Wel i got on to MINI USA and configured a Roadster. I got to $41,000 real qucik and I thought I was being conservative. That price is making me reconsider the Roadster, or at least the JCW version. I was planning on replacing my dear departed Nigel [see my sinature] with a Roadster but I am having secong thoughts about that. Even the "s" hat configured came out to 35,000!!!

AS much as I am obsessed with MINI's there are a lot of cars in the 40,000 dollar range that I like and I am having trouble justifying it. fot those who have been playing around with the configurator, what are your thoughts regarding the price and does it affect your decision on whether or not you are going to buy a Roadster.

 

I'm buying a JCW Roadster.

I built a Chevy Camaro Convertible, Ford Shelby GT Convertible, Mazda Miata Mx-5 Convertible, Corvette Convertible, 370Z convertible, BMW Z series Roadster, etc. Every one was more expensive and some by more than $20,000 than a similarly specced JCW Roadster.

Plus I actually like the looks of the JCW Roadster more than most all of the above cars and now that you can order Recaro Seats and JCW Leather Dash, the interior is nice as well.

I think the JCW Roadster should hold it's value well over a long time period. As I doubt very many total will be built as compared to some of those other cars.

 

I feel your pain. I configured a JCW and it was at $40k before I could blink! I then dropped down to the S and managed to keep it just under $35k. I contacted my dealer and they have a slot available for a S, but none yet for the JCW, plus there's someone ahead of me on the list for the JCW. I'm not in that big of a hurry, but the fact that I can get a S on order immediately versus waiting a few months is appealing.

I looked at all those vehicles too and just kept coming back to the MINI as my favorite. I was also interested in the TT Roadster until I realized that Audi has eliminated the manual transmission on the TT!! (What are they thinking??)

Anyway, I'm putting in my order in the next day or two for a R59 S.

 

I'm in a very similar predicament. Blue Meanie is nearly departed and I've been looking to replace her once she's back from the autobody shop. I've looked at the TT, 128i, 328i, A5, and Z (not to mention Boxter and SLK) and only the 128i and TT come within shouting distance.

I've got my eye on an S Roadster with everything checked off (Cold Weather, Technology, Premium and Sport, adaptive headlights, Lounge Leather seats, etc) which nets out to just under $40k. The only droptop approaching that price is the 128i, and even that is about $45k similarly equipped. The TT comes in at about $47-48K and my guess is I'd want a TTS to yield the grin level of the MCS which pushes into the low $50s.

I am definitely leaning heavily towards the Roadster. I couldn't have been more pleased with my last two MINIs. The only reliability issue I had between the two was with a tire-pressure sensor.

For a while I thought (post accident) that I should get something bigger. However, both my wife and I walked away from a 30mph t-bone by a Jeep to the passenger side with nothing more than a couple bruises. On further reflection, that's pretty damn good for such a small car.

I've decided you only live once, and you might as well have the most fun you can, while you can. Nothing has given me more pleasure than driving my MINIs, so the decision has been (mostly) made;-)

 

I've built my S roadster as well and I am at 39k with the works package. I love the car from all angles and it will be unique! Now, just deciding the color.....

 

My JCW always tops out around $53K when I'm dreaming with the configurator. Many nice cars to be had for about $5 to 7K more than the Mini for what it's worth. I like speed and brut power but realistically the mpg on those cars you mention ain't great for overall mileage. The JCW falls right between econonmy minded and overly expensive cars.
Get the roadster and get it the way you want!

 

$53K. Good grief, a new non-S Boxster can be had for that and it will drive rings around the JCW and it has RWD.

 

How much more is the Roadster S/JCW compared to the Coupe, like $5k?

 

OK, I went to Porsche site. Configured non-S Boxster. It starts at $49,500 while the JCW Roadster starts at $35,200. If you even modestly equip the Boxster with Leather seats, Xenon lights, better wheels, and premium entertainment system it comes in around $67,000.

Where as you can get a fully loaded JCW Roadster with almost every option and package for $47,000.

A new Boxster is about $20,000 more than a similarly equipped JCW Roadster. It is .6 - .7 seconds faster 0 -60. Is only about 13 mph faster in top end speed. But the JCW gets 33 mpg highway compared to 19 highway for the Boxster.

For the money, you get more with the Roadster.

 

I understand, I was responding to the poster with the $53K Roadster. At that price point there is no more value for money.

 

man i feel no pain for you USA guys! here in Aus a optioned JCW roadster will be around $70k and our $$ is better than yours. as for the boxter, my modded JCW is much quicker than a boxter once your rolling, so mabye the JCW then get a tune with your left over money???

 

Why is everyone going nuts over the price of the Roadster? It costs $600 LESS than the Convertible.

 

When comparing the Roadster or any other MINI for that matter to an Audi, BMW, 370Z, Porsche etc. you have to factor in more then just price.. Service,( as some of us know our local MINI dealer is hard to work with at times but the BMW dealer in the same lot is a whole different story. My wife has a BMW while I have a MINI ) resale, Fit and Finish, FUN FACTOR, HP-TQ, ( since we're talking sporty cars ) Sure there are people out there spending $45,000-$50,000 on a MINI but don't think there are very many of them running around. You almost have to start looking at other makes of cars at that price
and I'm of the opinon that you'll find a better value of car else where for that kind of money..If your talking around $33,000 or less the MINI will be a great choice and probably the most FUN...

 

Not sure I agree at all.

In order to get a mini in the $45,000-$50,000 range, you have to be looking at a JCW model with recaro seats, xenon adaptive lights, mini connected with nav., JCW leather dash, etc, etc. In otherwords, a fully loaded mini in the JCW model with excellent fit and finish.

Of all the other models you mentioned, most of them start at $45,000 - $50,000 range and that is for the base model, weakest engine, and no additional frills.

In addition, the other vehicles in the base model do not have much better performance than a JCW mini and they all have poorer fuel efficiency.

If you do an Apples to Apples comparison, a base price mini will run you 25 - 30 K less than the base model of any of the sporty cars you listed. In addition a JCW model fully loaded would need to be compared to a fully loaded alternative which is still going to run you $20K more.

Comparing Apples to Apples the Mini wins hands down.

 

Just my opinon as I mentioned. If someone told me I could have for free either a 370Z or a Standard S MINI, I'll take the 370 every time. Now you load them both up with options to the 50,000 mark and I'll still take the 370...and with me driving both cars I'll most likely out perform the MINI with the 370 all day long... Sure I may not get as good a gas mileage but that is only 1 of 2 areas the MINI would win at. The other being able to carry 2 people and some luggage. Unless we're talking the coupe or roadster and then they are about equal there...
and the same "might" could be said for the BMW and Audi TT once you price the MINI into their price ranges.. Take a BMW 135 Series at 50,000 and I think it will win most catagories vs the MINI at that price range..

I'll take the MINI all day long in the low 30,000 range, it's just that if you load it up to the 45,000-50,000 range there are just better cars out there.. I'm not dissing the MINI at all just can't see paying that kind of money for it...

 

The closest thing to a JCW is the BMW 128i. That's way more expensive car. Mini only gets about $7k premium for the JCW upgrade. That's chickenfeed compared to what BMW gets for the 135i upgrade. It's pocketchange compared to the BMW M upgrade. I've always said that when you get to the $40-50k performance car category you're paying as much for image as you are for the car. All the cars are pretty sweet, it's whether you want the kidney grill, the big speedo, or the Porsche badge.

 

So I guess what you are saying is that you prefer performance over luxury.

Because a Base 370Z Roadster with sports package starts at $45K+ and a JCW Roadster starts at $35K+. That is a fair comparison. If you want to compare those cars at $50K then the JCW would have $15K of added options and the 370Z would have $5K of added options. So you would rather have a car with better performance but fewer options at the same price.

Personally, I'd prefer the Mini Roadster at $50K over the 370Z at $50K. I just don't like the looks of the bulbous backend on the 370Z and where I live in the mountains the Mini Roadster FWD is an advantage in the snow. In addition, the Mini Roadster with $15K of options has a lot nicer interior, communication, nav, heated seats, etc. which the 370Z won't have at the same price.

Performance-wise the 370Z has the edge but not by much and I don't race. The Mini JCW Roadster has enough performance to make it fun to drive and excellent handling on curvy mountain roads. In addition, there will be far fewer JCW Roadsters on the road making them a bit rare compared to a fairly common 370Z.

 

Just imagine how much $$$ they will be asking we poor Canadians!!!

 

Funny, I'm making the exact opposite move.
Selling my just-over-a-year-old 370Z Coupe (base + sport) and have a MINI Roadster on order!

I do love the 370Z, it's a terrific car, but it turned out to be less "fun" than the MINI it replaced. No argument on the performance of course. Basically I spent a lot of money to discover that I'm actually a MINI guy at heart.
When I discovered I sort of looked forward to "borrowing" my wife's Cooper Convertible (not even an 'S'!), I realized where I stood.

Don

 

I've ben wondering that as well. I guess because it has 2 less seats (if that's what you want to call them)

 

I configured a roadster pretty much exactly like my MCS and it was about $6,000 more (sticker price). You can get $$ off the sticker on an MCS, at least where I live, but I suspect they're selling the roadster at full sticker price (or more) so the difference might be $7,500 or so. That's a lot of money (IMO at least). Very cool looking car (I actually saw and sat in one at my dealer), but paying that much more and giving up the room of the back seat would be a problem for me.

 

It's funner to drive a slower car fast then it is to drive a faster car slow!!
You have to admit that the extra 100+ HP of the 370z is nice to have and play with at times.. My wife had a 350z rated at 306HP and my MINI has 113 at the hubs, kinda hard for me to make up that much difference any way you put it..

 

So true!

Yeah, the power is really nice, and I'll miss that going back to an 'S'. Guess the grass is always greener - thought the power would be enough, but I really miss the agile feel of the MINI.