So everyone knows Im going crazy over this color thing. So I start comparing the regular Mini Convertible S with JCW package to Roadster because I like this Eclipse Gray color, just a nice color. So just wanted to hear what differences you guys see besides the seats of course. I do have 2 young girls at home and a wife who hates driving in convertibles because it messes up her hair and would be nice to take my girls for a drive but I could do that with the roadster also, just one at a time. I see the windshield is lower on Roadster and love the way the Roadster looks. The measurements are pretty much the same anyway. Is it as simple as they are the same car except for seating?

 

I have the convertible now, and will be moving on to the Roadster soon. I bought mine used, first convertible I've ever owned. I fell in love with it. I will tell you however, while the cabrio has back seats, they are tiny. If you have adults up front, they are really impractical. I'm looking forward to having more of a real trunk on the Roadster, as the Convertible has a tiny(impractical) trunk...I can get my satchel and a couple gallons of milk in there. From what I've read, the Roadster has a much stiffer chassis than the Convertible as well. Drivetrains will be the same of course, as well as all available options. I think you should go to the dealer and test them both out...that should give you a really good idea of what you want. Hope this helps.

 

In my opinion the MINI looks good because more because of it's uniqueness/heritage/originality than actual lines/shape/form of the car. Until the Roadster (and the Coupé) I see the other models as almost blasphemy and ugly. To me the Cabrio is the worst offender flowed by the Countryman and then the Club.

IMO: There is no comparison to the look of the Roadster compared to the Cabrio.

IMO: The Roadster looks like an aggressive sports car (in it's class) and the Cabrio looks like an elderly ladies inexpensive Boulevard Cruiser.

FACT: Also the Windshield has a much more aggressive rake angle than on the Cabrio.

Now this is just my unedumacated opinion and hope to not be flamed for it.

Flame suite on.

 

^ Nothing flame worthy there, just good observations. I would agree that the Roadster is the best looking of all Mini's thus far...just my opinion, and you know what they say about opinions

 

Damn! I do agree with all of you. Im just trying to convince myself becasue I like the colors better. Im sorry but if your not in the market for Red or Black all the other colors are nice but just not the one. I mean the Eclipse Gray, Crystal Silver or Surf Blue would look amazing on this roadster. Why cant they just offer the colors which are on most Mini's. Im just going to have to settle for white/Silver I guess. I hate settling!

 

Here is the Eclipse Grey/Silver stripes "S", could be built out a number of different ways, JCW package, JCW tune, etc.

 

Don't settle...you are spending too much on this to not absolutely love it. I mean, wake up in the middle of the night to go sneak a look at it kind of love it And you don't want to buy the Cabrio and every time you see a Roadster go by say damn...the Roadster is just so good looking. I hope I'm helping...

 

Having owned both a 2006 convertible and now the 2012 Roadster, here's my thoughts on the pros of each.

Roadster:
Looks better (my opinion).
Bigger boot - made a grocery run yesterday and everything fit with room to spare.
Cool wing (my opinion).

Convertible:
Fully automatic top.
Sunroof opening mode. (used that on occasion, but usually if it was nice enough weather for that it was nice enough for top down)
Back seat. Usable for children, dogs and the occasional adult.
The convertible with the windscreen and the windows up is a less breezy cockpit than the Roadster seems to be so far.
Haven't driven the Roadster top-up yet (guess we should just to try it...) but the expectation due to the single-layer roof on the Roadster is they the convertible will be a little quieter with the top up.

For my wife and I it was an easy choice - just the two of us, and if we need to haul more people or the dogs that's what the (sigh) Prius is for.

If minimal wind is a big criteria, the Convertible probably has the edge there.

But one point I'm confused about - Eclipse Gray is available for the S Roadster, no?

Don

 

The Roadster has more than just looks over the convertible.

It is a completely new frame. It has a lot more frame bracing and doesn't suffer from the upper cowl shakes. The convertible is no where near as stiff. The rear view mirror shakes like it's on a motocross bike!

In addition the newly designed Roadster is actually more practical because the boot is much larger and the top does not take up all the space when it is down.

In the convertible the rear seats are too small to be of much use and the trunk is non-existent. Really the rear seats become the trunk.

Another plus is mini has made small improvements to various other elements in the redesign. Supposedly the hood scoop warp problem is corrected, the windshield wipers are much improved, suspension is specific to the coupe and roadster, and the Roadster is more performance oriented.

 

Those are very good points! If performance is a big factor, the Roadster looks to be the superior choice by far.

Our convertible was my wife's car, I had my own MINI and she liked the color and the top-down-ness. She had no interest in it being an 'S' either.

Our Roadster is a shared toy, so performance was a big factor, and I'm expecting good things from it. We haven't been on a lot of varying (poor) roads yet, but I do expect a lot less cowl shake from what I've heard.

Don

 

Im sorry I meant the other lighter gray. Highclass Gray. Or the lighter one they have at the dealer The Eclipse just is too dark and no POP. I wish it looked like that ^picture^.
http://www.moritzmini.net/img/vehicl...Metallic_0.jpg

 

I know, I know! Roadster it is. I love the roadster, thats how I got into this Mini craze. Again, my favorite color is Blue but this blue just didnt do it for me. Ill decide, ill decide. It's between the silver or Blue anyway. Thanks guys.

 

 

Don't settle for what you don't want. The car is far more important than the color. You don't like Lightning Blue? Is it too bright, dark or indigo for your tastes? What shade of Blue do you like?

What about moving out of the box for Spice Orange or BR Green II for metallic or Chili or Pepper for non metallic? They all look good on the Roadster to me.

 

...that I have them coming out of both ends.

 

I like the pepper but on the cream side for me. I like white. Ill just have to see them again at the dealer. What it really comes down to is I wish I could see the blue with silver stripes in person. I want to order the car asap but Im going to wait I think until I see one a the dealer first. Its gonna be hard. 99% are White/Silver

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/search...first_record=1

 

I keep hearing you say blue Not in person, but another look at Lightning Blue/Silver Stripes in video form:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHPZU78urVQ

 

Thanks. I had that posted on "Color is Key" does look good under flourescent lighting though, but all cars do.