I am a 21 year old college student, graduating in may but probably going to grad school so i'll continue to be a college student for a while. i've been researching the mini for about 6 months now and i'm ready to purchase in the next few months. however, i am stuck between getting a regular mini cooper or getting the mini cooper s.

i would like to hear from current owners on both. money isn't really a problem because the mini cooper s i priced out would be about 25900 plus ttl. however, i could totally spruce up the regular and spend way less.

what do regular cooper owners think? do you often wish you had the s?
s owners, how often are you thankful you got the s (just when you are doing around the city driving)? i'm not a mini "enthusiast". i don't speed everywhere. i like getting good gas mileage, having a smooth ride, and i basically just drive to the grocery store and school.

thanks!!

 

Lots of opinions on that question.
Read through this thread.

 

oh ok thanks!!

 

Personally, I would test drive both of them. See the difference for yourself. That might help in your decision making process.

We have always had the "S" model - no regrets. Some people like the look of the MC versus the MCS better. The MC does get better gas mileage. But then again, some people like the higher horsepower of the MCS.

So it all boils down to what YOU want...

Donna

 

I don't know what your car history is, but after getting the MINI I *do* want to drive fast everywhere. I have a MC. I must say, I really enjoy the better gas mileage, lighter car, and not having run flats. I did test drive a MCS, and I didn't feel a huge difference, but sometimes I do wish I had the extra kick.

 

I am very satisfied with the MC.I got it as the 4 seater replacement DD for my CRX.Since I got married and we need 4 seats.I didnt test drive the MCS. I wanted the better mpg,and (in my opinion) less to maintain. I'm 43 though. I don't need to go 160 mph anymore though lolI did get the chance to test drive a used Z3.I'm very glad I got the MC.I also like it very very much more than the 3 series Ihad previously.I'm also glad I got the auto (had to according to wife).But again, I'm 43 and I've been pushing the clutch a longtime.I think the MC is fast enough, particuarly compared to the CRX.But it might be a different story if I was in my 20s.When you test drive, take a full test drive of each.Like at least 30 mins, under city and hwy conditions.

 

I think you answered your own question in the last paragraph of your post:

."i'm not a mini "enthusiast". i don't speed everywhere. i like getting good gas mileage, having a smooth ride, and i basically just drive to the grocery store and school."

Sounds to me like the base Cooper will meet your criteria.

 

It sounds like your talking about the 2008 models.

I guess the MC vs MCS could still apply here. Test drive both of them and decide for yourself. Either choice would be a good one.

MCS for me.

EDIT: I Just reread your post. A MINI Cooper would suit you just fine, same class and power as a civic.

 

I would say that if you are looking for a fun commuter car that gets you from one place to another then get the cooper. If you are into cars, speed, and wouldn't mind spending a bit more I say get the S. I just got my Mini not too long ago. I had a rental 07 Mini convertable for 2 weeks and loved it. But I am a total car guy and I knew if I didn't get the supercharged 6 speed I would hate myself later. They both handle great. They both have nice looks and good gas milage. But for me I had to get the S

 

I drove both. Purchased the S. Love it.

 

I'd recommend the MC for most any driver that is younger and/or where money is a key consideration. The MC has plenty of power for normal driving, whereas the MCS is more of a "power-car". Honestly, I'd have been dangerous when I was younger with that extra power.

 

Get a MCa, You will love it.

 

Coopers have ample power for loads of fun...MCSs have more. Frankly, I would never, ever use the power of an MCS and, now on my second Cooper, have been quite thrilled with each Cooper I've owned. Coopers have the same great MINI handling, so in that departments you'd be all set. I like the way Cooper power balances w/ the rest of the car's capabilities, and that's a big strength of Coopers. The good news is that the '07-'08 also Coopers have very good fuel economy, even more torquey engine, a 6th-gear for great highway cruising...just about the perfect package, imo.

 

I was in your exact situation actually...im 19 and am in my second semester in college, research the mini for months and finally ordered...at first I simply wanted a car to get me from here to there will good fuel milage...little did I know I would start speeding, taking quick turns, and get AMAZING fuel milage haha
I have an MC (non S) and I have no regrets. There is plenty of power when you want it, and when you just want to cruise its perfect. The handling is AMAZING!! And yes I would personally say by the MC and use the rest of that money to spruce it up rather than having to go minimal with the S.

I am warning you though you will start to become an enthusiast You'll look for the longest way to places and you will start to speed, but don't worry you can control it somewhat

I say the MC is great, but to each there own

 

I bought a 2007 Mini in October and after driving it a couple of months ordered the 2008 Mini S and there is no comparison. I have a manual and on the Mini you had to shift many more times than on the S. The power of the S is great. If you want an economical car and a fun car the S is for you. If you only want the economical part; then go for the Mini.

 

I'd test drive the MC, then the MCS--in that order only. The S is so much more powerful that it's like a different car. Can you drive a stick shift? That would be a consideration, too.

It sounds like a Cooper would fit you well since you're not a car person, but my own personal opinion is that the automatic is too limited in power. Again, that's my opinion--not shared by many people. I bought a stick shift S, and LOVE it, but then again, I've been a car lady for 40+ years--I've had a long line of sports cars and sports sedans. The MINI is a car I've wanted to own since the 70's, and now I have it! But for grocery-getting and driving to school, you'd be fine with a Cooper.

 

The other up side with the 07 MC over the 07 MCS is you wont have the cold engine start up issue (that is if you live in the colder states and winter is an issue)

 

Go with the Cooper!

 

With the current trend in gas prices, the Cooper would be a good choice for a grad student who doen't have an overwhelming desire to burn up the pavement. I have an MCS and enjoy it, but I had lots of fun my previous car that had about the same 0-60 as a Cooper.

 

Took the words right out of my fingers.

Dean.

 

But that described my wife's driving style too until I got a R53. Well, after driving it herself, it became her R53.
So I had to get an R56.

Personally, and I'm not knocking anybody here, I couldn't live with a just-a-Cooper. I've driven them, given them a fair chance, but it's just too slow for my tastes.

btw -- I drove a semi-restored Torino 500 in college with straight headers, mags, jacked rear... ...very Dukes of Hazard actually...

 

I run into this a good bit in relation to which MINI driver's choose. What are your driving expectations...what to you expect/need to happen when you push the pedal down? There is a "power" thing and depending on if one is "over it" or "into it" will influence what the driver expects. The die-hard Cooper enthusiasts come from a slightly different school of thought in relation to power...not better or worse, just different. For these folks the added power holds little attraction as the handling of the car and the way one applies available power is primary. Rowing the gears and interacting w/ the car's power band is part of the fun. I come from Spitfires, Sprites and Alpines...very different driving dynamics than muscle cars. That's what I love about Coopers...the overall balance of the package.

I will say that I think the R56 MCS is now better balanced, too, specifically with the up-rated brakes. With that much power you have to consider the other factors that make the car work in relation to power. Even the first gen Coopers had good overall balance, and so does the R56 Cooper.

 

Sounds like the Cooper will be the best choice for you. Once you finish college and get that big paying job, then maybe your lifestyle will dictate that the MCS is a better choice for you.

Which begs the question... how are college students affording brand spanking new MINIs anyway ??!!?? You should be driving a 1998 Honda Civic.

 

I hate to admit my age but being over the 60 mark and a woman, I love the Mini S. I have always loved cars and this one is a beauty. It is the manual since I would not have a auto with all that power. The control you have with the stick is great. I have noticed that in town you do not have to down shift as much with the S as with the Mini.

 

Hi annasassy,

I'd probably go for the base cooper. I'm in a situation where I bought the most powerful, fastest car I could for the money. I got something called a 'mazdaspeed3' which is a fantastic car and I like it lots. Problem is, in my experience (and keep in mind, I'm much older than you, have kids, etc), the ability to accelerate extremely fast, while fun, always leaves me feeling a bit guilty and childish for some reason, and it's not the safest thing to do, either. So, I've got this wonderful performance hatchback (much faster than the mini 'S' btw) but I rarely tap the power. It does have a great suspension and I much prefer carving corners on twisty roads - to me, that's much more fun than straight line acceleration - especially with all the torque steer you get in these powerful front drivers.

I'm seriously considering trading it in for a regular mini because I've always loved those cars. In fact, I was on my way to getting one, but 'over thought' things and went for the more powerful car - the car with the better stats, which turned out to be a mistake because now I want the lower powered car!

The base cooper also gets a bit better gas mileage. That's why I'm attracted to it - cool looking, excellent handling car that gets great gas mileage and holds its value remarkably well. You can still corner and enjoy spirited drives through twisty roads, which is the real fun in my experience. I may end up trading in the 'speed3 for one before I get myself into trouble