As I've said before I've missed my '05 S drop-top since I traded it in and now I'm looking at another one. But I am also checking my options which are:

1. MINI Hardtop
2. Audi A3 - extra set of doors and great mpg with the TDI
3. Mini Countyman - also has that extra set of doors and is still kinda a MINI
4. Used Porsche 911 (or maybe even a Cayenne) - always wanted one but trading years in age for price point
5. 1 series BMW - kinda like the quirky lines but optioned up gets expensive quick


So, besides the home field advantage, what do you think of these choices?

TIA,
Tony

 

I really wanted a 1 series before I bought this MINI. Insurance was crazy expensive at 20 yrs old. =\

Hardtops - are a blast
Countryman - is different from other vehicles and neat in my opinion
A3 - would be convenient and spacey, but sort of blends in a crowd if you ask me
Porsche - no opinion. Nice vehicles. Probably expensive maintenance

 

What do you want? Fast, bland, neat? It really depends on what fits your life. But it sounds like you already made up your mind, get the hardtop.

 

agreed with Porthos. Go with what you already are set on. If you're leaning towards it, just bite and get a great vehicle.

 

On the surface it may seem an apples to apples comparison, but all very different vehicles in my mind. If you are trying to return to your MINI roots, go with the S or JCW hardtop with the "pano" sunroof and whatever options your heart desires and wallet can afford. The Audi is a very nice car, but the slightly larger size and the TDI make it a different beast. While it is bigger, rear seat room is still pretty cramped. If rear seat room is required, I'd go with a Clubman, again either S or JCW. With regard to the Countryman, yes it's a MINI, but I am not a fan. My wife liked the bigger size of the Countryman and tried to talk me into buying one instead of my MCS, but really I can't see the point. I'd much rather have an X3 or the A3. With regard to the Porsche, that's in another ballpark. You said yourself it would be an older one with high mileage to afford it. Well, if that's the only way to afford a Porsche, you can't afford one. Some folks talk about the expense of MINI service. The cost of Porsche service makes MINI service look like a bargain. Finally, with regard to the BMW 1 Series - it is a great vehicle and I almost went that way. Like you mentioned, they get pretty expensive optioned out and I just couldn't cost justify it with the options I would have wanted compared to my MCS.

I love my MCS more and more each day. My only regret is not getting the JCW, but that's only every once in a while, and that fades quickly when I remember I have an extra $6K in my pocket by choosing my MINI Cooper S.

 

True enough that Mini is leading the hunt. Wish I could get a JCW but wife can't drive a stick so she vetoes anything manual :(

Meant to throw out another one for discussion - the Fiat 500. Only mention it because the top gear guys seem to like it.

As regard to S, JCW, Just a cooper: I'm leaning towards getting a base but I'm going to have to test drive it first. I'd get all the suspension upgrades I could get. I always enjoyed the cornering more than the acceleration - less tickets that way.


I'd look at another convertible except: the open meter is silly and I'm thinking of either keeping the Jag XJS I'm driving now for covertible duty and/or getting a used Espirit in a few years as a weekend car.

 

I've driven one and I can say my old Ford Festiva was more fun to drive.

 

Ummm... Couldn't you get an automatic MCS with paddle shifters and get MINI to install the JCW parts you want (engine components, brakes, exhaust, etc)?

 

A3 really is just too bland IMO... If you can afford it, get the Cooper/clubman s. It is well worth the premium! Regarding autobox and jcw, you can always just add the jcw pkg later unless you need the cost rolled into the auto loan/lease. I have mixed feeling about the porsche unless it is a cayman.


With respect to the manual... Does your wife just not like manuals or physically not capable? Reason I ask is because my wife is not a fan... she just wants to keep things easy. Needless to say we are getting a manual on our jcw and she will have to practice or just not drive the car :-)

 

The 1M... Done.

 

Read an article comparing it to the M3 in a car magazine recently. Not bad but doesn't fair well in price and performance compared to it's big brother.

 

I think everyone can agree the M1 and M3 are outstanding vehicles, but seriously you can buy two MCS's for the price of an M1 and three MINI's (one for every mood) for the price of an M3. Of course if budget isn't an issue, I'd put the P cars back into consideration. A Cayman S, M1 or M3 would be nice (I'd go Cayman S) if I didn't have to write the check. Unfortunately, I did have to write the check, which is why the Pepper White MCS is in my driveway - no regrets.