I would really hesitate to recommend an S to a fresh driver, a little too much scope for getting into trouble. I would totally recommend a "JustA" to a fresh driver.

 

is a mcs not a ferrari. you can kill yourself with a mc or a mcs.

 

Maybe we can all just accept our differences in opinion. Ultimately, if the OP just drives both, she will be able to decide for herself... unless she is too scared off by the adamant opinions presented here, and just buys a VW Rabbit instead.

Realistically, I think it all depends on what you expect from the car. If it is your only vehicle, and you enjoy spirited driving, by all means, the S is the car to go. On the other hand, if sporty motoring is not as important as just having a cool car or, if it is just another vehicle in your stable (with other, much faster cars) go with the Cooper, and enjoy the design and great handling.

There are definitely many ways to pick and choose a MINI, which is a GOOD thing.

 

+1 DSC - good thing. And if you get the justaCooper, you can get that and nav. and mod the driver. Fortunately, it's the OP's prerogative to decide what is appropriate. All we can do is opine and give hearsay. After all, it is the OP's money. That said, the street survival program is worthwhile IMHO.

 

Hmm, the S is a lot of engine, especially for a first-time driver. But you never know until you try. Test drive both and decide.

RE: insurance, I'm not even sure insurance companies distinguish between MC and MCS. All I know is that my insurance went up $10/month over my last vehicle, a Mazda Protege 5 (i.e. not exactly a sports car). This is with State Farm. Makes me believe that there is no difference.

One thing worth mentioning is yeah, Coopers are very customizable, so I would rethink the Navi young jedi (and congrats on your new drivers license). Look into the Convenience package!

All said, definitely get a MINI mini mouse. All the responses, arguments, etc. just means that people care. One thing's for sure -- everyone here has a MINI

 

Mini Mouse
1. test drive both (I suggest standard no automatic unless your driving is in the city traffic) see what you like best
2. get DSC
3. check insurance cost
4. check your budget - besides mo. payments and insurance keep a little extra for simple little MODs you will end up in getting
5. extra money ? before getting a NAV ($2,000) enroll in a driving school
(BMW clubs have cheap classes around the USA) to learn how to handle the car )

Get the MINI and .. Happy Motoring

 

I've had factory installed nav systems in my last three cars (Lexus, MB, and Acura). So here's a couple of insights you might find useful. When you first get one, it is a great toy, and you'll play with it. After a few weeks, not so much. After a few months, only when you need it. I doubt if I use my current one more than a few times a year - when I don't really know how to get somewhere.

These factory units have a couple of real drawbacks. First, they tend to cost about $2,000, or more. Second, the ones that I've had get upgraded maps only when you buy a new map DVD from the dealer. They tend to cost $450 - $500, and if you are lucky will come out about once a year. I live in an area with a lot of ongoing development, and that isn't nearly often enough.

So, fast forward to the present. My wife did not have a nav system in her car, and recently ordered another car (not a MINI) where, because of limitations in the dashboard, she was forced to choose between a sat radio / 6 CD player on the one hand, or the nav system on the other. I ordered a Tom Tom unit from Amazon for her to play with, to see which she wanted. $150 delivered, and with free map updates for a month. A nice small unit that fits easily into her purse, including the built-in mounting gizmo. A unit that you can update online for about $75 or $80 whenever you want. That you can program your trip into while you are sitting in your living room, instead of in your car while it is running. Very slick little item. My wife's immediate reaction was she liked the portable nav a lot and that she'd rather "have tunes" instead of a factory nav.

A couple of weeks later, I was bitten by the MINI bug. To be blunt, I am an old fart that can afford to buy pretty much whatever I want. I did not order factory nav in my new MINI this time around. Why? Because this little Tom Tom unit is a much better solution. I'm going to buy a second one for my MINI. And I can also afford to NOT spend the extra $2,000 on this; instead, I'll keep in my pocket and spend it frivolously on something else - perhaps a new camera lens that I have been eyeing.

So. Whether you opt for the Cooper, or the Cooper S, save your money and get an aftermarket nav system - Garmen, Tom Tom, or other - go to Best Buy or wherever and check them out. You'll get a unit that does just as good a job as the factory units, that you can update for far, far less, and you'll save a lot of money when buying the system itself.

One other thought - you say you're going to primarily use your MINI to drive to school. After you drive to school once or twice, my guess is that you'll know the way there, and wouldn't be using the nav system anyway. Which is another reason to not get the factory unit.

A last thought - the person who suggested that you get stability control gave you some very good advice. I'd suggest you skip the nav, get the DSC, pocket the difference, and get an aftermarket nav system if you really want one. You'll still come out way ahead.

 

I guess when someone is asking for advice, the posters should put themselves in the OPs shoes, and not rehash a justification of what they bought.

So here goes, for a new driver, going to school, I think a MC would be a GREAT choice. cheaper to operate, insure. Still a ton of fun to drive.

The NAV question is much harder to answer. Save the 2500 (2K for NAV +500 for required AC upgrade) for a downpayment on a house, if you can live with a garmin.. NAV map updates are much cheaper on an aftermarket unit than on the MINI unit as well. Add to that the $3K you save on a MC and you have $5500 ready for your next "big" purchase, whatever that may be (school loans?)

 

in your situation, I'd get the cooper, skip the nav, and use that $2000 on a portable nav and other options on the car, like:

Leather, wheels, xenons, dsc, aero kit, aux. lamps, whatever floats your boat.

I'm of the school of thought that the $2000 in car nav is REALLY not worth it.

 

$2k for factory nav? wow. That's a set of coilovers right there! Mini does make a Nuvi mount. so a Garmin Nuvi might be a great buy in comparison.

I think we scared off the OP.

 

I got the MC with auto, Dsc, standard wheels and Nav. I love it, no regrets. By the way, the higher compression engine in the MC is no sloutch at the redlight. Besides you get a spare tire with it. No runflats, a softer ride and better gas mileage.

 

Go for the cooper with navi i just did and have no regrets

 

I got the MCS with manual, DSC, 17" wheels and no nav. I love it, no regrets. By the way, the turbo in the MCS gives you great acceleration through all gears . Besides you get runflats with it. No need for a spare, a sportier ride and great gas mileage for the performance you get.