[Red Dwarf]

Definitely not, I think it's a total hotch potch of designs. Looks like one person did the front, one the cabin and one the rear.... and they didn't tell each other what they were doing .. yuck. Looks like a kit car too! Do you think I made myself clear enough??

[gone_motoring]

most likely that teaser ad is just the lower hp automatic version....for the 230 hp 6 speed you'll still have to pay at least $28 K.

[northandy]

Quote: Originally Posted by dav

I love my 2004 MCS with 10,000 troublefree miles, but if this deal was around when I purchased my Cooper S I would have been very, very tempted. Found this ad in the local paper here is So Cal on Saturday. I just love that new Renesis Rotary powerplant. Smoooooooooooth.......

So around 12.5k GBP..... I'd have one in a shot !!!.... at that price i'd keep my S as well !!!... I looked at the RX8 recently.... loved the doors, but didnt love the headroom, smacked my head getting out ! ..... but we pay 21k gbp for the base 190 model here

[stryder]

Hey guys, realize an MCS starts at $20K, which is 11kgbp... Though sales tax and registration aren't included.

Its blown out of proportion due to the exchange rate and the fact that british cars are priced 'on the road' vs. US ones have other stuff added into the price.

[kyriian]

no.. no matter how much i loved the rensis rotary of the RX8... it such a large package i rather stayed with a miata and swap the rotary in it

now.. a mini with the rotary behind the driver.. with Works S engine conversion up front... that's a different story! wonder if anyone actually has tried a twin engine mini

[Cold Side]

Can anyone tell me what is so good about the rotary engine? It has no torque low down, it needs thrashing hard to get the power out of it and you might not thrash it that hard becasue when you do it sounds like it is about to break. And it probably is as well, people have had serious problems with the engine. So why is it a plus for the car??

[Spy Car]

My first car was a RX-4 rotary-engined sedan. Ugly but fast

Now the RX-8...I dunno.

They say the MINI is a "small" car...but I'm a big tall guy but I feel quite comfortable.

Tried to sit in a RX-8...no way I could get my 6'1" frame inside. Might be a fun car if you can fit

[stryder]

The rotary is extremely compact. Because of its small size, the engine can be located very far back from the front of the car. This allows a perfect 50/50 weight distribution.

Also, rotaries aren't inherently low torque, it just ended up that the renesis engine they put in the rx-8 is. I think their feeling is that most of the time you don't need huge acceleration, and when you do want it, you just keep your foot on the gas and shift at redline. An MC is a lot like that as well, you really do need to rev up a Cooper to get it to accelerate, but not quite to the same extent, (maybe because it doesn't have a 9000 rpm limit, there's just revving allowed).

The other rotary benefits (off the top of my head)

1. way less parts. Compared to a 6 cylinder engine, there's just so few things. If you ignore seals, you have 2 rotors and an eccentric shaft that move. No valves, not 6 pistons, not 6 connecting rods, no camshafts, you don't even need to worry about timing belts or chains.

2. rotational energy is more efficient. From an engineering standpoint, it doesn't make sense to have everything violently moving up, then down as it attempts to create rotational energy

3. Old rotarty engines were amazingly easy to turbo, hence Mazda did it for all 3 of versions of the rx-7 in japan and the 2nd and 3rd in the US.

Of course the reliability issue and the emissions problems are the downside. But hey, if it was easy to make a rotary engine, everyone would have done it, and if they can actually get one working effectively, it'd be great. MINIs had inital problems with things like pulling to one side, the gear linkage falling off and the MCS cold start stumble. RX-8s have troubles with well, the engines breaking. Its just its a much more catostrophic problem, but if Mazda can sort out the problems, then in 2 years the worries about reliability will be gone, and everyone can admire the benefits of the car.

Oh, and one more thing, its just cool to drive a car that's different from everyone else who's busy using piston power. Mazda tried to capitalize on that with the RX-8 because it has rotor shapes all over the interior and exterior.

[dav]

Trust me, I have no plans on selling my 2004 Cooper S. Plus, I paid $2300 less for my brand new MCS than the RX-8 is selling for in this ad. My Mini puts a grin on my face everytime I turn the key! No other car offers this much bang for the buck.....

[eddie_DV52_CCZ]

rotary engines - apperantly cause less friction so should last longer, less wear on vital parts.

we have been working on pistons ect for years and years, if we speed as much time on the rotary engine then it could be alot better.

i'm thinking that the Mini is still in a different class, if you want to look like sports car buy one! this car aint individual every car company is pumping these out.... how many pump out something so trendy as a MINI, VW tried and failed...

MINI wins every single time... btw, is it me or does every mini guy hate VW beetles?

[eddie_DV52_CCZ]

hate is abt strong there, dislike is better...

over priced ugly bugs...

then again the old mini's kicked the beetles ass back in the days.

[geminiCS]

Nope! My father in law has an RX-8. It is a nice car, but not something I would buy. Besides, I could always take his for a spin if I have the urge to drive it (I don't).

[EBMCS03]

prob not... but the RX-8 is an awesome car... I really like it.

[Smurfn]

I'd certainly consider one. My wife may be looking for a new car soon and the RX-8 may be an option due to the back doors which may make it easier to fit the kid(s) in

[ScottyB]

Quote: Originally Posted by smurfn

I'd certainly consider one. My wife may be looking for a new car soon and the RX-8 may be an option due to the back doors which may make it easier to fit the kid(s) in

Nice cars - Jeremy Clarkson certainly thinks theyre the stuff (Just finished watching Shoot Out!)

There another one on the way smurfn??

[marrsbar]

i sat in one whilst my sister test drove it. i hated the inside, it felt really cramped. she said that it felt like it wanted 'to go but couldnt' - im not too sure what she meant but it cant be a good thing! she went for the Z4 instead, and she swore she would never drive a BMW.

[azimmerm]

don't like the styling, inside or out.

[dmholmes]

Probably be looking for one when the lease on the Cooper is up. Love just about everything in the RX-8. Not really wild about the looks but that is a very small part of car ownership for me. Much more interested in the driving experience and the 8 is a real hoot.

[EBMCS03]

Quote: Originally Posted by marrsbar

and she swore she would never drive a BMW.

Is that before or after the fact that she bought a Z4?

[R1]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul!

R1 & JBOO,

Blasphemers!!!



-Paul!

Sorry!!

I really am in a bit of a quandery as to what car to buy next!

I'm keeping my Cooper for a while longer yet, and I'm very happy with it, but I probably won't but another Cooper, as I never buy the same car twice, and the "S" just doesn't do it for me as I don't think it's that much better than the Cooper.

Maybe I might try a Works "S" or something. Then again there's a lot of good cars out there for Works "S" money!

Oh I dont know!!