I just talked with a friend who owned the Honda S2000 a while back. He said that it was the best (most fun) car he has ever driven, and owned... Says a lot because he drives top shelf vehicles. I found his reaction similar to that of Mini Roadster drivers. Have any of you driven the S2000 or other roadster / sports cars, and how do they compare to the Mini Cooper????

 

I'm 6' tall and the S2000 was way too small for me. The Miata was also too small. The roadster has plenty of room to spare.

 

Thanks, Frig...
I'm also 6', so your input is very relevant ....

 

I owned a S2000 for 8 years. Great car, fun to drive and rear wheel drive. It does have drawbacks however:
- Very noisy with top up or down
- Lack of torque
- Lack of power except at high rpms. Must drive it like you stole it to really enjoy the car.
- Limited interior space
- Lack of creature comforts
- Does not do well in inclement weather

 

The Honda was a great car, but it was just too expensive. Should have been badged as an Accura. People who went in looking for a Civic got sticker shock when they saw the S2000.

People who owned them loved them.

Over the past 40 years I've had an MG, Fiat 124, a Suzuki X-90 as well as having driven a number of others. At 6' 2" I find the R59 the most comfortable of them all.

 

Thanks .... Interesting input...

 

What are you all getting for average gas mileage with the roadster?

 

That is where the Roadster S shines: I am averaging 30 around town (primarily city driving), mid 30's on the highway going through the hill country and around 40 on relatively flat highway driving. Best trip mileage to date is 41 mpg.

Note that my drving style is 75% economy, 25% fun.

 

II Kings:wow... Good stats... thanks .... What % of time is your top down? How many miles do you presently have on the car?

 

I haven't driven a MINI roadster but I have driven a MINI Coupe, and an '06 S2K, back to back test drives. I'd take the Honda all day, every day, over the MINI.

First of all, it's RWD, which is a huge PLUS in my opinion in a roadster. It pulls harder, and handles more responsively. The shift throw is shorter and feels better, and, God forgive me for enjoying this, but when "VTEC KICKS IN, YO!" it is neck-snappingly fun.

If they didn't go for $25,000+ (For 05-06!) around here, and if it didn't snow where I live, I would have traded in the Cooper right there.

 

Thanks , Dannyhavoc...
I assume that there are more people on this thread who have experienced the S2000, or other roadsters, who can submit interesting comparisons ..

 

You can buy a new R59 for the price of a 3 yr old S2000.

Like I said, they discontinued it because nobody was willing to pay Accura money for a Honda. The only NEW roadster to compare with the MINI R59 is the Mazda Miata (or a Smart-for-2) -- once you begin comparing new to used you throw in way too many variables to have a useful discussion.

 

Spoken like someone who never drove a Roadster. One of my friends has a highly modified S2K (Header back exhaust, intake, Nitrous, and more). And he's wanting a Roadster after driving mine. The S2K has to always be rev'd too high, feels sluggish due to that lack of torque, is noisy as heck, and feels cheaper all around IMO. I honestly don't know of a single reason why I'd want one over a R59. RWD is nice, but I don't see FWD as being a hindrance as the MINI handles superbly.

Drive a roadster...I didn't like the Coupe much at all (Felt too claustrophobic and blinds spots galore). The Roadster, I LOVE.

 

Interesting, I can't imagine the Roadster feels dramatically different than the Coupe, with the top up anyway, but I'll reserve judgement until I drive one! I will say that the MINI interior is much nicer, and it's generally a more comfortable car, much more liveable as a DD, I'm sure... but from a pure FUN perspective, and as a weekend car perhaps, I think I'd still prefer the S2000. I cycle to work because I'm fortunate enough to live close, so 90% of my driving is recreational.

 

I only drive my Roadster on pretty days...it'll never see the rain if I can help it...and I stand by my statements :-) I still see the power and experience of the Roadster as being a much better "fun time" car. I'm just not a fan of cars you have to keep rev'd high to feel any power....probably why I always hated the RX8 too

But it is different than the Coupe....the Roadster offers the most headroom of ANY MINI you can purchase when the top is up.

 

I have 3,000 miles on the car and spend about 40% of the time with the top down in the summer (mornings and evenings on hot days).

 

Kings, as a fellow Texan, curious about your experience with the Roadster's A/C capability. Been strong enough to keep you cool(ish) during the TX summer? (know this has been brought up in past threads, but here's my chance to hear ab someone's experience in my same area...sorry!)

 

I have had no problems with the Roadster's A/C. It is not ice cold but definitely meets my needs.

 

Rev,
You make a valid point : few wanted to spend Accura money for a Honda... But, couldn't you say the same about BMW / Mini? A S roadster , well equipped , is not far off the price of a 135 i, moderately equipped .... ( it is a slight issue for me ... )
Jacksongls:
You have the color combination my wife loves... She doesn't want a stripe , though .... I like the stripe ... Can you get it without the stripe ?

 

the 135i isn't a roadster. The Z4 is the roadster and it is much more expensive!

 

Hi Rev,
Well done ! So let's make the analogy using the mini coupe ( don't know what they cost) to the 135i...
I do feel better knowing that Mini Cooper is derived from BMW ....
Also, I do not like the Z4.... Doesn't fit my definition / perception of a roadster, even though it satisfies the standard definition. More of a muscle car to me...
BTW: Just talked with a Mini salesman ... Will make an appointment to test drive the S roadster in two weeks .... I will challenge it with top up, top down; radio, on/off; air - conditioner .... Any other suggestions????

 

I did a good long test drive on a MINI Coupe. I liked it, almost enough to buy it because I could have driven home in one that day instead of waiting 4 months. But #1 on my "bucket list" was a true roadster and after checking out every other option, including the Porche Boxter and Mercedes 350SLK. I went with the MINI because of how much fun it is to drive, it being the cheapest didn't hurt.

 

Did you test drive the Porsche Boxster? The mini roadster is more fun?

 

Rev,
I did think about a used Boxster; however, it would cost as much as a new mini roadster, and it isn't a winter car. In what ways did you find the Mini more fun?

 

Here are my thoughts on the 2013 Boxster S. Like the Rev, I also drove it before I purchased the Roadster S. Great car (my second favorite compared to the Roadster S) and it looks greats. It is well balanced and functional. The reasons I liked the Roadster S nominally more (as a daily driver at least) include:

• The Roadster is slightly more tossable
• The Roadster has creature comforts not available on the Boxster such as comfort access
• The Boxster that I drove, like most Boxsters, had the PDK transmission. A great transmission but not engaging.
• The Boxster S cost more than twice what a better equipped Roadster S costs

I am sure that my opinion would change if I spent a day at the track with both. However, I spend 99 percent of my time on the street.