2008 Mini Cooper S

Mini Cooper S cool or not?

  • Cool Car

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Old nerd-mobile

    Votes: 0 0.0%
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I was thinking about buying a Mini Cooper S as a toy car to use on the weekends this spring. My wife is against it stating, "It's and old man's or a nerd's car".



I like it, but I also like the Miata.



Whats the consensus on a 2008 Mini Cooper S?



Cool Car

Not a Cool Car
 
I just got a low mileage 06 cabrio MINI for Christmas. I did not need an S as I have a

300SRT8 for hauling butt. The MINI is a lot of fun and I can't wait for top down weather. I am nearly 55 so maybe your wife is half right. It could be a COOL old Man's car.
 
I'd get a black S and see what tuner can get it to 250-300hp for me.



Black / 35% Tint / Black wheels.



Her logic is, I'll be spending $40,000 on this by the time I am done. Why not just get an SRT-8 or a 335xi if I want a fast car.



What she isnt thinking is that either of those will end up costing $50,000+ after all of the upgrades.....
 
Here is mine:



ReidsWheels001.jpg
 
My parents own a 07 S convertable and the way it accelerates and handles is quite something. I've played with it quite a bit and i love the way it drives. Def a nice car
 
jsatek said:
I'd get a black S and see what tuner can get it to 250-300hp for me.



Black / 35% Tint / Black wheels.



Her logic is, I'll be spending $40,000 on this by the time I am done. Why not just get an SRT-8 or a 335xi if I want a fast car.



What she isnt thinking is that either of those will end up costing $50,000+ after all of the upgrades.....
Click to expand...
JMHO...

If 300 hp is the goal, then a 335 wouldnt need to be modded. Have you thought about a 135? Going to be 2 or 300 lbs lighter then the 335 with the same power/drivetrain.



The mini cab is a chic's car. The non-S is a chic's car. The S is an old man's car.

They are good cars to drive, if sporty competent driving is your main/only concern. But they aren't the coolest car on the block, so if you care about how youre percieved, Id go with a different car. Miata's are chics cars' too, but make some of the best bang-for-buck track cars ever made, so its all about what you want.



What about a new Saturn Sky Turbo, which is very common around here..? OR, whatI think is another great choice, a 2005 Mercedes SLK55? You should be able to get a certified preowned with low miles for around 40k. The SLK is fast (v8 360 hp or so), handles well, (especially compared to the SLK32), and its a hardtop convertible! And the brakes are fantastic!
 
Minis are cool, hell they were in Italion Job so that automatically makes them cool.



Miata are girls cars but man they are fun. You can get a mid ninteys one, do a cheap motor swap and turbo kit. I tell you what the power to weight ratio will be amazing and it is one of the best handling cars out. Chick car or not most people will only see the back end, if built properly ;)
 
+1 135i. With an ecu and intake, theyre making significant power. Esp. from 33-40k for a new one, thats a deal.



Mini..ehhhh...no.:rofl
 
x 3 on the BMW 135i. No offense to the Mini or Miata owners on here, but I always have thought of them as girl cars.



I would also seriously look at the Pontiac Solstice GXP. Good looking car with a lot of power for its size.
 
Liz wants a Mini, so I'll put my vote in there. Ever since The Italian Job, I've been a big fan.



Miata is a total chick car, I could care less how good it is around a track.



135i is sweet, but I'd have to see one in person first.
 
Good point on the 135. Its an interesting car, but I will be buying this and I am concerned about the model longevity. Remember the 318ti? I'd hate to dump 40k only to see this thing worth $15k in 5 years because its discontinued. That's a special purppose car, why wouldn't a potential buyer just step it up a few K and get the 3 series, a proven car with outstanding resale? Let's see how this introduction year goes for the 1 series.



I was going to go the used route if I went high end. I'm not a really a Benz guy. My goal is tough. I want a useful sports car that isn't too flashy. I wish I never sold my Cayenne, I've gone through 3 cars since. Ill keel the Jeep I just bought, unless I o with an SRT8. A 335xi sedan fits the useful/performance bill, but there is nothing so special about them, there are 5 at every corner.
 
We got an '06 S for my wife to drive due to the safety and performance features, but I was genuinely surprised by the quality of the engineering, assembly and the out-n-out performance. Even with the 6 spd automatic, it is a cut above anything in it's class. I wish we'd bought TWO of them. No way is it a nerdy car.
 
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.
 
Not sure what used prices are like in the US but in the UK the Mini is a rock-solid new buy. Not cheap but it holds its value like nothing else & you will get plenty back at moving on time.



My issues with the Cooper were few but build quality was only average, run flat tyres are too hard & expensive to replace. Don't get black though, BMW black is the softest paint I've come across. Despite the full Autopian wash routine, mine swirled like mad. In the end I sold it for exactly that reason.
 
Although you essentially get a "BMW" with a different name, I don't consider them too cool, nor do I consider them an old-nerd-mobile. What I think hurts Mini is the cost (can get expensive with options) and its engine. Personally, if I wanted that size car, I'd go VW GTI 2-door. You get a more modern style car both interior and exterior and a very nice turbo engine for less than the Mini. Though once again, once you start putting options on the GTI, it gets expensive. That's why I'm just going to my Mazdaspeed3 :woot2::D
 
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.
 
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