[Bort]

... maybe. It's been a LONG time since I've been here. For the past year I've been looking into buying a car and at the time the mini was the only car I wanted. However after hearing of the two year wait lists, (well, it was two years at the time I wanted the mini), and all the rumors of mods and future variants coming out I really didn't know how I'd get the mini and exactly what I'd want to do with the mini once I got it. I tried my best to get the car ASAP and also get firm information on what was going on with the car but there was just too much going on with the car at the time it just left me confused. At any rate I still wanted the Mini and decided I'd place a deposit on one.

Since I had about a year to kill after I placed a deposit at NW Mini, I decided to help my friends evaluate and buy their cars. During the process I test drove many cars. I drove just about every car above $23K from every manufacture and I tell ya it's been a very wild experience. Over the past year of shopping for cars I also learned ALOT about the true costs of cars and the financing involved. During this time I also discovered the Infiniti G35 Coupe. After I test drove one I decided to get the Coupe and I placed a down payment on one and got my deposit from mini back. (This does not include the near fatal mistake of buying the IS300!!! Thank God the IS300 I ordered didn't come in!). Unfortunately at that time the G35 Coupe had a wait list as well and my dealer couldn't get me one until early summer at best. Well, at this point I basically decided that both the cars I wanted would require me to wait and since the wait on the Coupe was much shorter than the mini I decided to stick with the G35.

It's been over two months since I placed the deposit on the G and during those months I've seen about 20 mini's and 1 G coupe on the road. That convinced me that I made the right choice in getting the Coupe since only 12,000 are going to be sold in North America per year which would make it more rare than the mini. The power and the luxury in the Coupe was something the Mini couldn't aspire to even in it's dreams. This further sealed the deal for me. However I started to think about my future with the Coupe and I realized that first off the Coupe would cost me $37,600 vs. $26,000 for the Cooper S, with the options/accessories I'd want, and I'd sell it in 5 years to get a better car (The new GT-R ). At this point it hit me, I'd be spending about $450 a month for the next 60 month to buy the G and that doesn't include the cost of gas, insurance, and the $15,000 down payment. This kinda put things into perspective. I also didn't want to waste an extra $11,000 on a car I know I wouldn't be interested in in 5 years. So I started to think about what I was doing. I wondered if I just caught the performance bug and was looking for a car that would get me the most bang and luxury for the buck or if I was just too impatient to wait for the mini. Maybe it was both? I still don't know.

Well to sum things up I'm basically thinking I'll get the Mini again. I think I'll just put a supercharger, header, exhaust, and coil-overs into the mini and that should perform well enough for now. It would also save me alot of money as well in the long run. At this point in my life getting a car is my main concern but the more important goal after I get my car is getting a house. I'd rather spend the money I'd put towards the G on a downpayment on a house.

It's so hard deciding what car to get when you can only afford one. I swear I need to be able to afford 10 cars to be content. I still am not sure what I should get. The Coupe has Power, luxury, sleek design, quality, and is rare. The mini is more of a "cool" car to drive but it's not really all that if you look at it performance wise. The total money I'd have to spend on the mini, (car plus mods), to get it at the performance level I'd be happy with would cost $30,000+. Thats alot of money for, literally, a little car. Now this is what gets me into trouble. If I spend say, $2,000 more I can get the Subaru STi which has 300/300 HP/Torque. Of course that STi has no luxury and performance isn't the only thing important to me so now then if I'm spending $32,000 on the STi, whats 5K more for the G coupe which has a near perfect balance of performance and luxury???

See what I'm going through??!?! I need some help folks! What should I do? All the cars I want do not sell for less than MSRP as well, thats what really bites since I'd factor in what car I could get the best deal on in my decisions. I'd like your advice on this. I'm going insane here. And now I'm thinking the only time in my life a car like the mini could be practical would be now while i'm young, unmarried, single and just out to have fun driving. Aaugh! This sucks.

Mike.

[eltel]

Gee thanks you for sharing that with us. You've really got a serious problem there. Young, single, well off.

I've got a MINI S and I'm as happy as a pig in ****.

[Keevan]

dude.. you got the wrong approach there:


ask yourself one question:


What car would the type of women you like want her boyfriend to drive..
?

I choose the MINI S, S I like women who want a MINI-driver type of guy in her bed..

[jbramhall]

I just came off a string of $40K+ cars and bought an MCS. This car is the most fun to drive vehicle on the road. You won't regret it. If you're like me, you'll wonder what you were wasting your money on before the MINI.

[MiniUpgradeUK]

Hi there Bort

Im in the same position as you, have not got a clue as to what to do. By the time i have saved for the car, it is going to be around a year, then i can buy it with a bankdraft

The thing is, im single as well, and erning really good money at the moment, and have no bills what so ever. So im thinking by the time i have around £ 30.000.00 pounds for the car, i really only have to wate anouther year, and i will be able to buy myself a nice little flat on the south coast of Spain.

If i do decide to wate, and go for the flat in Spain, renting it out per month, i could be making around £ 1.600 per month, on top of my normal wages at the moment.

What to do, what to do, i dont know as the intelegent side of me, is saying get the flat, and the daft kid side of me, is saying get the mini, mini is good, mini is good, mini is good, hahahaha

cheers and goodluck, a muddled Roman hahahahaha

[bobntx]

Bort, choose wisely, because you're talking about two VERY different cars.

However... I'm not sure where you're coming from on the whole "performance is better on the G35" thing. You do realize that the 0-60 times for the Cooper S and the G35 are almost identical, right?? With the Cooper S published number actually being 0.1 second faster???? And that there isn't a car out there that will give you the handling and glue itself to the road like the Cooper S will, right? Don't let the luxury status and high horsepower of the G35 fool you... that doesn't mean it's a better performing car.

But it does mean it's a VERY different car from the Cooper S. If you want a luxury car, get the G35, if you want a fun car, get the Cooper S. With me, that's what it comes down to. I base all my car purchases on most fun for the buck... and I can tell you for sure, there's no way in hell the G35 has $11k more fun in it than the Cooper S

You also have to consider what you do with the car. The MINI is the perfect car for you and your girlfriend, or you and your buddy, and a boot full of luggage. Does your car haul around bunches of people a lot? Does it take multiple clients to business lunches often? If things like that happen a lot, you should consider the G35. If things like that DON'T happen very often, and I was faced with the choice of a G35 or a Cooper S, I wouldn't hesitate in the slightest bit to go with the Cooper S.

A side note of interest is that this opinion is coming from someone who owns NEITHER of those cars, but has driven both. I did not make a choice between those two, so my opinion is (somewhat) unbiased. And... I am also the current owner of a BMW 325i who is waiting for his new MINI Cooper to arrive to replace it. For me, the Cooper ended up being most fun for the buck over the Cooper S... but I won't get anyone started about that Just keep in mind the "for me" part before anyone slams me on that one

~bob

[james4513]

Small world. I had already decided to buy a G35 (Sedan, not Coupe)but could not put a deal together to trade my Mercedes. Decided to wait for the '04s. The G35's are great cars and great deals for the money.

Then I drove an MCS. That was it. I was just more fun and has this iMac-like appeal that's hard to describe. It also attracts enthusiasts (the G35 doupe does too, but they ***** a lot). And it's $10K less.

I ordered my yellow MCS last weekend.

[Bort]

Hmm... it's good to know there are others out there (or should I say in here) that have gone or are going through the same thing as me.

Well, after sleeping on it I'm still not sure. I still want the G since it has all those nice performance/luxury parts already included, like the Brembo Brakes. Yet the more sensable side says to get the cooper S and just add mods to it. This could cost me an arm and a leg and I don't want to void my warranty. I guess I'll see what is included in the Works package once it gets released and once we know what kind of performance\price to expect.

As for performance, the Cooper S has a 0-60 time of 7.2 seconds. The G Coupe can do it in 5.8 seconds. 1/4 mile is also better in the G than the cooper. I saw the results of several coopers with various performance packages thrown on and the best 0-60 time was still over 6 seconds. (Tell me I'm wrong!!) I'd get the Mini without any questions if I could get a 0-60 time in the low - mid 5's and a quarter mile time in the 12's. Who knows what that will cost though. I want to see a LSD and better designed intercooler on the cooper S as well. I don't know why they sell the cooper s without a LSD.

As for picking up 'chicks' with the car. I don't think so. I personally want to avoid girls who like a guy based on what car they drive. But I guess all women look at the guys' car so I'll have to pick the lesser of the evils. I should get the Mini huh?

I'll wait and see... I got nothing but time anyways. I'm also headed for the auto show in town so I'll see what else is comming out.

Thanks for the reply's.
Mike.

[stryder]

Quote:

Originally posted by Bort
Hmm... it's good to know there are others out there (or should I say in here) that have gone or are going through the same thing as me.

Well, after sleeping on it I'm still not sure. I still want the G since it has all those nice performance/luxury parts already included, like the Brembo Brakes. Yet the more sensable side says to get the cooper S and just add mods to it. This could cost me an arm and a leg and I don't want to void my warranty. I guess I'll see what is included in the Works package once it gets released and once we know what kind of performance\price to expect.

As for performance, the Cooper S has a 0-60 time of 7.2 seconds. The G Coupe can do it in 5.8 seconds. 1/4 mile is also better in the G than the cooper. I saw the results of several coopers with various performance packages thrown on and the best 0-60 time was still over 6 seconds. (Tell me I'm wrong!!) I'd get the Mini without any questions if I could get a 0-60 time in the low - mid 5's and a quarter mile time in the 12's. Who knows what that will cost though. I want to see a LSD and better designed intercooler on the cooper S as well. I don't know why they sell the cooper s without a LSD.
Mike.

LSD's tend to decrease the turning circle and the circle's already above 30ft, (even though the car's short) and LSD's are expensive, the car does start below $20K you know.

As for brakes and stuff, most everything you do will void your warranty, but if you ignore that, its difficult to spend $11K upgrading an S and still have it be a daily driver. Brakes, Wheels, Intercooler, Exhaust and Intake would still be less then half that, probably a good amount less then $5.5K. I'm not sure about the brakes though, change the pads which shouldn't void your warranty, and they should work fine except for track days. Unless you like the looks of 14" brakes because you want 18" wheels or something, I don't think they're necessary, even if you get the S up to 200hp. It'll save you a bunch too. Check out the performance forum, there's good listings of what is available and what is coming out.

Also the S 0-60 Time from MINIUSA is 6.9, the 7.2 number would be 0-100kmh (62mph) which tends to require a shift into 3rd.

Lots of people are in the same situation, I'm sure you'll get good advice here, but it is your decision.

[Bk MCS]

I'm going through this too but with what mods to put on my MCS when I get it. I asked friends for advice, and the truth is that I would agree with them but their advice is meaningless. I'm still deciding. So you just have to go with your heart, and post on G35 and housewife forums also if you dont want a byast answer.

[bobntx]

Sorry about the 0-60... I was apparently looking at the G35 or something. Car and Driver says 6.0 in the G35 Coupe and MINIusa.com says 6.9 in the S. I'm guessing you race your cars? During daily driving, or even heavily spirited driving, most would never even see the 0.9 second difference. I have a hard time believing it's possible to actually push a car to that level anywhere but at the track, or out in the middle of nowhere... at least for me anyway. So you're telling me that 0.9 seconds is worth $11k? Must be nice to be able to spend that kind of money on 0.9 seconds If it's that important to you though, you should be leaning towards the G35 Coupe.

The MINI, to me, is all about being carefree and a bit irresponsible, being young at heart and a little wild... and it has a personality that's second to none. To me, it says... "Hop in, let's motor... who cares where we're going!"

The G35 Coupe is all about being mature and driving an "adult sports car", and it has an "I drive a luxury car" kind of attitude that I personally don't find any appeal in. To me it says... "I've got money, and I like to go very fast". I'm not knocking that though... for some people, that's what they want, and that's cool.

What this thread should be telling you is that what car you drive is a very personal thing... and everyone has different reasons and a different set of criteria that'll make them happy. Honestly Bort, from what you say and the impression you give me... I'd be inclined to say go with the G35 Coupe. But remember, that a car is a lot more than 0-60... and it says a LOT about a car that has a whopping 117 LESS horsepower but is only 0.9 seconds slower. My advice to you would be to go take several test drives in both the Cooper S and the G35 Coupe, peferrably back to back, and then pick the one that makes you the happiest behind the wheel.

~bob

[Boo]

Quote:

Originally posted by Bort

Well, after sleeping on it I'm still not sure. I still want the G since it has all those nice performance/luxury parts already included, like the Brembo Brakes. Yet the more sensable side says to get the cooper S and just add mods to it. This could cost me an arm and a leg and I don't want to void my warranty. I guess I'll see what is included in the Works package once it gets released and once we know what kind of performance\price to expect.

As for performance, the Cooper S has a 0-60 time of 7.2 seconds. The G Coupe can do it in 5.8 seconds. 1/4 mile is also better in the G than the cooper. I saw the results of several coopers with various performance packages thrown on and the best 0-60 time was still over 6 seconds. (Tell me I'm wrong!!) I'd get the Mini without any questions if I could get a 0-60 time in the low - mid 5's and a quarter mile time in the 12's. Who knows what that will cost though. I want to see a LSD and better designed intercooler on the cooper S as well. I don't know why they sell the cooper s without a LSD.

Thanks for the reply's.
Mike.

An interesting dilemma.....
I don't know what a G35 is but i will let you in on a little dilemma that my simple stock standard S has given to a proud owner of a new M3....
I took my little stock standard Cooper S (road legal race tyres on) down to a local Racetrack for a spin with the BMW Club...
They showed me the ropes on what to do as this is my first performance car and my first day ever on a racetrack...

After 4 sessions of 10 mins on the track, three of them with instructors.. i ended up lapping .5 sec slower than the M3 that was piloted by an enthusiast who has spent considerable more time racing.
Granted, it was not an open speed course but a good technical track (so i am told)... he was hitting 180-190 km/h down the straight and i only 155km/h,,, but come the corners.... you see what i mean...
He came to me at the end of the day and relayed his sentiment that maybe he will trade his M3 in and get a Cooper S and pocket the extra 100K AUD...

I ended up 3.8 sec slower than the STi (this guy was experienced too) but on the last 3 laps i turned the DSC off and instantly found more grunt out of the corners and would have been at least a second and a half quicker again(thoroughly recommend taking your car on the track to see how good DSC really is )

And all this from a stock mini...

Give me more experience and the Works kit and i guarantee you that the STi is toast... the M3 more so...

Just my opinion... bought the Mini Cooper S for its cornering ability and looks and it has delivered in adundance....

[eltel]

Boo, I wish that I could have been there to see all of that. And they still let you join the BMW Club NSW?

Well done. Give em heaps.

Regards, ElTel


PS Start a thread on this and tell your story again to the rest of the group.

[Boo]

I'll say this much....

After that day... I'm am soooo addicted!!
I am so much looking forward to having my Cooper S "Works" on the track for the shear pleasure of driving.
160KW with great handling in a front wheel drive on a smooth curcuit...
Damn they slide nicely with the DSC off...

Did I mention the way they break... niiiice

[IBMiniG]

Get the MINI, the performance in the S is enough to break every law and then some. The experience in a MINI is unlike any other car. Its a friendly car, the Q seems a bit unapproachable. Since you mentioned saving to buy a house I imaging you have better places to spend you dollars than a huge car payment. I put $14K down and only pay $269 a month, fully loaded. Insurance $1100 a year, last tank got 25mpg+. The MINI is the best value for your money, smiles, miles and fun. And Northwest MINI is the best dealer I have ever known. Its strange to imagine the sell cars, more like they take care of those that drive their cars.

If you have thought about a MINI this long you dont need us, when you number comes up the only tough choice will be what color combo.....

[Spy Car]

If you are going to get a G35 you better be SHORT!

Boy are those cars cramped inside. My MCS has tons more headroom, and for me (over six one) headroom is the ultimate luxury.

The interior of the G35 is nice but as my wife said to me it has a very feminine feeling to it (not that there is anything wrong with that) but I could never be comfortable in one.

Plus is there any car as fun to drive as an S?, I don't think so.