mini cooper s works, good buy?

[The n00b]

I've been really thinking about buying one of these cars but 32k is kind of expensive for a mini cooper. I've already looked at subarus wrx stis which start at 35 around here. So my question shmupites, is there any other car that can be bought new that is the better buy? 32k is my ceiling.

[UnscathedFlyingObject]

I was under the impression those mini cars were like 10k . It's so little car you could probably fit them inside another car.

[Doctor Fugue]

I had a terrible experience while owning a MINI Cooper S. It broke down after 2 months, the interior was designed by a blind monkey and it had more cabin vibrations than a whorehouse. There were a ton of little things that I found over the course of owning it to be extremely annoying; it's hard to describe everything but it just was not a car for me. It's shit in the winter (well, real winter like we have here in Canada). Big mistake on my part, but I really just wanted it for the handling, and holy shit does it handle! It corners on rails.

That sounds like a lot for a Cooper S, unless you really are talking about a John Cooper Works edition (I see the word "works" in the title). My biggest suggestion is to drive a Cooper S as much as possible and try out all of the buttons and switches and see if you can feel comfortable in it from day to day. Some people find it stiff, but I liked the road feel.

Anyway, instead of a Cooper S, have a look at the Volkswagen GTI. It is similar in features, costs a few thousand less, has a much nicer interior and has more flexibility in usage (ie. back seat and trunk space). It has a great 2.0L Turbo engine with a sublime DSG transmission. Great on the highway and in the city. I own one now and I love it.

Other sporty choices in the same price range or lower would be the MazdaSpeed 3, Honda Civic Si, Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V, Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart, Chevy Cobalt SS, Dodge Caliber SRT4, and others that I am forgetting. It depends on what size and speed you want, and whether or not you have a thing against American cars or European cars or Asian cars. Also look at a BMW 1 Series. Believe it or not, have a look at the new Hyundai Genesis Coupe with the bigger engine option.

The Lancer Ralliart is a great alternative to the Subaru WRX. And the Lancer EVO is a good alternative to the WRX STi. The MazdaSpeed 3 is very popular. The Civic Si is not as quick, but will almost certainly be more reliable.

Drive them all and have fun looking! Good luck.

EDIT: I realize most of the cars I suggested (with the exception of the Lancer EVO X) are quite a bit cheaper than a John Cooper Works MINI. So, some more expensive options for you to drool over and consider if you are willing to pay the price would be the Nissan 370Z, BMW M3, Audi S4, Audi TT, Mercedes SLK and the Honda S2000. I don't know if these break your 32k ceiling down in the States in american dollars, but it shouldn't be too hard to find out.

[antron]

Doctor, what year was your S? I love my 2007. The engines are a lot better now.

Noob, why a works? The S is all you need. Manual, the less shit the better. 25K.

[D]

Subaru offcourse, duh!

[The n00b]

Doctor, what year was your S? I love my 2007. The engines are a lot better now.

Noob, why a works? The S is all you need. Manual, the less shit the better. 25K.

Well the works is a bit faster especially in the acceleration department and I do like the mini cooper's looks a lot. However, after looking at the doctor's great suggestions, getting the works version just for the speed really is seeming ridiculous. I mean if all I care about is speed, a 370z starts at 29k.

[Jon]

I have also read many times that they handle like driving a go-cart but like a previously poster said, some people like that. I am also fairly certain that only premium fuel is recommended for the Mini if it matters to you.

[DEL]

Why buy a new car?! I would never buy a new car.
Use depreciation.
With depreciation you can get a Mega Car for that money.

A Mini Cooper works or whatever model is still a good girls car. Its on most girls' wish lists.

[Davey]

Why buy a new car?! I would never buy a new car.
Use depreciation.
With depreciation you can get a Mega Car for that money.

A few years ago, the Mini Cooper had one of the highest (if not THE highest) resale values of any car. Used ones cost almost as much as new ones. I'm not sure if that's still true, but if it is, why not buy new?

Also, new cars are relatively cheap right now because the car companies are desperate. Having said that, I thought Minis were like 20k, not 32k! Obviously I must be thinking of a basic model.

[Doctor Fugue]

@antron: It was a brand-new 2009 Cooper S. Unfortunately the story of me hating it goes far beyond the comprehensive mechanical gremlins. Suffice it to say that I am one of the extremely few people who did not enjoy owning one. By the end of our 7 month relationship, I was taking it in to be serviced more times than I was getting fuel. Airbag sensor malfunction, seat replacement, black smoke (straight out of Lost, apparently), and a terrible throttle control problem. It was stalling and making awful noises in the throttle manifold. Like I said though, most people love them.

Thankfully, as mentioned above, the resale value is incredibly high and I lost practically nothing while getting rid of it.

@The n00b: I agree that a John Cooper Works is not really worth it. Really, if you want those specific parts, it is much more cost-effective to do the work yourself (or hire a knowledgeable friend) and customize it to your exact specifications. Anyway, someone with a JCW probably would want to have a more sensible daily driver. The ride in the JCW is unquestionably rough (for good reason).

@no one in particular :I wasn't aware that vehicles which seem to attract the appeal of a certain gender are proscribed to be hated by the opposite sex. Perhaps a screeching test drive down the Sea-to-Sky highway would alleviate all misogynistic tendencies and focus more on the qualities that speak to your own needs in transportation.

@Davey: Perhaps you were thinking of the base Cooper indeed. It is quite a bit cheaper and has many less performance parts installed. The biggest difference is certainly the lack of a twin-scroll turbo.

[Randorama]

+1 on the Kart feeling, +1 on the good girls wish list.

Very cool car when someone else owns it and drives you around, otherwise I just find it deeply uncomfortable. I simply couldn't drive during my first and only try. Plus, they should also consume a lot, from what I remember.


That being said, I know of a few rugby players* declaring to own one (big guys like Sebastien Chabal, Ross Skeate and Phil Vickery), so maybe it's just me.









*Dunno what rugby is? No worries, these guys are all 1,90 mts.+, 110+ kgs.