I also have a Justa. This thread is great!!! Love all the input!! Makes me feel so good about my choice!!

 

Nice to see I didn't make a "lame" choice!!!!!!

 

Nothing lame about any Mini. If you'll notice, there are several people on this thread including myself that either currently have or recently had cars with more horsepower than even a JCW and we're all very happy with our non-S minis.

 

I drove both before buying mine. Theres nothing wrong with the non-S. Make no mistake however, its noticeably slower in a straight line. 60hp and 60tq in a car this light is no small amount. I could be happy with a standard MINI, but the "S" fell right into the target budget and I certainly don't regret it when I nail the gas. If I wanted a vert, I probably would have done the standard model to offset the cost. The "S" isn't close to the 500hp Mustang I had recently, but it sure is more fun in the twisties than the stang.

 

Or more simply, if you have 15" wheels you have regular tires, if they're 16" or bigger its runflats.

 

The only thing I don't love about my justa is answering the "is it an S?" question all the time. Though I've stopped answering with the typical "no its just a standard one" and have started to use "nope, it's a justa!"

 

When I bought my S in November the difference between a comparably equipped Base and a S was about $3000. 60 more HP, LOTS more torque, larger front brakes, 1.8 seconds quicker 0 to 60, 126 vs 141 top speed, numerous appearance features (Spoiler, alloy pedals, Standard front fog lamps, standard sport seats, ) well, all that for $3000 just was too good a deal to pass on.

 

I too think you have answered your question in your string title, "Settling for the Non-S?" If you purchase a Justa and you feel you have "settled,' you may come to regret it.

My MINI is mainly my car. When we were test driving MINI's, and we drove them all, I wanted the "S" for many reasons, some silly. I wanted the sport stripes, which look best on the "S" because of the hood scoop and center dual exhaust; and I liked the performance. But I told my wife I would rather have the Justa and save money. She "convinced" me that I would regret that decision and I should get the "S". I said, "Well, if you really think so, I'll get it."

I love it.

 

Justa over an S plus list:

Much better MPG.
More comfy ride.
Real spare.
Price.

Minus list:
Little less peppy merging etc.

 

I have owned two Justas and an S. The difference in gas mileage between my manual basic MINI and an auto S is astounding - around 13 mpg for me in countryside driving. It's even more on the interstates. If you go for the regular MINI, go manual. I stupidly traded my manual one in on a Justa with automatic. The auto transmission sucks. It kills your mpg and feels like your dragging something behind you.

 

Thanks for the input guys! Muchly appreciated.

While mpg is something important, it's not a huge factor I'm looking into. At least in terms of comparing MINI models/trims. Mostly because any MINI gets better mileage than my previous Jeep Liberty Renegade. Fun, but horrid on gas.

I found a 2009 MCS, 11,000 miles for under 22k. Certainly going to check it out. It's used, but if it's like new I have no problem with that!

 

One thing I noticed on my automatic is that you can improve gas mileage by using manual/steptronic mode and keeping the shift points below 3000 rpm. By the time I hit 40 mph I'll be in 5th gear and my mpg gets substantially better. If I use it in automatic mode, not so much.....

 

There is definitely a HUGE difference, it just depends on what aspects are worth it to you. When I got my 07 non S, I was too young to test drive so I never got to try and S, plus I couldn't afford it anyway. At the time, that car was plenty powerful for me, though I did have to rev the heck out of it to get that power. Now I got an 11 S and it is a completely different beast. There is pulling power in any gear, at any rpm. Used to on the highway if I needed to accelerate from 60, I'd have to drop to 4th, if not 3rd, to get anywhere. On the S, I can literally stay in 6th and still pull. City driving this thing is just a rocket without having to abuse it, which the non-s required if you wanted to accelerate fast.
I can also feel the tighter suspension in turns. The brake ducts looks sick. The new exhaust burbles and pops make me giggle all day haha

It really just depends if those features are something you like and would rather have or not have for the next 3+ years

 

Don't forget to try and haggle with the dealers. They are still struggling for business, that's why they have 3 types of incentives lately. I got my 11MCS MSRP $26,300 for $23,500. So for a small amount more, or maybe the same price as the used if you get a base S, you can have brand new, only your miles/driving habits, and full warranty. Plus with 0.9% you get more car instead of wasting it on interest rates
Just my 0.02

 

1 I get 29-31 mpg commuting to work in my MCS
2 ride? No difference, same suspension
3 I'll give That one
4 price? $3000 or so but you get a LOT more
No , a LOT less peppy

 

Driving up long and/or steep mountain grades with a full load is a challenge for a Cooper. Therefore, if you enjoy downshifting to 'make the grade,' the Cooper is fine. For level roads and light loads, the Cooper has enough power.

 

A Justa can get 40 MPG. We see 33 on a trip in our S.

Same suspension, but those thicker Justa seats and non-runflat tires make for a HUGE comfort difference.

Justa's were not even on our radar so we never test drove one. Then we had a Justa loaner for 2 days and it rode like a Cadillac in comparison.

 

To the OP, here is my input. I was in a similar situation as you, looking and trying to decide between an S and a Justa. I went with the Justa for the following reasons, and I don't think I "settled" at all.

1) The price was absolutely right on the Justa. It fit the budget, and I got my MINI, talk about Win-Win.
2) 98% of my driving is between stoplights so the S would have been almost pointless (for me). By the time I got to use the turbo, I'd be stopping again.
3) Yes, I test drove both, and yes the S has a LOT more pep. I would certainly be just as happy with an S, but I love my Justa. I have been tracking my mpg (which is a little important to me) and this last fill up broke the 30mpg mark, with all city driving. I got 31.94 mpg on my last fill up.

You will certainly love whichever you choose, but don't think getting a non S is settling, it isn't. Even sans turbocharger, this is the most fun car I have ever owned! Someday I may spring for an S, but for now I am super happy with my beloved Justa. But as others have stated, drive em both, then decide if the extra HP is what you want.

Good luck on your choice, and looking forward to welcoming you to the MINI family.

 

I would like to see the reviews that place the S in the same class performance wise as a stock Honda civic. Switching from a Honda civic to a Cooper S I can say they are completely different cars. The S is MUCH more powerful and performs on a different level than a civic. The MINI vs. Porsche test will show you the level a stock S can perform on. Yes the MINI may have come 2 seconds behind the Porsche but the civic wouldn't have even come close to that number. I would guess 10-15 seconds or more behind the Porsche. Not sure what S you drove but the difference between the regular cooper and the S is pretty significant. After your 300 hp saturn you may be desensitized to performance cars with sub 300 hp. I had an M roadster and when I first owned it, it felt like a rocket after a year or so it still felt quick, but I was just used to how putting the peddle down felt and wasn't as impressed as I had been.

To the OP, its up to you, decide what you can afford and what you would actually use. Buy what you want and don't look back. If your a car enthusiast and you settle for something you don't want you will probably not be happy after a few months. For me it was an S or nothing, I couldn't do without the extra performance and wouldn't have been happy.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_C...6.E2.80.932011

It is also the quickest Civic Si off the line, with a factory 0–60 time of 6.7 seconds according to Honda, but with some tests posting times as quick as 6.3 seconds.

http://www.edmunds.com/mini/cooper/2011/


The Cooper S has a turbocharged version of the same engine good for 181 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque (192 lb-ft at full throttle thanks to an overboost function). Mini estimates 0-60 mph acceleration in 6.6 seconds for the manual and 6.8 seconds for the automatic.


btw, I agree that after driving the Sky Redline, I was desensitized and the Mini S's 180hp didn't seem all that impressive to me. That's why I mentioned that to me personally, the cost to performance ratio wasn't where I needed it to be to justify spending another 3K. Although a sub 7 second 0-60 is certainly respectable and a lot of fun in its own right and for all I know, someday I may wake up and decide that I want a turbo Mini.

 

While the cooper IS fun to drive I personally love being pushed back into the seat during acceleration.

My first was a modified S, then a modified JCW, and now I'm about to be back in a S. I did consider a cooper for the outstanding gas mileage but I've been averaging 31-33 in my JCW anyway.

 

After owning a MCS for almost 2 months my wife and I became addicts. For me the MINI reminded me of when I was young and stupid and raced around on a crotch rocket. The driving is awesome and then the local MINI club meetings and discussion on mods made me feel like I owned a Harley again.

So.....it soon happened that we began to toy with the idea of trading in the wife's SUV on a mini clubman. I labored long and hard on weather or not to save money and increase reliability by going with a Non-S. I test drove both and came up with the following reasons to go with an S for the Clubman. I know you are not looking at a clubby so your needs are different, but they are very similar cars.

1. I cannot stand the non-aggressive looking front end on the 2011 Justa...love the brake ducts!

2. The clutch on the justa engages waaaay at the top and felt spongy

3. I figured (maybe wrong) the S would have better resale value

4. We live in the hot south....with the Airconditioning on, two adults and 2 mountain bikes on the rear I was sure the Justa would drive a lot differently then the cool spring day I tested it.

5. My wife is not a super aggressive driver so when we start to do club drives, I imagine she will lay back a hair in the turns, but needs an S to close the gap on the straights.

6. I LOVE the pop and burble on the S and so does she, even adding a cat-back exhaust will give it that mean, low growl

7. If you ever decide to customize your MINI there are a lot more things for an S, IMHO

8. I plan on dropping $2500 on the 100K bumper to bumper warranty for the clubman so I wasn't worried about costs to upkeep 2 "S" models. I know it will not be cheap, but we are alost 40 and at a time when we can finally afford to own a perfomance type car, even if its not the cheapest.

Good luck with your choice, I am sure you will love both

 

Ah ok the Civic SI. The civic SI is not even the same car in my mind, 197hp vs. 130-140ish standard civic, completely different motor and suspension. Granted I have driven the new SI and I think the cooper S is way more fun, but I may be biased. The SI actually starts at $7k higher than the regular civic and the regular civics are gutless. MINI ftw!

 

I am currently in a 2011 Clubman and I regret it after having once owned a 2007 Cooper S. I really miss the turbo! I might be at a little disadvantage having installed 17" wheels and runflats on the Clubman but I wanted the look and feel they provided. If I could start over, I would get the S.
Good luck with your choice. You certainly have received lots of opinions here!

 

As an addendum to my pro-justa post, I should admit I may end up trading up to an S at some point, but only if I can get a new one with a factory warranty. Maybe a JCW Coupe is in my future.