2008 Mini Cooper S - Page 3

Ruttrow · 01-08-08, 04:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustinDetail

WAY overpriced for what you get. I got a brand new 350Z with 300+ hp for under $26K. You cant get any Cooper S models with a few options even for that. Or if you want a FWD Hatch, buy a new GTI 2.0T stripper for $22K.

The new 2007 " S " we just bought was 23,500.00. That included 3 packages. We looked @ a Civic SI as well and price was the same as a Mini. Honda dealer told me MINI has the highest resale value. I do not look at the Mini as WAY overpriced. Comparing it to a 350Z is not a comparison. They are not in the same category. I also looked @ a new 2006 GTO with 400+ HP that could be had for not much more than what you paid for your Z.

beastie · 01-08-08, 08:18

The 350Z is faster than Miata or MiniS but it is an overweight pig. Sure has power but reflexes are relatively slower. Power compensates for all that weight. Closer to a GT than a sports car.

MiniCooperS is a blast to drive in stock version but the run flats are slippery. Upgrade to some great performance tires and the grip becomes phenomenal. My cousin has a smaller pulley on his SC and a chip plus some handling mods and it can run circles around run-of-the-mill sports cars. My brother has an even smaller pulley on his SC for even more power and his car verges on being scary fast.

I drive a 1999 Miata, totally stock. Sure the other cars are much faster but none of them come close to the feeling of a go-cart as the Miata. Pure, unadulterated driver's car that communicates what it's doing to the driver and translates driver input into immediate , clear motion. It responds NOW, something that I can't even say about a MINI Cooper S let alone a 350Z. I've been on someone else's turbo Miata and I'd venture to say that it is faster than my cousin's Mini. Miatas have shed their chick car image since the first generation expired. Those who insist on calling them a chick car haven't driven one or don't know how to appreciate a true sports car (2 seats, a convertible top and RWD).

20jettatdi03 · 01-09-08, 01:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by beastie

The 350Z is faster than Miata or MiniS but it is an overweight pig.

X2 i was quite disappointed when i drove a customers 350. I expected much more. I'd take a mini S over a 350 for sure

mhadden · 01-09-08, 01:58

It definately doesn't help that the Z is starting to get outdated...it needs a more powerful engine and facelift, bigtime.

Spilchy · 01-09-08, 02:51

Most definitely consider looking at a BMW 135i. Here's an article:

2008 BMW 1 Series Coupe revealed - Auto News - Motor Trend

I'm not a fan of the Mini.

JustinDetail · 01-10-08, 08:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsatek

Mini resale in the USA is ridiculous. Its like money in the bank.

A new 350z is more than $26k at its lowest equipment level. The Grand Touring, which has the Brembos and Rays wheels along with other necessary equipment is $37k! At that point, get a 3 series!

I thought about a GTI 2.0 turbo, but I have a worker with one and it is an electrical disaster. He says, its constantly screwed up. I've heard this from 2 different people now. Also, it has zero status. I'd like something semi-flashy.

IT's not more than $26K when you have negotiation power. Something nonexistant with the "we won't budge on pricing" coopers. They do have good resale, but it's getting hit now with the vast oversaturation of them. Just look at the ones that actually sell on ebay....NOTHING close to what dealers/autotrader ads/etc are asking. In fact, the VW GTI 2.0T is holding it's value about as well. In the real world sales, not kbb.com lol.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ruttrow

The new 2007 " S " we just bought was 23,500.00. That included 3 packages. We looked @ a Civic SI as well and price was the same as a Mini. Honda dealer told me MINI has the highest resale value. I do not look at the Mini as WAY overpriced. Comparing it to a 350Z is not a comparison. They are not in the same category. I also looked @ a new 2006 GTO with 400+ HP that could be had for not much more than what you paid for your Z.

Good point, but being that you actually bought a quality car...would you *really* consider a GTO? I wouldn't.

Quote:

Originally Posted by beastie

The 350Z is faster than Miata or MiniS but it is an overweight pig. Sure has power but reflexes are relatively slower. Power compensates for all that weight. Closer to a GT than a sports car.

MiniCooperS is a blast to drive in stock version but the run flats are slippery. Upgrade to some great performance tires and the grip becomes phenomenal. My cousin has a smaller pulley on his SC and a chip plus some handling mods and it can run circles around run-of-the-mill sports cars. My brother has an even smaller pulley on his SC for even more power and his car verges on being scary fast.

I drive a 1999 Miata, totally stock. Sure the other cars are much faster but none of them come close to the feeling of a go-cart as the Miata. Pure, unadulterated driver's car that communicates what it's doing to the driver and translates driver input into immediate , clear motion. It responds NOW, something that I can't even say about a MINI Cooper S let alone a 350Z. I've been on someone else's turbo Miata and I'd venture to say that it is faster than my cousin's Mini. Miatas have shed their chick car image since the first generation expired. Those who insist on calling them a chick car haven't driven one or don't know how to appreciate a true sports car (2 seats, a convertible top and RWD).

Man how much misinformation can be in one thread?!?! My base 2007 350z scaled at 3250. SOOOO overweight right? Try lighter than the BMW 1 series, lighter than ANY E46 3 series, and the same weight as a tiny E36 M3. I guess my power to weight with 315hp and 3250lbs is terrible....err or maybe as good as a E46 M3. A Miata?

Quote:

Originally Posted by 20jettatdi03

X2 i was quite disappointed when i drove a customers 350. I expected much more. I'd take a mini S over a 350 for sure

Says a Jetta owner.....lol. Any FWD car FTL. Drive a real car.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mhadden

It definately doesn't help that the Z is starting to get outdated...it needs a more powerful engine and facelift, bigtime.

Have you driven a 07/08? Sure the styling is getting revamped for 09, but I still like mine. Especially with the hood bulge and the sweet 18's all the 06+'s received. Not to mention, my piddly $25.5K 07 will run with stock E46 M3's. I trapped 105....stock. 4.08 gears, a Quaife and ltw 18's and I'm shooting for mid to high 12's at 107. A mini is laughable in comparison to a 350Z....even a 03-06 model. I'd slightly written them off when I test drove a 04 a few years back, but the new 7500 rpm 07/08's are WAY faster and a much more fun powerband....imo of course.

beastie · 01-10-08, 09:46

Quote:

Man how much misinformation can be in one thread?!?! My base 2007 350z scaled at 3250. SOOOO overweight right? Try lighter than the BMW 1 series, lighter than ANY E46 3 series, and the same weight as a tiny E36 M3. I guess my power to weight with 315hp and 3250lbs is terrible....err or maybe as good as a E46 M3. A Miata?

It weights about 1000 pounds more than my Miata (MiniS has comparable weight to Miata), so yes, it is a fat pig. To compensate, Nissan put heavy 18" wheels to grip in the corners yet 350Z understeers like a family car.

Let me say this about the Miata: when the road does a few zigzags, a Miata will play with the 911s and Lotus Elises. Even the mighty M3 driver has to white knuckle trying to keep up. If you can keep up with my Miata on the curves, I bet you have scared yourself to death on a 350Z. On the straights, I'll hand it to you but I will pass you on a curve, guaranteed.

JustinDetail · 01-11-08, 09:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by beastie

It weights about 1000 pounds more than my Miata (MiniS has comparable weight to Miata), so yes, it is a fat pig. To compensate, Nissan put heavy 18" wheels to grip in the corners yet 350Z understeers like a family car.

Let me say this about the Miata: when the road does a few zigzags, a Miata will play with the 911s and Lotus Elises. Even the mighty M3 driver has to white knuckle trying to keep up. If you can keep up with my Miata on the curves, I bet you have scared yourself to death on a 350Z. On the straights, I'll hand it to you but I will pass you on a curve, guaranteed.

yeah, the Miata sure is light, and has a 130hp. I love a good handling car, but don't want to drive a car so slow a minivan can destroy me to be able to say I can corner faster...who cares? My 350Z doesn't understeer with the setup I have 255's front and rear, and Hotchkis seays, in fact, at a fast track, I bet it could corner with a miata in a heartbeat, and put 72 car lengths on it in the straights, it's all relative as you know. And cars have their plusses and minuses, I just like a more well rounded car than a tiny Miata that you have to be 5'6" to fit in. And to call a 350z a fat pig is like calling 90% of the rest of the cars on the road a T-Rex elephant special hehe. 3250lbs is a feather compared to 9 out of 10 cars on the road now. Great, so a Elise, Yaris, Miata, etc are feathers, but that's about it. A mini cooper s is a fat turd for it's size. Like 2700+ lbs for that little thing? I wouldn't call that close to the weight of a Miata, unless you consider 600 lbs close?

beastie · 01-11-08, 12:39

Justin, you are right. The 350z is a much faster car, especially in stock form. If you see/hear a Miata that is obviously turbocharged or supercharged, challenge them to a nice friendly competition on a track (your choice of 1/4 mile or road course). Post here again and let us know the results. Be safe though.

JustinDetail · 01-11-08, 12:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by beastie

Justin, you are right. The 350z is a much faster car, especially in stock form. If you see/hear a Miata that is obviously turbocharged or supercharged, challenge them to a nice friendly competition on a track (your choice of 1/4 mile or road course). Post here again and let us know the results. Be safe though.

Hey I know my limits. 200+ the wheels in a 2100lb car would be quite fast. But then again, a Greddy TT on my HR, and no Miata's touching me, track or street.

grease · 01-11-08, 05:32

Beastie, a turbo'd or sc'ed Miata isn't going to be as balanced as an N/A Miata. All that extra weight from the turbo,supercharger, intercooler,piping, etc is going to add weight to the front end. Extra weight over the front wheels is not conducive to balanced handling.

I think you guys are arguing 2 separate points, as well. The 350z isn't as well balanced as the Miata, tho I have no doubt that a well prepped 350z could hang with a Miata in the twisties. Grip is most important, and the 350z's ability to put bigger meat underneath helps alot, especially if you start removing some of its weight.

miahman98 · 01-13-08, 03:45

My Kawasaki ZX14 will smoke you all..
Now back to the program. If you like the Mini then get it. Do you really want to be driving down the road in your new BMW 135i ( that in my opinion looks like my 2000 Hyundai Elantra ) and see a new Mini S go by as you start to drool. Not only are you upset you didn’t get the car you wanted, but now you have to clean drool from your leather. That would suck.
By the way, it is a little bit of a girly car. But so what. The Macho Man Randy Savage wore a pink boa and no one called him a girl.