[GFTM]

What do you think?

[benggolf]

That can be a tough question; a sports car (2 seater) or a fun automobile.
If circumstances will allow you to keep 2 cars in the garage, I say get them both. They are both great buys for the money.

[Basil]

the 350Z appears to be suffering from some quality issues, if that makes the two vehicles comparable on that front.

In Oz at least, they are in different market and performance segments.

That's not to say they won't interest a few (ex) Cooper S owners, who are willing to pay the extra $10 - 20K AUD.

[notcmartin]

I think they are 2 completely different cars, no comparison really. The only comparison is price, since if you get a loaded MCS you are close to 350Z territory. The Z is faster, handles better and so on. The Mini is more practical for hauling stuff around, looks cool and gets better gas mileage. I would not want to drive a Z to home depot for example.

Dont get me wrong, I really like the mini, my S is on order, but it's no sports car. I think the better Nissan is actually the G35 coupe. From what I have read it rides a little better, actually handles just as well if not better and has a little more room for your gear.

[Wynn]

MCS vs 350Z has actually been my debate for over a year, and I settled on the MINI some time ago.

But, I'm having some second thoughts, because I think the MINI's maintenance and reliability are going to be much lower than the Z, and the performance difference makes the Z very appealing to me. The Cooper S Works is ludicrously priced.

And, I think fit and finish on the Z is better than the Cooper, though I very, very much prefer MINI's unique, quirky character.

If the MINI hadn't its quality problems, had a proper cup holder, and higher-quality interior bits, I wouldn't be so tempted to upgrade to the Z. If the Cooper S Works package were offered for US $3,000, the race would be closer still.

Finally, the reason I've not ordered an MCS yet is that I am absolutely holding out for an S with red interior. If I cannot get that, I'm simply not getting a MINI. I think it costs too much for too little performance and potentially disastrous reliability to buy a car in a configuration with which I'm not totally happy.

[plaztik]

I also considered the Z for quite some time before deciding on getting the MINI. I ordered an MCS and it's getting decked out pretty nice. In fact, the Z (Touring) is only about $4000 more than my MCS setup, which I can totally afford.

But, once I saw a Z in person, I was sure that I didn't want it. Don't get me wrong. I do like the Z. But, I find that it's one of those cars that looks much better in pictures than in real life (unlike the MINI).

I think another selling point for me was the uniqueness of the MINI. Within the next year, peoples' attitudes are already going to be, " Oh look. Another Z. " whereas they will also still be wetting themselves every time they get the rare treat of seeing a MINI.

For me, there was no price point to consider. It was all about having something special or having a mass-produced clone car.

- plaztik

P.S. Wynn, just get the damn MCS and put in aftermarket red leather. Most aftermarket jobs I have seen kicked the manufacturers' asses anyway.

[Grinder]

I think they're both great cars for the money, but the fact is, that the 350Z will probably end up costing you as much as or more than 10K over the MCS (depending on options)! As far as performance, the MCS will never be as fast as the Z simple due to FWD. As for handling, i haven't seen slalom figures for the MCS, but the Cooper's numbers were better than or equivalent to the Z (from what i've seen), so i'd imagine that the MCS with a better suspension would handle better than the Z. For road-holding: the Z does better stock. Those runflats i just dont think are great for holding the road, but i'm not a tire expert by any means... They're both great cars, its all just about how much you want to spend...

And wynn!

Quote:

If the MINI hadn't its quality problems, had a proper cup holder, and higher-quality interior bits, I wouldn't be so tempted to upgrade to the Z. If the Cooper S Works package were offered for US $3,000, the race would be closer still.

If the reported claims are true from some different manufacturers, you can get almost 350Z performance for a lot less (even with the astronomical JCW price)....and stop with the cup holders!

[friedduck]

I have an MCS and went for a ride in a buddy's Z a couple of nights ago. To me it comes down to the back seat. If I didn't need the ability to shuttle kids around, I'd buy the Z.

It felt really tight, had great power everywhere, and a more compliant ride than the MINI (17" runflats.)

I love my MINI, but comparing a 260 (?) hp RWD two-seater to a 165 hp FWD four-seater isn't meaningful to me.

Hope this helps, Jeff

[AUsomTiger]

I had been planning to get a G35C all summer. But specced out with the 6MT, I couldn't get it for less than $34K. Unfortunately, I am price conscious so I had to make some compromises. I like the 350Z also, and could have ordered a 350Z Performance at sticker for about $5K less than the Infiniti, but I have two small kids and couldn't justify to myself getting a car with no back seat.

Given that I want something that looks good, is fun to drive, unique, tossable, and has a back seat at a reasonable price, the MCS fits the bill very nicely.

AUsomTiger

[GFTM]

Is it safe to assume then that most of you would have gotten a 350Z if you did not need back seats

[Grinder]

No, my family did not even need a new car really. When my father first heard about and saw pictures of the MINI he immediately put himself on the list for the MCS. He got this car because he wanted a fun, unique, sporty car. If it had cost as much as the 350Z he would never have gotten it. I think there are quite a few people that did not buy the 350Z because of price, and many because that's just not what they want! Sure, the Z is a little faster....but it's not significantly better handling or anything. And it costs 10K more. The MINI is unique, the 350Z is just another car....

[Grinder]

P.S. I would be just as happy if the MINI had no backseats. Its a complete non-issue for me.

[CurtP]

I don't need back seats, but at the same time the Z was never considered (I personally don't care for them). The choice I had to make was between a used Corvette (2000 or newer) or the MINI. Since I now have a daily commute with the new job, and we get a bit of snow here (*very* little actually, but still), AND I already have a ridicuously over-powered rear-wheel drive car, the MCS just made more sense. It's alot of fun, gets decent fuel milage, and an amazing amount of people stop to gawk.

Do I wish I had a 'Vette? Hell yeah. But I don't regret buying the MINI (other than having a monthly car payment again).

[AUsomTiger]

if I didn't need a back seat. If you guys talk me out of the need for a backseat, I might be on the wrong forum...

AUsomTiger

[toofast]

Bottom line if your looking for all out power why not get a mustang SVT for about same price as Z

or wait till summer and get WRX STI

if you want class I would stay away from the Island of Japan I have yet to see a Jap car that truley had "class"

[CUTiger3]

Quote:

Originally posted by GFTM
Is it safe to assume then that most of you would have gotten a 350Z if you did not need back seats

The decision would have been more difficult, but MINI wins

[minimc]

Is it just me, or does the Mini have its own character whereas the Z is a little Porsche 911, a little Z, a little...?

The Mini is unique, it's somewhat utilitarian, definately more practical, cost less, and is better on gas.

I see the question more as: Do you want a unique run-about that doubles as a cool little sports car? ...Or would you prefer to have a sports-only car?

Isn't this part of the reason that folks went for Mini's instead of Boxsters and TT's? (aside from the obvious cost differences).

To me the Mini is just RIGHT. Its the right size, gives the right message, performs the way a sporty car should, and fits my lifestyle - not to mention tight parking spots

[Garfield]

No contest. 350Z. I'd go back to RWD Limited Slip in a heartbeat. Then again, I wanted to have a backseat to put my kids in.

As far as price? Ahhh, a FULLY loaded S is more than a base 350Z, cheapest one with an LSD is slightly more than the S.

[asmujica]

Hey!! I was debating the same thing a few months ago, on a 350z forum and you could probably guess what happened.

I think the Mini is the better choice for me, I live in mexico and that thing seems ridiculously low for the streets over here, I would be scared to death of suddenly getting stuck on a speed bump.

The gas mileage is sort of a no no for me too.

The interior of the z is just plain boring, it completely lacks character, except the rear strut thingy.......

And I also like small cars.

[kcminiS]

I stopped in with my S at my local Nissan dealer looking for a small pickup for a second vehicle.
They had a Z on the showroom floor so I went in to check it out. I honestly was not impressed ,seemed very similar to the Lexus coupe my neighbor owns, and I'm an old Z freak. Anyway when I came back outside to my Mini ,a group had gathered admiring my Mini. My Mini cleared the Nissan showroom