'm not trying to degrade the MC or any of it's owners. I'll apologize in advance if I offended anyone, but I really don't like this MC at all (although the PW/B is pretty sweet).

 

Haven't played with the R56s enough to know, but with the 1st gens I lived just shy of the redline on the MC loaners, and drove more aggressively and would probably get into more trouble with a MC than a MCS.

As for the options, I prefer a more bare bones car, but that's a style thing.

 

Some people don't find any of those things you mentioned important. Some people just need a good, fun, economical, classy car to drive back and forth to work or school. I bet the people with the bare bones Mini's have less than half the problems of a fully optioned car too. There's a Mini for everyone!

 

While I admit that the super/turbo S's are fun as hell , I very much enjoy my '06 MC. If you keep her on 'boiling' point, she'll hold her own just fine

Plus, with my daily commute tallying 50miles, I need the extra mpg of the cooper.

Besides, going real fast in a straight line gets boring REAL quick...but a good 'ol Twisty Road going real fast NEVER gets boring !

Motor On

 

I have lots of gadgets installed so the fun factor is there. I enjoy sport mode as well. Since I have never driven a S model, I don't know what I am missing. I commute 160 miles / day 4 days/week. So gas mileage was very important. I love how my mini handles and it does have some get up and go. I bet the S has some get up and get the hell out of here. Probably best I don't drive one. Even my CHP friend couldn't save me from all those tickets

 

I've got a bare-bones 2007 MC automatic Convertable right now as a service loaner. Had a 2006 MCS auto 'vert before that.

It's defeinately a different experience... it's a cute car... but I can't wait 'till I get mine back.

 

If your auto R56 MC has a "sport" button -- press it. The reprogrammed tranny turns your drive into an entirely different experience.

 

I had an 07 MCS loaner recently. I could not wait to get Romi back. She is far more fun to drive than the MCS was.

Different strokes for different folks.

 

Yes.

 

Going from a MCS manual to an MC auto is almost exact opposite extremes. I'm not surprised you noticed a big difference. I will also say that when you drive a MINI every day, I think it tends to imprint itself on you and so getting in any other MINI feels weird....MC or MCS. That probably explains why you missed almost everything about your car.

 

I am so thankful that we found Hendrix and that my wife let me mod him up. He might be justacooper, but he is our justacooper and looks pretty cool.

Somebody will be very happy with that auto MC loaner you had!

 

You just paid how much and waited how long for your brand spankin' new MCS, Will? OF COURSE you are going to love everything about it and hate anything that isn't it.

 

the fun that comes from a mc is like a diet coke, it is ok but not quite the full flavor of the real deal IMO

 

Great analogy, but you are so about to get an earful!

 

Maybe to beat this analogy around (to death) is that justacooper is like drinking a can of Coke where an MCS is like shaking the can up and getting more carbonation. They both taste like Coke, one just has more fizz and makes your nose tingle.

 

...and you know you don't need the extra carbonization, and it'll probably kill you some day, but you just hafta have it!!!!!!!!

 

ok but that diet coke with all the cancer causing sugars will put a down a notch too

 

just kidding...

 

Like this?

 

^^ Priceless! Never saw that one before. And fitting that it's a 'justacooper'.

 

I did a drive like that commercial in my MCS and the coke can exploded before I could open it. lol just kidding I love all Minis.

 

I just got a MC- I've only been a MINI owner for a week and a half. And to be honest I was afraid to test-drive the MCS because I knew I was gonna be like Will Ferrell in Talladega Nights- I wanna go fast!- and there'd be no turning back after that. But one of the biggest reasons I went MC was the gas mileage. I work as a sustainability consultant so I had to have something good on gas! Also the Canadian government is giving what they call Eco Auto Rebates- and if you get a MC (has to be a standard- automatics don't qualify) they give you $1000. After looking at the list of 'eco autos' the MC was definitely the one that was the most fun to drive- and one of the only stick shifts on the list to boot, since hybrids are usually CVTs.

I am curious about that sport button you guys have, though... sounds like fun...

 

When we first picked up the loaner, I tried the sport button while we were on the interstate, and it seemed like all it did was make the RPMs higher. Today though, while driving to work on city roads, I tried the sport button again, and it really did make it different! So, I can see how an MC can be fun; it was like a totally different car.

 

$1000 bucks huh, that would be nice !

 

So, while I wait, maybe I'll start drinking soda...