Will I upgrade to 2005 Cooper S or 2005 WRX wagon?

[ejkd]

Dear fellow MINI owners,

I now owned a 2003 MC & it's our only car. I have a family and I contemplating to upgrade
to 2005 MCS. I made my wishlist on the MINI website which shows the price too.
The price is almost close to the 2005 WRX wagon. I test drove both cars. Both are different "animal" on the road. The WRX beats the MCS because of it's all wheel drive, more trunk space, decent space for rear passenger. The MCS beats the WRX (in my opinion) in i'ts "history", go-kart ride and more appeal.

Wife prefers the WRX because it's more practical and I can have my "fun" too if I so desired.


I need your advice or opinion.

Thank you.

"ejkd"

[SoggyCornFlakes]

do you want to look good in a MINI or feel an ass in a WRX - simple choice really

[beken]

When I bought my MCS, I went through the same line questioning. In fact, I started out with the intent of getting the Subie and the MINI wasn't even on my list. In the end, my decision was what I really needed the car for and then what I wanted the car for.

The Subie had AWD, but does not have ASC or EBD and the electronic safety goodies the MINI has. The MINI also has better rated gas mileage, but that savings disappears because the MINI engine begs to be flogged.

In the end, I preferred the styling and the interior design and build of the MINI. I noted that Subaru keeps redesigning the headlight treatment and other things on the car. Though a great drive, the car is really a trendy design (as opposed to classical) and once out of trend, is actually (my opinion only) rather ugly. I liked the driving position of the Subaru better but the feel of quality is much higher in the MINI.

So...to sit on the fence, the choice is yours. I tend to keep my cars a long time. I have another car that's 20 years old and the overall design still looks fresh. I believe if I kept my MINI 20 years, it would still look fresh.

Talk it over with your wife, because that's really important and get what you need. If handling and racecar driving feel is on your list, then I would recommend a MINI. If AWD and a large trunk is important then the Subie. Oh...if you have young kids currently, the size of the back seat isn't really that important. I think some people place an over-emphasis on that.

Good luck on your choice....

[Kaelaria]

Kinda apples and oranges there, man.

One of my considerations before the MCS was the new GTO. 4.6 0-60 with 400HP was VERY tempting, especially with the fact that my price is only $27,000. However, many things led me to the MSC over the GTO. You can't directly comapre the two though - the only thing similar is the price range.

[tools113]

Well it would be a tuff one. Cleveland in the winter - deffently the WRX - but why the wagon?

Being different and the handling - MINI _MINI_ MINI

[davemanning]

I had a 2002 WRX Wagon for 3 years before I got my MCS. The WRX was a lot of fun to drive - especially in the snow - but as a daily driver it was really only fun on the onramps. Compared to the MCS, it's a totally, radically different car - it's more trucklike (I had a Forester before the WRX, and it was really a truck), and frankly not as fun to drive.

Dave

[ejkd]

Quote: Originally Posted by beken

When I bought my MCS, I went through the same line questioning. In fact, I started out with the intent of getting the Subie and the MINI wasn't even on my list. In the end, my decision was what I really needed the car for and then what I wanted the car for.

The Subie had AWD, but does not have ASC or EBD and the electronic safety goodies the MINI has. The MINI also has better rated gas mileage, but that savings disappears because the MINI engine begs to be flogged.

In the end, I preferred the styling and the interior design and build of the MINI. I noted that Subaru keeps redesigning the headlight treatment and other things on the car. Though a great drive, the car is really a trendy design (as opposed to classical) and once out of trend, is actually (my opinion only) rather ugly. I liked the driving position of the Subaru better but the feel of quality is much higher in the MINI.

So...to sit on the fence, the choice is yours. I tend to keep my cars a long time. I have another car that's 20 years old and the overall design still looks fresh. I believe if I kept my MINI 20 years, it would still look fresh.

Talk it over with your wife, because that's really important and get what you need. If handling and racecar driving feel is on your list, then I would recommend a MINI. If AWD and a large trunk is important then the Subie. Oh...if you have young kids currently, the size of the back seat isn't really that important. I think some people place an over-emphasis on that.

Good luck on your choice....

"beken",

Thanks "beken" for a thoughtful advice & opinon. You are very much correct since it will not be a easy decision. If I only can afford to have both but that maybe "greedy" in my dictionary. The MINI really hits me by heart while the WRX probaby by head.

Thank you again for the advice.

ejkd

[ejkd]

Quote: Originally Posted by Kaelaria

Kinda apples and oranges there, man.

One of my considerations before the MCS was the new GTO. 4.6 0-60 with 400HP was VERY tempting, especially with the fact that my price is only $27,000. However, many things led me to the MSC over the GTO. You can't directly comapre the two though - the only thing similar is the price range.

Kaelaria,

You are right is more of "apples & oranges" & very tempting indeed in regards to pricing.
Thank you for the opinion.

Regards,

ejkd

[ejkd]

Quote: Originally Posted by davemanning

I had a 2002 WRX Wagon for 3 years before I got my MCS. The WRX was a lot of fun to drive - especially in the snow - but as a daily driver it was really only fun on the onramps. Compared to the MCS, it's a totally, radically different car - it's more trucklike (I had a Forester before the WRX, and it was really a truck), and frankly not as fun to drive.

Dave

Dave,

Thanks for sharing to me that you owned previously the WRX. Glad to know that someone like you would share such comparison base on your ownership experience.

Is it a decison for you to decide to switch?

Thanks again.

ejkd

[robfenn]

You have to get an STI before Subaru's get interesting. They are perhaps the ugliest cars on the road anyway. Having said that, bang for buck they are good. I certainly wouldn't get a Mini if i was looking for space or VFM!

I read that the US has a recent obsession with getting anything AWD, i take it this is true then?

-Rob

[ejkd]

Quote: Originally Posted by robfenn

You have to get an STI before Subaru's get interesting. They are perhaps the ugliest cars on the road anyway. Having said that, bang for buck they are good. I certainly wouldn't get a Mini if i was looking for space or VFM!

I read that the US has a recent obsession with getting anything AWD, i take it this is true then?

-Rob

Thanks Rob for your oponion.

Since I live here in the midwest where snow is part of life here---I would agree regarding obsession here in AWD esp. in the SUV segments. Audis are popular too.

I agree based on pricing, the WRX esp. the STI are bang for the buck in terms of overall package. May I ask what is VFM?

Thanks again Rob,

ejkd

[shedend]

VFM - value for money
(I guess)

[lpitt]

What about addinig a Works kit to the MCS?

Ok so 0-60 the WRX would still have the edge but on the road performance would be pretty damn close!