[jambo101]

anyone made the change from miata to mini and what do you think of the mini by comparison. what do you think are the strengths and weakneses in the two vehicles?

[thegrommit]

been there, done that (especially on the second page)

Welcome to MINI2 BTW

[jambo101]

didnt get your meaning grommet

[Spy Car]

Welcome to MINI2

What he meant was that the issue has been widely discussed and he posted a link to a very good thread. Should be very interesting read for you.

A lot of people have come to MINIs after owning Miatas. Makes sense since they are two great handling small cars. There are some RWD vs FWD issues discussed, but over all I think it is fair to say nobody feels they "downgraded' when they moved to a MINI.

[Grimfool]

I've got my order in for a MCS in BRG - estimated production date 04/Jul/03 but I won't be selling my '97 miata as it's too damn nice to drive in the summer. One of the reasons I'm going for a mini is that the last winter here in Baltimore was too dangerous to drive the miata all the time. so seeing as I'm in the USA I might as well have 3 cars!- the trouble's got a Jag X-type

[thegrommit]

<=== deeply envious

As for a "downgrade", I only feel that way when it's a mid 20's day and the sun is out

Quote:

Originally posted by Grimfool
I've got my order in for a MCS in BRG - estimated production date 04/Jul/03 but I won't be selling my '97 miata as it's too damn nice to drive in the summer.

[dmholmes]

Best of both worlds, kept the Miata AND got a Mini Both great handling cars with kind of questionable ergonomics IMO. Mini feels more tossable to me but I definitely prefer the motor and transmission of the Miata. I love both cars for very different reasons. Oh, and the brakes in the Mini kick a#$!

[MEmini]

Quote:

Originally posted by dmholmes
Best of both worlds, kept the Miata AND got a Mini ... I love both cars for very different reasons.

My third car is an old Dodge 4x4 truck for trips to get gardening /building/ house supplies only....

[JamesBond]

Went from 99 Miata to a MINI cooper non (s). I definately upgraded. Much more car for the money.

[paulusdr]

Oh!
You mean a Mazda MX5

We Brits get there in the end

[MiniCooper]

MX-5 2 Mini, Mazda Miata sounds a lot more exotic, do u have teh RX-8 in the US. Or the Mazda Rita?:P:P

[dco43054]

Been there, done that as well.

I'm 6' tall, and while I loved the Miata, I never could get comfortable with the top up. Always slouching to keep my head from rubbing the headliner. And the pedal position just never worked for me. I loved the car though, it was a load of fun and if I could have afforded all my toys, and had the garage space, I would have kept it. 99 Green/Tan leather. I do miss it.

So now I have a BRG 03 MCS with the sunroof. An acceptable trade-off. The MINI is much more comfortable, I fit well and it is as much fun to drive. Depending on what the convertibles look like, I might just have to trade up to an MCS convertible in a year or two.

Oh - and my other car still is a 97 Ford Explorer 4 dr XLT. While the MINI is definitely bigger than the Miata (MX5), still can't fit all the stuff from a trip to the home center inside.

Dave

[minimott]

I've been there too - had a Miata AND a MCS and just sold the Miata a coupla months ago. Loved the Miata but like the quality of the MINI better. I got tired of my Miata's doors sounding like tin cans when they closed. I like the gadgets on the MINI too. Just autocrossed the MINI for the first time last weekend and had a blast. I don't miss my Miata that much anymore to be honest. Very tossable!

minimott

(I haven't been on here in so long that I need to change my signature).

[Dark Silver S]

Quote:

Originally posted by dco43054
I'm 6' tall, and while I loved the Miata, I never could get comfortable with the top up. Always slouching to keep my head from rubbing the headliner. And the pedal position just never worked for me.
Dave

My SO now has a Miata MX-5, and I'm 6'4". I know just exactly what you mean.

I don't think it has the same kick as the S, either.

[JamesBond]

I could not agree with you more. The tinny Miata feels like less of a car when compared to a car like the MINI. I had 2 miatas 96&99 and I don't miss either car. The solidity, technology etc...even the engine tone. The MINI does it all better. With the exception of RWD donuts in the High school parking lot.

[X Wing]

Not "switched" so much, per se, as "complimented" my Miata with a MINI.

[Guuyuk]

I had my Miata (1989, very early production) for nearly 14 years. 277,000 miles with some problems here and there (paint falling off, also known as the Hiroshima Molt, dealership snapped the front end of the crankshaft off with the first timing belt change, rear end howling after 220,000 miles, replaced the top twice, plastic rear window 4 times, etc.), but I loved driving the car. Since I now have 2 children, and need to be able to take both to daycare, I had to give up the Miata.

I'm still getting comfortable with the MCS, but I think it is a great car (and so quiet!!! ) This is my first FWD drive car (other than my wife's Saturn, but I don't get to drive it that much), but so far it feels quite comfortable at speed through the twisties.

I never thought that the Miata was down on power, as long as you drove it properly. There's a saying that came from one of the designers of the Miata (and I bet it's from much further back as well): If you can't go fast with 90 horsepower, 900 horsepower won't help you.

I just got the MCS because I wanted to be sure I could get out of the way of the soccer moms in ther SUVs trying to kill me and my kids so their kids could get the honor roll bumper sticker.