[Skinnyrunt]

Quote: Originally Posted by Quentin

Did you ever see where they placed the gear stick? How the hell are you supposed to shift faster than in the mini with that one??? ...

It's close to the wheel so it doesn't take as long to get your hand to it

[carlemuk]

Ok, first post so be gentle!

I bought a Civic Type R from new back in June and am very happy with it. At the time I was torn between the Cooper S and the Type R but ended up going for the Honda due to it being a bit more practical as a first car (boot space being the main concern - need to fit 3 or 4 people plus golf bags!) It was a tricky decision to make especially having driven both cars on test drives. I found the Mini to be slightly slower than the Civic but there's really not much in it at all. The noise that comes off the Type R between the 2nd phase of the v-tec kicking in at 5900 and the limiter kicking in at 8300rpm is just amazing. It really does sound like a touring car! However the mini was definitely more fun to through about on an A or B road. The styling inside and out of the Type R is a bit dull especially when compared to the Mini.

As it happens we are now looking to change my other halfs car and are seriously considering the Cooper S again.

I think they both have positive and minus points and it's just down to your usage which will determine which is better for you.

[Skinnyrunt]

Quote: Originally Posted by carlemuk

I think they both have positive and minus points and it's just down to your usage which will determine which is better for you.

Well said

[badboyzbadboyz]

Quote: Originally Posted by carlemuk

Ok, first post so be gentle!

I bought a Civic Type R from new back in June and am very happy with it. At the time I was torn between the Cooper S and the Type R but ended up going for the Honda due to it being a bit more practical as a first car (boot space being the main concern - need to fit 3 or 4 people plus golf bags!) It was a tricky decision to make especially having driven both cars on test drives. I found the Mini to be slightly slower than the Civic but there's really not much in it at all. The noise that comes off the Type R between the 2nd phase of the v-tec kicking in at 5900 and the limiter kicking in at 8300rpm is just amazing. It really does sound like a touring car! However the mini was definitely more fun to through about on an A or B road. The styling inside and out of the Type R is a bit dull especially when compared to the Mini.

As it happens we are now looking to change my other halfs car and are seriously considering the Cooper S again.

I think they both have positive and minus points and it's just down to your usage which will determine which is better for you.

Nice post ... very informative

[Parc77]

Hey have had numerous faults on my S, think I got one of the Friday night cars, Mini are currently trying to sort some form of compensation. However id rather have the S any day over the Amstrad type-R, the last time I saw an ugly flying wedge like that was an Austin Princess. In a straight line the amstrad has the S beaten but on the back roads the S comes good, besides it depends whos driving it.

[Kurtster]

So what if it's faster? So is the WRX.

I've always said, "It doesn't matter how fast it is if it doesn't stir your emotions when you look at it".

Civics, Accords, Sonatas, Subarus...all snoozers to look at if you ask me. Heck the WRX is downright fugly IMO. I like the S2000 though.

[adamlondon]

Quote:

In a straight line the amstrad has the S beaten but on the back roads the S comes good, besides it depends whos driving it.

I have a Cooper S on order, to be delivered in 7 days, and I love it. However, the Type R is faster, and not just in a straight line. On a test track the Type R is only marginally slower that the S2000. I agree that the MCS is a better all-round car, but the Honda is faster. If I could afford the insurance I would have one. You have to take one for a test drive to understand.

[Hong Kong Phoey]

First reply so take it easy guys, esp as this is going to be a long un

I currently own a CTR but the mother in law has just placed an order for a Cooper (not S ) so I thought I'd get on here and check you guys out. I'm really looking forward to her getting the car as I'm desperate for a spin. Not really interested in which is better (CTR or MC) but just want to experience the car myself as I love the car but the MCS never really made my shortlist (I have two kids and need a bigger car for shopping, luggage etc.).

Having read some of the CTR vs MCS threads here I find it really interesting that the two have been compared so much (and with so much passion ) considering they are such different beasts.

WRT looks/image the Mini wins hands down but this is mainly due to the fact that the Mini was re-designed with looks/image as the main priority. The original Mini is still a much loved classic so as long as BMW carried on that fun/cheeky/stylish image they were always on to a winner and TBH they've done a cracking job.

With the Civic the priority was to design a car that would re-define levels of space/practicality for the family hatch - hence the cabin forward/mini MPV looks. Honda have succeeded though as the Civic is currently the class leader, massively practical and swallows people/luggage etc. Personally I think the CTR looks great and even more so considering the standard Civic looks absolutely awful. Personally I needed a hatch that would be both practical and great to drive and for the money (I paid £14,895 for a new model) there’s not a lot else around that was as focussed as the CTR (didn’t fancy an ST170, Cupra R, Golf or 147).

WRT options Honda have done a really naff job of advertising it's options list as you can actually get full leather seats, fogs, CD changers, SAT NAV, trackers and a whole host of luggage/trim options.

Handling wise the Mini should have the edge as it's got a wide track but is a much smaller car (shorter than the new Ibiza oddly enough ) so is no surprise that, allied to BMW engineering, it is better than the CTR. Personally though I think you need time to adjust to the CTR's foibles like the stiff set-up and numb steering. It's actually really difficult to get used to on a test drive but once used to it it flies through A/B roads and is wicked fun. The other thing worth mentioning is that you get a free 1 day course (usually £300) with an ex grade 1 Police instructor to help develop/improve your driving skills. Well worth doing and it has greatly improved my progress through the twisties

As for the drive train Honda make some of the best engines in the world and the 2 litre i-VTEC is no exception. With a torque curve that's as flat as a pancake the engine is incredibly flexible and does not need to be above 6k rpm to make good progress. The gearbox is also a dream to use and adds to the experience as does the engine note when the cam changes and the scenery goes all blurry . For those that doubt the sheer slickness of the gear change most forced induction cars like the Focus RS can get to 60 in second gear whilst the CTR can only get to 60 in 3rd so getting pretty equal 0-60 times with an extra change isn’t bad at all.

At the end of the day people want different things out of cars and for me the CTR satisfied more requirements than anything else. I find it massively enjoyable to drive, the residuals are good, it has class leading safety/reliability/practicality and my dealer is excellent too (Avonvale, Northampton). As an overall package I’d say the CTR is hard to beat.

Soz for the novel !!

[badboyzbadboyz]

Quote: Originally Posted by Hong Kong Phoey

As an overall package I’d say the CTR is hard to beat.

Yea I would agree that the CTR is the benchmark for hatchback performance - but whether its the best overall package I think comes down to personal preference. Still, they are both great cars

[Type-R-barker]

Quote: Originally Posted by badboyzbadboyz (original)

Yea I would agree that the CTR is the benchmark for hatchback performance - but whether its the best overall package I think comes down to personal preference. Still, they are both great cars

TOTALLY AGREE

the type R is by far king of the road, Im sorry MR BEAN drives a mini. That says it all...

[Fin]

I wouldn't put the CTR as king of the road. I'd give that title to the Megane R26 F1 first.

[Sir Jake the Brit]

Quote: Originally Posted by adamlondon (original)

The day before I ordered my MCS I went to test drive the Honda Civic Type R. I really wanted the Type R, and on the plus side it was even cheaper than the MCS, but by the time I had finished my test drive my insurance company had finished the calculations on re-mortgaging my flat to cover the premium! (in short it would have been £3000+ per year ). However, in hindsight I feel that I made the right choice with the Mini, despite being a slightly slower car. I am rather interested to know if anyone here has been tempted to stray from the righteous path of Mini and buy a Type R, or conversely have any Type R owners seen the light and moved over to Mini? And to be honest, even if you have no idea what a Type R is it would be nice to hear from you, as it is rather depressing to post a thread and get no replies! Talk amongst yourselves...

Adam

in real term road going runs the ctr aint any quicker than the S, believe me when mine was standard i had a few run. the s on paper may be like .5 of a second to 60 slower but you dont notice that on a proper road with bend where it aint just traffic light dashes.
then tbh the standard against standard there is not difference in the 1/4 mile both about 16.1!!!
befor i got the mcs i went out wanting a type r as i had a "proper" mini and wasnt to bothered about the new minis but the type r felt lathargic compared to the blast that is the whine of a cooper s's super charger!!

[Sir Jake the Brit]

Quote: Originally Posted by Type-R-barker (original)

TOTALLY AGREE

the type R is by far king of the road, Im sorry MR BEAN drives a mini. That says it all...

king of the road??? lmao!!!!
sorry mate for the extra power they dont have anything on a cooper S on corners
annnnnnnnnnnnd the standard models both run like 16.1 1/4 miles so there appears to be no difference there either!!!!!
get a cooper S to around 200bhp and they will make a type r look silly!!!

love both cars but the s is more classy (LESS CHAVVY!!!!) more charactor in looks as id dont like similar in shape to every otherhatch out on the market!!!

and unfortunatly a guy on this chat has summed it up
the megan r26 probably rules the roost there, tho i'd say JCW GP all the way!!
i take it you got a type r and not a mini then???

[Sir Jake the Brit]

Quote: Originally Posted by Skinnyrunt (original)

It's close to the wheel so it doesn't take as long to get your hand to it

take your hand off the wheel a lil' bit earlier!!!! lol