[ChrisGJ]

The time has come to get rid of my 03 Cooper (things are now starting to go wrong on it and I don't wanna be paying out all the time!), so have started to look at what to get instead.....for the 4yrs of owning it, I've always wanted a Cooper S so that's my first choice.

But I started thinking if there's better things for my money, which would be around £15k. It needs to be quickish and handle great (hence the S being first choice), and not be likely to have things go wrong (so not too old) but could anyone suggest anything better than the S for the money?

Cheers,
Chris.

[I love MINI, Laura]

Civic?

I expect the general answer will be Cooper S all the way!

[FergusM]

Could get easily into the new Corsa VXR for that money....

...though I'd still take the Cooper S. Think it will be hard to get an unbiased opinion on a mini forum as to alternatives...

[aid]

fergus have you lost your mind a CORSA VXR!!!!!!!!!!!

as a famous man once said it looks like its beencovered in glue and driven through halfords!!!

if it was me i'd stick with the mini or wait for the new fiat 500 abarth

[ALD0]

How about a Cherished S from MINI for about £13k with £2k to pocket and save for next year?

[ChrisGJ]

yeah , appreciate most replies will favour the S (which is fine cos it's top of my list!) but was just after some ideas of other types of car (Civic Type R, Leon Cupra, Focus ST etc etc) that should maybe be considered before decided none of them match up to an S!!

I want one that has a reaonable amount of warranty remaining and when looking at S's around a 55 reg or newer, they were still pretty expensive which just got me thinking about what else might be a good choice.

[ChrisGJ]

oh forgot to say.....could never get a Corse VXR - bit too boy racer-ish!! (as per the Halfords quote!!)

[Foxy Mini]

You can easily get 55 reg or newer Cooper S's from MINI Cherished now Some with a nice spec too! Worth having a search on there.

[MINI&MERCGUY]

Quote: Originally Posted by aid (original)

fergus have you lost your mind a CORSA VXR!!!!!!!!!!!

as a famous man once said it looks like its beencovered in glue and driven through halfords!!!

if it was me i'd stick with the mini or wait for the new fiat 500 abarth

I think JC's actual line was "This car looks as if it has been magnetised and driven through a branch of Halfords" - but close enough!

The MCS is definitely the car to go for - gosh they're only £15K in the UK? That's approximately the price of a base model MINI One in Ireland!

[popey]

Save up a little bit more and get a GP.

[FergusM]

Quote: Originally Posted by aid (original)

fergus have you lost your mind a CORSA VXR!!!!!!!!!!!

as a famous man once said it looks like its beencovered in glue and driven through halfords!!!

if it was me i'd stick with the mini or wait for the new fiat 500 abarth

Lost my mind... probably ! But sure some people will like it....all those chav's need a car to drive also !

.... not my cup of tea I must admit, would love to have a play with one against my MCS...see how close they are performance wise.

Fiat..yuk !... would fall to bits and have dodgy electrics

[mister.t]

I must admit I quite like the Corsa VXR, although I hasten to add I am no chav Id plump for the R53 everytime, but then closely followed by a Focus ST-2, or a Megane 225 Cup. Even better still the new R26 model - Thats a class car.

[BrianF]

Have just registered, so hello everybody.

I had the same dilemma a few weeks ago. 04 MC called Herbie (mind of it's own).

Traded it for an 06 MCS with lots of bits - 17" web spokes, LSD, Recaros etc. for under £16K.

The MCS is brilliant. It's supposed to be the wife's car but she is going to have to get used to driving my Mondeo.

[Buz999]

Why not take a look at the Peugeot 207 GTi, it has the same engine as the MCS and if previous PUG hot hatches are anything to go by it will handle well!

[pardonator]

Quote: Originally Posted by ALD0 (original)

How about a Cherished S from MINI for about £13k with £2k to pocket and save for next year?

£13k with £2k for mods you mean.

[mister.t]

Quote: Originally Posted by Buz999 (original)

Why not take a look at the Peugeot 207 GTi, it has the same engine as the MCS and if previous PUG hot hatches are anything to go by it will handle well!

The 207 GTi is shocking apparently. A neighbour of mine had one for 4 weeks, and hes now traded it in for for a late CTR. He reckoned that trying to accelerate to speed in that car was like trying to move the move out of orbit with a lawn mower. Mind you, he says the lack of torque in the CTR becomes a bore over the miles.

[Peanuts]

If you still love mini's then you won't be happy in anything other than an S. no matter what you can get for your money

When buying a cherished Mini, you get much more for your money than you would new.

Golf GTi or Civic Type R are possible alternatives but none have the anything on the fun factor of a mini. Also don't forget the benefit of a TLC pack which is a major plus point for sticking with mini.

If your buying new you can get much more for your dollars. I sat in the showroom specing an S at the weekend, and i was looking out of the showroom and spotted a 320 M-Sport, for exactly the same price as a new mini i specc'd up.

Walked out the showroom, and thats the car for me. I have never really liked the R56, and this made my decision a bit easier.

As much as i 'loved' mini's you can get more bang for your buck new. but go cherished and you'll get a decent well priced motor with bags of fun