[Sejanus]

Quote:

Originally posted by HarryIndiBlue


Very interesting -- how high does it let you go in the manumatic (driver shifting via buttons) mode before it automatically shifts to the next gear or stops revving higher? I was just repeating hearsay about the CVT but real information would be great.

Hmmm, intersting question, I'm not sure if it's ever done that to me. I've tried to shift, shall we say "inappropriately," one or twice (hey, its been a while since I drove a manual) and it's flipped to sports mode and taken over, but I don't think it was ever a case of me simply accelerating to a point where I was calling for too many rpms, but that may just be because I changed gears before I got to that point. I'll have to play around a bit and see what happens. For the record, you don't push any buttons you simply push the gear shift forward to downshift, back to go up a gear. (after you've pushed the gear shift to the right to put it into sports mode).

[Mini M!]

it's certainly lovely to dream up a MCS with CVT. other manufacturers have CVT units that are capable of coping with a little more torque... i am sure mini has tested a few but certainly at this time they dont have something that is reliable for mass production... obviously the S54 M engine is a good lesson for BMW by now...

since ghost cleared up his misinterpretation of the saleswoman's words, it should be noted that the average salesperson is, well, just average. mini most likely would not custom build a certain unproven model for any good (or even A-list) customer, no manner what you do to or with your dealer. your dealer buys the car from Mini / BMW USA, who in turn orders the car from the factory. your average saleswoman is very, very unlikely to be even able to get you a custom paint job from the factory, let alone a MCS+CVT.

unfortuantely at this time mini can sell their cars without doing all the "Individual" works or special order, and they can do the color/spec at their pace, it is unlikely special orders will be taken in the next few months. of course, an "Individual" program is an excellent idea for some.

[jspranza]

Andrew,

Recommend to your mom that she get the NB 1.8T in GLS trim with the automatic. You won't have to wait for the CVT in the MCS (some people here are waiting for features promised in 2003 like the AUX input) and you are more likely to get the $2000 off MSRP on the Beetle (if not more).

Paying cash usually means the dealer doesn't make as much through financing so I'm not sure that justifies a reduced price. Though buying two cars may change their mind. Doing "special favors" helps too.
Please go over to www.vwvortex.com and ask the folks on the Beetle forum the same question. When you are there, tell them you met some guy who is getting a new VR6 Jetta Wagon with 6-speed and 4-Motion!

Joking aside, your mom needs to find a car that she will enjoy driving, not the one you want her to get. You will help her more by doing research for her and finding which vehicles meet her needs then having her drive them to see which one she likes the most.

Please do not do a "custom" tranny or paint job on a MINI. It will definately loose quality in finish or reliability.

[noahe]

Quote:

Originally posted by jspranza
Please go over to www.vwvortex.com and ask the folks on the Beetle forum the same question. When you are there, tell them you met some guy who is getting a new VR6 Jetta Wagon with 6-speed and 4-Motion!

Ooh... I'd like a VW Golf 4-Dr with a VR6, 6-Speed and 4Motion as a "Family Car" to park next to the MINI. Do they make that?

[jspranza]

Quote:

Originally posted by noahe

Ooh... I'd like a VW Golf 4-Dr with a VR6, 6-Speed and 4Motion as a "Family Car" to park next to the MINI. Do they make that?

Sorry, not yet. The Jetta/Golf with the Haldex all-wheel drivetrain is the one thing a lot of us VW owners have been wanting. (sorta like that MCS with CVT).

[Basil]

Quote:

Originally posted by jlivingood




I'd get the MINI if I were you. The interior may be a touch less expensive but the car is a real gem. You'll have fun in it and won't regret it. And your resale will be better as well - good luck trying to sell a used New Beetle now. The dealers are having trouble moving new ones, even discounted. Maybe the new converible Beetle will help them out.

Get the MINI. Believe me - I have owned both cars.

Jason

Ummmm. Sorry, just to chime in here, as it's still a sensitive subject with me, having just lost $12,000AU in four months and 2,500km's on my S.

Firstly, putting obvious MINI enthuisiasm aside, you "may" regret buying a MINI, just as you might regret buying the Beetle. And secondly, depending on what country your in, re-sale values will vary greatly.

ghost, have a look in the "future variants" area of the forum. There is a discussion regarding the auto Cooper S which is quite interesting. "IF" MINIs continue selling in large numbers, I feel sure that in a year or two you will see some form of Auto S. Hopefully a SMG, which was rumoured years ago for the S. Many insiders say otherwise, but I can't believe BMW would miss an opportunity to equipe an S with an SMG. They are missing a "massive" market. It could be one thing that would tempt me back to the MINI fold.

Buy the car you prefer, your not likely to get unbiased remarks here on MINI2.

[noahe]

Quote:

Originally posted by Basil
Firstly, putting obvious MINI enthuisiasm aside, you "may" regret buying a MINI, just as you might regret buying the Beetle.

Basil, we've all missed a big difference for current buyers of either a New Beetle or a New MINI... We bought our cars speculatively. I was on a waiting list with a deposit before I ever sat in one, nevermind drove it. Sure, I could have passed on it, but for me, it turned out to be all the car I was expecting and more. Unfortunately it wasn't for you.

But any buyer now, can go in, and take a test drive. Test 'em back to back. When you're serious about one or the other, some dealers are letting people take extended tests. If you told them you needed an evening with one to decide, a good dealer will let you.

There's no reason not to like your purchase, because by now, you can test a real, non-pre-production or non-pre-spec car. Test a couple.

Then, before you buy, go test some of the mass-market winners, even if they're not on your short list, just to set a standard for yourself. A standard for the $$.

I test drove the following cars (over a decent period of time) while waiting the year and a half for our MINI.

VW Golf GTI 1.8T & VR6
VW New Beetle Turbo S
Honda Civic Si-R
Acura RSX Type S
Ford Focus SVT
Toyota Celica GT-S
Mazda Protoge5
Hyundai Tiburon V6
Pontiac Vibe GT
Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V
Nissan Altima V6
Subaru Impreza RS

It's a motly list, sure, but it represents a few brands, and they're all more fun than basic transportation. Some are faster, all are bigger, but none were to me, more fun.

I might have missed a few, or tested too many. I'm sure I was biased towards the MINI from the outset, but at least I know what was available as an alternative at the time, and I'm happy with my purchase.

The worst feeling is to drive something else cheaper and nicer when you've just bought yours. So shop around.

And of course, www.____.com is gonna be biased towards ____, and say ____ is the best car ever made.

[Basil]

Your right Noahe.

Sorry, a bit bitter still. I shouldn't comment in these threads really.

[KarmanS]

Quote:

Originally posted by noahe

Ooh... I'd like a VW Golf 4-Dr with a VR6, 6-Speed and 4Motion as a "Family Car" to park next to the MINI. Do they make that?

You are in luck cause they actually have that particular model in Europe if you wish to spend some extra dollars to import one over Of course, you can always wait for the R32 4-door to hit the N. American shores next year.

[AprilWhine]

I would get in line to buy a Dune Beetle, but VW says it's a concept car only with no plans for production.

[MINImalist]

Quote:

Originally posted by ghost
Majority is saying MINI. Maybe you all are too biased? (except the few of you that own/have owned NB's)

I like the VW 1.8T, but would get it in a Golf. The New Beetle is way too "cutesy" for my tastes, and I'm already tired of seeing them on the road. That might happen with the Mini, too, but I just don't think so.
The PT Cruiser is now everywhere you look, but I'm not literally sick of looking at it.
I also don't care for all of the wasted interior space in the New Beetle (dash area), and there's no arguing the cargo area of the Golf is far superior/more useful.
I also really like the Mini, and am very impressed with its build quality. I think a Mini or a VW would be about an even bet either way, but whatever you do DON'T repaint a new car - aftermarket paint jobs, no matter how good, will always chip easier than factory, and will add so much to the cost of the car overall that you'd be much happier compromising on another color. FWIW the Indi Blue looks much better to me than the Electric Blue, so it wouldn't even be an issue. In the end it's all a matter of personal taste - let her drive all of the possibilities and she will probably have a pretty good idea of what suits her .

[cooper4us]

The 1.8T VW Golf 5-door hatchback was discontinued after model year 2001. Too bad as this probably was the best argument for buying a 5 door Golf which I happen to like better than the Jetta and the ugly Beetle.

If you want a new 5 door Golf now, you have to settle for either the base 2.0L 115HP gas engine or the 2.0L TDI 90HP Turbo-Diesel engine.

A new MK V platform for the Beetle/Jetta/Golf/GTI is right around the corner. The current MK IV platform is already dated and still very problematic in terms of long term reliability.

[noahe]

Quote:

Originally posted by Basil
Sorry, a bit bitter still. I shouldn't comment in these threads really.

Don't be sorry. If one person has an opinion here, it probably means thousands of others do too.

Really, I think we're all sorry you didn't fall in love with yours. You've got company for your disappointment on MINI2, but lucky for the rest of us, you're in the minority.

[Rustle]

I'm selling my NB 1.8t and my new MCS is on the boat now.
Having driven the bug for about 3 years and test driving the MCS i can offer the following opinions:
The Beetle is quicker, even stock. BUT The bug has worse body roll than a '72 buick. The handling stinks...
The Mini is hands down better ...
as for resale on the bug ... lets see 21K new and 9K now (if i'm lucky) after 3 years 30k miles ... not too good.

jmho
-R