[Mikael]

I see we have a new MCS to STi thread but as not to thread-jack, I'll start my own cause I may go the opposite route. I drive an 05 STi but have a Mini GP on order. NavyEnzo seems happy with his swap to the 06 STi and should be.

I went through this a year ago but ultimately decided on the STi as a proper Works MCS specced as I truly wanted it was going to clock in close to $40,000 and I figured I could never be left wanting more capability than the Subie has to offer. Other tie-breakers: the snow and the hot pink fabulousness.

So a year in my STi and I'm right back where I started. The STi is brutally fast, yes, and can corner at absurd speeds. Seriously, if the sign on a tight ramp suggests "45mph," in an STi, read it as "100mph." It is a miracle that I haven't lost my license in it, though, because you don't begin to enjoy the STi until you are at 1.5 times the posted speed limit.

I'm at a crossroads cause I just moved further out of town to a pretty unique place. With 13k miles last year, I can count on closer to 25k this season so this is the last time my 05 STi will have relatively low miles. The new drive to town/work is fantastic but frustrating as I start about 2000 ft above the valley and have a treat of a twisty mountain road (11-15%) grade for the first 5 miles but then 20 more miles droning down the interstate.

We also get TONS of snow up here; though they are pretty quick to clear the main road. We'll get a foot up here but the valley will only get wet. I figured I had the perfect set-up (and maybe I do) with the STi for winter and the GSX-R for summer but I saw the new GP and put down the deposit so I could consider it cause I still feel my heart drop when I see a Mini. I love the character, the cockpit, the size, and the sound of the Mini so much....

For either car, I'll need summer and winter wheels. When the snow is deep, I have an Infinity QX4 (Pathfinder) I could drive instead of the Mini but I hate trucks and that kinda defeats the purpose of being Mini. I find myself riding my bike now even when I don't want to because it does twice as well on fuel as the STi. But the bike is often impractical as I always need a stuffed backpack with a change of clothes (always wear protection, kids,) it exposes me to a lot of extra risk, and I can't go get a pizza on lunch. I figured I could do way better on gas in the Mini than the STi but now the advantage seems it may be marginal if I drive it on boil - 24mpg vs. 19 maybe? Bah....I just don't know.....

I'd be so excited about getting the Mini but what about the first time one of those disgusting Neon SRT4s pulls up next to me at the light and I become the dot in the mirror instead of him? How much/how often will I miss the Subaru? Help!.....

Currently...............: http://img99.imageshack.us/my.php?image=s20100010bx.jpg
Starting Down........: http://img154.imageshack.us/my.php?i...20100162gr.jpg
Mini....(sadness)....: http://img154.imageshack.us/my.php?i...20100194qc.jpg
Chasing my Brother: http://img99.imageshack.us/my.php?image=s20100249ws.jpg

[Vitesse]

Mikael,

In the conditions your talking about, it sounds to me your better off sticking to a four wheel drive Subaru. It's a case of horses for course etc.

I personally think the Mini is a better drive, totally disappointed with the GP seeing it's meant to be special, would liked to have seen more BHP over a Works. I believe it's 8BHP, considering what it's lost in weight, does taking back seats out make that much difference? The bar across where the back seats were must be made of solid gold!

It's disappointing when there are other after market tuners offering 230+ BHP. I was told by JCG that they were quite happy to offer the Works to BMW at 225 but BMW were not happy to risk it from a warranty stand point, but JCG were more than confident then engine could handle it.

You never know they may come out with a 4 wheel drive Mini one day and you will be ok, but I doubt it

[insane*mini]

Honestly....I think you would be going down the wrong road. If I was in your situation I would either buy a used MCS or just keep the Subie. You can find relativly good deals out there, but searching might take a while and can be frustrating. I say I would go for a used MCS because they are cheaper, but still reliable. There are loads of used MINI's out in the world today, just got to find yours. The reason I am telling you to buy a used MCS is to mod the hell out of it. You will never be able to match a Subie's power, but the MCS is a whole different car. The power is different, and so is the handling, along with everything else.

Getting a used MINI and doing performance mods to it I think would make you happier than getting a GP. The GP is just a Works MCS and will probably be overpriced, and is ugly imho (not to mention HIGHLY underpowered). I don't know, it's your decision, but I would pull out of that deposit and find a used MCS, and mod it. Hell, if all else fails, twin charge it and have fun....but I'm warning you now....your foot will NOT be able to leave the pedal!

-Cody (and I sent you a message over AIM. Are you there?)

[Mikael]

Two votes for the Subie? I was expecting mostly biased praise of the Mini option.....

I see you're point about getting a used MCS, Cody, but I'm not that into the whole tuner thing, actually. I'm not all that mechanically inclined and just don't have the time so I'm a sucker for the out-of-the-box type of fast (hence, STi.) The driving is the fun part for me. Warranty is important, too, as I am pretty hard on my cars.

I know not everyone cares much for the GP as it is not special enough. I kinda agree on that front. I don't see it having much more than an inch advantage racing against a regular Works MCS. However, I do think it is a great deal. This has been beat to death - yes, I wish it had xenons and yes, the back seat deletion seems hardly worth the 15 lbs saved but I think it looks fabulous and I love the wheels. Though building an MCS would have a few advantages, I would spend several thousand more.

The Mini seems to be a slower, less useable, less versatile choice....so why do I want one so bad? Are marginally better fuel economy and a lot more character worth it?

[insane*mini]

Well, I've only driven a handful of cars, so I can't comment on how fun the Subie or anything else driving wise. What I can comment on is how fun the MINI actually is to drive. It's amazing....simple as that.

If the tuner world isn't for you, and your power hungry...I'm afraid the MCS, even the Works isn't going to yield enough power for you. You could, however get a new MCS and mod it a little bit, which would still keep the warrenty (ask you dealer to be sure) and have the parts professionally installed.

Some basic upgrades:

Reduction pully
Air Intake of some sort (HAI [Hot air Intake] is only $35)
Lighter wheels, fatter non runflat tires
Exhaust, possibly with a header
M7 RAM Scoop (more air into the IC)
WMS (Webb Motor Sports) short throw shifter

Really, that's all I can think of...

I would go to a local MINI meet and see what people are doing, and ask them. See if you can get a ride (or drive) a modded MINI with the items mentioned above.

Oh, and my thought on the GP: Even though it's a "limited" production vehicle...the cost is just too much. Don't they start at like $30k? Plus dealer markup? I would much rather build my FULLY loaded, spec'd MCS that came out to $28k. You really wouldn't even have to fully spec it out, and get one brand new for ~$25-27k and spend the rest on "bolt-on" mods. Oh, and enjoy!

And did you get my PM?

-Cody

[navyenzo]

Mikael,

I know what you're going through because i miss my mini every once in a while, especially when travelling long distances. The STI waists a lot of gas (I am pesonally averaging 17.5 mpg city and 20 hwy), and my back always hurts during the drive from Houston to san antonio and back that I do almost every weekend.

My ideal setup would have been to keep my cooper s while buying the STI, but i couldn't afford that.

The interior is another thing to consider. I had integrated a pocket pc gps and it looked fantastic in the mini, which also had the chrono pack, leather, yellow dashboard, chrome line interior and much more. The STI on the other hand, although it still has a 6 cd changer and automatic air conditioning, it just lacks the fine details of workmanship that the mini has.

In the end, what won me over was the mouth dropping performance and handling of the subaru and the fact that i had gotten used to the mini.

GOOD LUCK!!!

[Mikael]

I go back and forth everyday. Did you have a regular MCS or a Works kitted one, NavyEnzo? I have half a mind to at least try the GP and, if I limp through winter or deem it just too slow, I can get the next gen STi which I really hope is a hatch. Compare for me your driving on some familiar routes now - do you find yourself going a lot faster in the Subie? Maybe because you physically can or maybe cause you don't notice? Also, we know straightline is no contest but the Mini is quite nimble - is your STi still a lot quicker in the curves, though? Compare grip levels for me on the stock tires, I guess. Thanks.

[insane*mini]

I think it also should depend on wether or not you "feel" like your going fast. What I'm trying to say is, I feel in the MINI like I'm going slow, but I look at the speedo and I'm exceeding the speedlimit by 20+mph....it's rediculous! In my friends Mustang V6 it feels like we are going very fast, and his car throws you back more than my MINI does, but we are really going slow.....if you understand that.

-Cody (or just wait for the 07' turbo)

[Electric Blue]

The mini would be a much better speccd machine with a higher build quality. The interior is more up to date and "solid". The problem with Subarus is that they are Japanese.............great reliability, useless interior design, more a wall of grey...

I love the mini since getting it, its better than a few Subarus I have been in, feels more intuitive and is more fun. The only thing I don't like with them is that they don't feel special, a MINI always does.

The mini would probably be useless though in the winter (can't comment as I haven't driven mine in the snow)

[AlexF2003]

I have just made the same decision...

I am selling my STi Type RA (about the fastest std scooby you can buy) for a cooper s gp.

The scooby is great but its not specail. Its fast, absurdly fast, to the point where its not useable. I can't wring its neck every time I drive to work.

The only place it makes sence and comes together is on a race track or at the Nurburgring.

So I've ordered a GP

I'm sure on the road I can have just as much fun and it feel a little bit more special that just another scooby albit a very fast one!

Alex

[insane*mini]

You won't be disappointed (I hope.....). I really don't like the GP, but ehh, it's your money. How much are they going for? Somewhere around 30k USD? I would personally buy a brand new 06' DS/DS MCS and paint the mirrors red, . Then I would take the $3-4k you save and buy a pully, exhaust, remap, intake, header, coil pack, catch can, wheels, tires, tints, springs, swaybar, strutbrace....ok..well maybe that's a little over! But you get the idea!

Have fun in your GP, when are you expecting delivery?

-Cody

[midlife]

I traded my STi for an MCS last month.

What I miss:

The brutal power band from 3k revs. The MCS (unmolested) is quick but not in the same league as a 300bhp scoob.
The grip (not handling) 4wd is awesome on UK B- road runs.
The burble - nuff said.
The seats - they really wrap you up

What I don't miss:

MPG - sub 5mpg on a trach day
Insurance costs - grp 20 is sore even for an old boy like me
Servicing costs - too keep the FSSH it is costly.
Unwanted attention ( Police and the Corsa brigade)
Crap interior, appalling paintwork/finish.


Like most of you I commute , sit in traffic etc and get little opportunity to use a performance car safely on quiet roads. I also found the Impreza sat too low to be effective in snow

I weghed up a newer scoob, but felt the '06 didn't raise the bar, like the classic or blob eye sti had.

Im happy with an MCS as an overall package ( ive slightly moddified it) and it definitely handles.

[AlexF2003]

MPG - sub 5mpg on a trach day

I forgot about that!!

Insurance costs - grp 20 is sore even for an old boy like me

I paid £940 with full NCB, clean licence in a good area!!!!!

Servicing costs - too keep the FSSH it is costly.

DIY luckily

Unwanted attention ( Police and the Corsa brigade)

Not sure a gp will be massivly better than my std looking white scooby but hey lol

Crap interior, appalling paintwork/finish.

Its japanise

[Electric Blue]

I've been thinking about this more and more today, and I think I have the main reason why someone would want a mini over a scoob, they are a more special car.

The mini is a car with such a following from people of all walks of life, and the "scene" is so varied that the mini is a way of life if nothing else.

If it wasn't for the mini scene I don't think I would have a mini, its the whole package with a mini, not just one thing.

A Subaru is a fast car, and that's kinda it, it doesn't seem to have any soul or anything to make it different from other fast cars.

The reason people keep coming back to the Mini is its ability to get under your skin, its an addiction I'm proud to have.

[Mikael]

Glad to hear from more of you that had the same decision and it seems like the switch to the Mini made sense for you. I'm just trying to sort out if it makes sense for me. Driving through town, yeah, the Subie is pretty dead and I think the Mini would be more fun. My wife actually detests my STi. She claims to feel sick riding in it just to dinner (though I suspect she exaggerates a bit....)

As a combination of being lucky and/or stupid, I do, however, seem to have the chance to thrash the Subie on my daily drive. There are pretty much no cops on the hill (see pics in my original post) and I keep odd hours as an air traffic controller so no rush hour on the highway which happens to be an easy one to speed on as there are no spots for cops to hide or turn around. (For reference, I had around 15 speeding tickets up through age 23 in my Civics back in Indiana but since moving to Utah, zero, in an STi and I certainly have not been holding back.) Mind you, I do kinda always have a feeling like my time is coming....

Admittedly, I'm half the guy everyone hates that uses public roads as a racetrack. Never when it could be dangerous for anyone else - I mean, not in residential areas or weaving in and out of traffic but on an open stretch of road, law enforcement is my only fear. I just really like going fast and testing my nerve around curves. I don't go looking for trouble. I won't rev my engine at a stoplight or anything like that but if someone roars past me, I have trouble not returning the favor with all the more vigor. In moments of clarity, I get a bit disgusted with myself for that but can't seem to help myself when I'm back behind the wheel, or worse still, on my bike. Last night on the empty highway, I was goaded into a frighteningly high-speed contest on my bike. After it settled down, I was so mad at myself for going so fast to prove my caveman dominance over some worthless Taurus but, at the same time, couldn't deny the subsequent rush of adrenaline.

So anyway, that little dichotomy of emotion really figures into my decision as I figure the STi only feeds but well-supports my foolish habits. I think I could enjoy the Mini more at nearer legal speeds but I don't know how much it's going to dig at me when a dumb Mustang GT takes off from a light and I can't "teach him a lesson" in my noble, stating-the-obvious quest to display to all-comers that their car can't run with an STi.