Had a justa for a loaner and could not wait to get back in the JCW!The worst was getting dusted by a Kia Soul on the way back to the dealership to return it.

 

A stock S/JCW will get dusted by a number of family sedans, V6 Mustangs, etc., too.

Point being, if you're buying a MINI because it's fast in a straight line, you bought the wrong car.

 

The Soul dusted the justa thru 2 brick roundabouts then a 90 degree onramp.

My JCW did well against 335's,Mustang GT's,STI's and more.

 

Well, I don't know what to tell you about that. Maybe you got outdriven?

When it comes to pure handling, the Justa is roughly equivalent to the Cooper S and JCW unless they've got upgraded suspension/tires/etc. Don't get me wrong, the Cooper S and JCW are more capable cars, but not because they handle better... they're the same car.

 

Nope it was a combo of more rubber and more power in the Soul.I know that it was not the driver because the Soul driver was my sister.

 

We love our Coopers I've had a an 2002 PW/B and now drive a 2006 SR/S same exact spec, and my wife just got a 2012 LC/B Countryman.

 

Just checked the specs

Soul,235/45/18 tires,164 bhp and 2778 lbs.

Justa, 175/65/15 Tires,121 bhp and 2635 lbs

 

Did the Cooper have the smallest possible wheels (5.5" wide?) and an auto?

My Cooper has no trouble keeping up with some very capable cars when it comes to the corners. There is simply no significant difference between the handling of a Cooper, Cooper S, and JCW assuming you get a similar wheel/tire package and the factory suspension.

Power? Of course. Handling? Not really.

 

Yeah justa with base rubber and auto vs soul with factory wheels/tires and auto.

I know my Jcw handled good once the stock shocks,springs,sway bars,bushings and wheels/tires had been upgraded to aftermarket.Stock the Jcw got smoked by my buddy in a Neon ACR thru the twisties.

 

The Neon ACR is no slouch, but I'm sure with all the mods, your JCW is pretty formidable now, too.

 

The neon would pull on the Jcw when stock to about 130/140.

Sold the jcw and bought a 1M

 

Gotcha... the 1M is a serious car, for sure.

I imagine you're talking about the SRT-4 ACR, and not the old ACR :D

 

1995 2 dr neon acr with konis,brake pad upgrade,volk wheels and dunlop direzza tires.

The 1M is ok but selling soon.

 

A lightly modded old ACR Neon was faster than your JCW in a straight line all the way to 140/150?

What's next after the 1M?

 

That neonACR was set up to run scca showroom stock from the factory and was around 2000lbs wet.My buddy has run it in the 1/4 and turned 14 flat.

A srt-4 neon(turbo) will kill a Jcw in the 1/4 and topend.

Selling the 1M(wifes car) and the Laguna seca Boss mustang (my beater) and getting the wife a range rover evoque 2dr and for me a new 911s.

 

Life must be treating you well! Great combination. Love the bright blue with white top Evoque with natural leather interior. Any 911S will make my day!!!

No regrets on going MC over MCS here. Now MC or 911S...

 

It just depends on what you want out of the car. If you like to drive FASTER and get a thrill out of having engine power at your command, then you are going to love the S or JCW or GP. If, on the other hand, your driving is more about fun and twisties, and gas mileage and lower maintenance is more of a concern, a Justa will give you just what you want. Any of them will take you where you want to go....

 

JoanieB

 

Jimbo-- back at ya...doubled

(You have TWO MINIs)

 

I'm new here, but want to say something... You know what I find cool about this forum (and hopefully the Mini community in general)?

I don't see JCW / S owners ripping on Justa owners. That might not sound like much, but I've been to quite a few different car forums online and it is sadly very common.

V-6 Mustang (helluva car in its own right) owners are looked down upon because they don't drive a GT V-8. Same for Challengers... BMW 128i owners because they didn't choose the faster 135i... Etc...

It's just cool to see people treat each other with respect, and not act like first graders, because someone chose a car with less HP than you.

I'm not yet decided between the S and the Justa. I think the Justa will fit my needs just fine, and I kinda like the thought of less maintenance cost/worries. I am worried that the Justa with automatic might not be the best combo, however... If I buy a Mini, it's for the handling anyway, and they all do that with aplomb!

 

The difference is I would say the VAST majority of NAM members are MINI motoring enthusiasts - meaning we are passionate about our little Brits, and take joy in motoring the the way these cars were meant to be driven. These cars are quite simply icons and when it comes right down to it, "fun" is a word almost everyone associates with them regardless of the model... Hard to criticize someone who loves their S because it's fun when someone else says the exact same thing about their Justa, JCW, or GP. You just gotta respect folks' need to play with their toy! Many of us are also members of MINI clubs, some who just like a spirited drive, and some who race and take them to their physical (and metaphysical) limits so know what these cars are really capable of and again, when it comes down to it, nobody cares what the model is, we love and appreciate them all. We all only care the pilots appreciate what they're motoring in. If not everyone else will convince them why they should!

 

This forum seems to have a very friendly vibe. New members are helped even with questions that have been answered a million times, and debates rarely turn ugly. I'm sure the moderators have something to do with that, but I think MINI tends to attract a "mature" crowd. I'm not strictly speaking of age (I'm 29.) but I bet the median age here is higher than, say VW Vortex or your average Mustang board. That probably helps in keeping things civil and avoiding petty inter-brand rivalries.

 

I was hesitant to come on this forum because I was intimidated by the idea of a forum of gear heads, who might be dismissive of my little Justa. But it's been a great experience, and it is so full of helpful information too! The clubs definitely help, they are very inclusive and accepting. It isn't all about the horsepower anyway, it's about the driving experience. Went to a club meeting tonight with my new NAM sticker (grin) and introduced several more people to the forum.

 

A Kia Soul runs 0-60 in the mid 7's per Car and Driver. They aren't that slow.

 

I've had my Cooper for about 2 1/2 years and 80,000 miles, and never once have I regretted not getting an S. If I've regretted anything, it's not getting a Clubman, but that's only because sometimes I'd like the extra space.

I understand fully why people love their S's and JCW's, but I guess I've always subscribed to the old philosophy that "it's more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow". Plus, as others have pointed out, these cars are really more about the handling than straight-line speed.

On a somewhat-related note, I have to say that I really hate the "Justa" name. My car isn't "justa" anything. To me, that implies that you somehow settled for less, which I in no way did. I bought exactly what I wanted to buy, and have been happy ever since.