Hello all!

Just stumbled upon this place last night, and since my family is (vaguely) considering a new car in the future, I thought I'd come and ask a few questions so we can be a more informed buyer.

That being said, a loaded MCS is about our upper limit in price range. The choices being either the MCS, a WRX wagon, or the new subaru baja... The other options are ~$2-3k ($23.5k MCS vs $25-26k suby) more than the MSC we'd most likely get.

However, my fathers biggest concern is reliability and cost to maintain. We've always been a honda/toyota family, and have always had very relaible cars. (Except for the one we have now, they've gone retro w/ a '71 vw bus, and have a 65 bug also) Needless to say, the bus is nickel and diming (sp?) us for all it's worth. Just can NOT stay out of the shop lately, it seems. And with a possible move to AZ looming on the horizon, we're considering just dumping the van and getting into something new since it would mean a possible 40 mile commute each way for my dad to work. Needless to say, my father LOVES the look of the new mini (who doesn't?!?!? ) but then we come back to what is wrong with the cars? Anything? I'm a car dork, and read a lot of car forums (crx/civic enthusiast among others), so I know no matter what cars all have their little quirks.

The real question is, how bad are the quirks on the MCS?!?! Or are they all just hit or miss type deals, where you either get a good one or you don't? (I've run across a few of those stories here where people just don't seem happy with them at all). What should we look for if/when we get one? Just want to know what to look for. And how is the dealer in Phoenix?!?!

Thanks in advance guys, I may just hang out here for the heck of it. Look like a good group of people!


Jamieson

 

People here not happy with an S? Best dam car I ever owned except
for the 2002 Cooper I traded for it. And I have had a lot of cars....
want a list?

 

I've had a S since June, it's my daily comute car and I travel about 18 miles one
way to work. I have had no major problems with the car and just love it!!! The one
thing that has bothered me is lack of storage space for cell phone, garage door
operner, etc. I'm thinking of getting some aftermarket stuff to solve this
problem.

On this board I've heard of cold start issues, 1st gear lag, sun roof rattles and problems with seats but all of these things have been fixed and are really the exception IMO and not the rule.

Go drive all the cars you like and I think you will be ordering your MCS right after.

Motor On! :smile:

 

I'm not sure you can classify the MINI as a family car as it really only seats two people comfotably.

 

Read, read, read but do not forget that MCS owners are particular people, they love their cars and expect a lot, even litlle things matter.
So stop reading, drive all cars you consider and then test drive a MCS

 

Well really, my parents will be moving and I won't be. So the car won't really be used to sit any more than 2 or 3 people anyways. My parents and their granddaughter (LONG story I really shouldn't get into) whom is currently 6 would be the only forseeable passengers.

And yes, I realize opinions would be biased..they are on each different forum, but you guys have hands on experience with the cars. So if there were problems, I think this group would know about them, than any other group of people.

I'll see if I can work in a test drive somewhere. Thanks for the input guys!

Jamieson

 

I could have bought an other make wholesale but went with the MCS because it's just plain fun to drive and there is nothing else on the road that looks like a Mini. It's not real practical as far as luggage room for a long trip with 4 adults but I would have no hesitation about driving it coast to coast with my wife and my dog. 90mph is nothing for this car. The seats are great and the ride quality is terrific (even with the 17" wheels). I took a test drive and put down a deposit. I was prepared to wait 10 month but found one 250 miles away and bought it the next day. Still haven't cancelled the first one..... thinking about a Cooper CVT for the wife!!

 

Click on project cars here...GRM and see what they think of the S....

 

>>I'm not sure you can classify the MINI as a family car as it really only seats two people comfotably.

No less confortable then your average car now a days... I had my parents (both over 50, and my dad is around the 6' mark) in the back seat, and they both said that they'd have to stretch after an hour or so, but it was rather comfortable.. You just have to be creative with the front seats to make room..

Rocketboy_X

 

>>That being said, a loaded MCS is about our upper limit in price range. The choices being either the MCS, a WRX wagon, or the new subaru baja... The other options are ~$2-3k ($23.5k MCS vs $25-26k suby) more than the MSC we'd most likely get.
>>


I had your same problem... I wanted the WRX Wagon and the MCS. So... I got them both! The WRX wagon won't cost you 25-26k though.... the demand is low for them in most areas of the country... I flew out to Cali and got mine for 1k under invoice. The local dealer was willing to sell their's at invoice. So, you can definitely get a "deal" on the WRX Wagon... the MCS is another matter.

 

High Anxiety: Cool, I'll have to see if I can get us a test drive in each (obviously! ), and we'll go from there. I didn't realize some places were willing to let them go for lower though. Sounds good!

Jamieson

 

>>High Anxiety: Cool, I'll have to see if I can get us a test drive in each (obviously! ), and we'll go from there. I didn't realize some places were willing to let them go for lower though. Sounds good!
>>
>>Jamieson

Hey Jamieson... if you want the WRX wagon... just think of areas of the country where people have no need for all wheel drive (California, Florida, Texas)... this is where you'll most likely find the best deals.... just make some phone calls, that's what I did.

 

Jamieson, I was at a Subaru dealership here in Las Vegas on sunday, (the non-MCS is a 99 SUS) and they have a BUNCH of WRXs on the lot. No wagons that I could see though. You mentioned the Baja. I have thoughts about that. It was based on a super cool concept that was supercharged, orange and had plethora of features. When they decided to produce it, they took out all of the things that made it so cool and turned it into an Outback sedan with the boot lid cut off. I was very disappointed with the result. Hell, they're only offering it with the 2.5l engine.

I guess I'd agree with previous comments in this thread. The MCS and the WRX are both a blast to drive. Test them both and pick whichever one you like better.

 

"if you want the WRX wagon... just think of areas of the country where people have no need for all wheel drive (California, Florida, Texas)... "
There are a TON of Subarus in the San Francisco bay area, and skiing is only 3 hours away. But having said that, there are also 4 dealerships within a reasonable distance from one another who are all willing to deal. You can get a fully loaded WRX for ~$24K here. I got one of the first ones (March '01) and paid below invoice. FWIW, I absolutely love my Subaru and I'm hanging out here because my S.O. wants a Mini.
You need to decide what's important for you. Here's the way I see it:
MCS pros
-better looking than WRX or Baja
-stiffer stock suspension, more of a go kart type feeling
-sweet six speed
MCS cons
-power plant is not yet proven itself as it's brand new, quirks are being worked out as we type
-not a ton of cargo space
-less powerful than WRX, about the same hp as a Baja, but baja is much heavier.

Suby pros
-more power
-awd (this could be a con if it is not important to you as it increases complexity)
-more cargo room
-proven powertrain- EJ20t (WRX) has been around since ~'93 internationally and the EJ25 (Baja) is Subaru's bread and butter motor which has proven to be very reliable.
Suby cons
-squishier suspension
-some dealerships are really bad, see http://www.i-club.com for more info.
-clunkier manual transmission than the MCS
-"unique" looking. OK, they're both uglier than the Mini (hey, I love my car, but one has to be honest with himself! )

That's about it. Have fun shopping and feel free to e-mail me if you have specific questions about the suby.

 

One tip, jg7734 - disregard all opinions with regard to the MCS by the curiously illogical fellow going by the name of Nolan. Was he who you were referring to when you mentioned people on this site not happy with their MCSs?

 

Chrisneal: I don't really remember as I wasn't paying attention to the member names at the time. But it was only one story or two of people who weren't happy w/ their cars. So I figured it was a poorly formed opinion, or just someone who really got a lemon (hey, they do happen...why do you think s2000's are on the lemon list?!?! they have issues too..big ones at that). But thanks for the heads up.

And a sort of update. It appears the van has a terminal illness, a warped crank...my dad still is reluctant, but with the estimate he got from our mechanic of at least $2k for a motor w/ no waranty...he's checking his options. He still wants me to see what I can find for it..but i'm pushing for the MCS myself! We'll see how that goes!

Jamieson

 

>>One tip, jg7734 - disregard all opinions with regard to the MCS by the curiously illogical fellow going by the name of Nolan. Was he who you were referring to when you mentioned people on this site not happy with their MCSs?>>>>>


Yes! Finally it seems like Nolan has left us!!!

 

The only thing bad to say is MINIUSA.COM....useless for info
but the S .

 

>>Yes! Finally it seems like Nolan has left us!!!

*sssshhhhh* he might see his name and come back...

Rocketboy_X