R56 MINI Cooper S vs. GT86/BRZ vs. Audi TTS
Discussion
I'm currently in the process of saving up for my next car and interestingly whereas I'm normally focussing on a particular "type" of car, the three cars at the top of my list all have different drivetrains. I like small, relatively light sporty cars but the only thing these three have in common other than that is that they are not "regular" hatches, should do 30+ mpg, I like the styling of them and they have 2+2 seating (which is a requirement as I have two young children).
Free from the last restriction, my ideal car would probably be a flat 6 Porsche Cayman but a 2-seater is definitely not an option. So for a nominal maximum budget of 20k (happy to spend less), which would be the most fun/easiest to live with?
R56 MINI Cooper S - I currently have an R56 MINI Cooper and love it. I don't normally buy the same car twice but for me it's a solid 9/10 car and just a bit more performance would make it a 10/10 car for me, as I do miss the extra thrust of my WRX. I could have afforded an older Cooper S last time but I was concerned about reliability, so would be looking for a late model (2012/2013?) with the N18 engine, as I don't like what they have done with the styling on the new one. Still the cheapest here by some degree though.
Toyota GT86/Subaru BRZ - I have liked these ever since they came out and have been dying to have a go in one. The thought of a sublime RWD chassis paired with an NA engine in a purpose-built sports car really appeals and 200bhp sounds ample to me but I recently watched a Head 2 Head video on YouTube where a BRZ got trounced by a 160bhp MX5 in a straight line and on track, so maybe it would be frustratingly slow?
Audi TTS - I have some previous with AWD and like the traction (although this is Haldex) and this ought to be pretty quick. I would love an RS but I fear the running costs would be too high. Like many, I initially dismissed the Audi TT as style over substance but I suspect that in its 2nd and 3rd generations (aluminium body?) it has quietly become quite a decent sports coupe. I would probably be looking at a 2nd gen but maybe a 3rd gen if they come down enough in value.
Free from the last restriction, my ideal car would probably be a flat 6 Porsche Cayman but a 2-seater is definitely not an option. So for a nominal maximum budget of 20k (happy to spend less), which would be the most fun/easiest to live with?
R56 MINI Cooper S - I currently have an R56 MINI Cooper and love it. I don't normally buy the same car twice but for me it's a solid 9/10 car and just a bit more performance would make it a 10/10 car for me, as I do miss the extra thrust of my WRX. I could have afforded an older Cooper S last time but I was concerned about reliability, so would be looking for a late model (2012/2013?) with the N18 engine, as I don't like what they have done with the styling on the new one. Still the cheapest here by some degree though.
Toyota GT86/Subaru BRZ - I have liked these ever since they came out and have been dying to have a go in one. The thought of a sublime RWD chassis paired with an NA engine in a purpose-built sports car really appeals and 200bhp sounds ample to me but I recently watched a Head 2 Head video on YouTube where a BRZ got trounced by a 160bhp MX5 in a straight line and on track, so maybe it would be frustratingly slow?
Audi TTS - I have some previous with AWD and like the traction (although this is Haldex) and this ought to be pretty quick. I would love an RS but I fear the running costs would be too high. Like many, I initially dismissed the Audi TT as style over substance but I suspect that in its 2nd and 3rd generations (aluminium body?) it has quietly become quite a decent sports coupe. I would probably be looking at a 2nd gen but maybe a 3rd gen if they come down enough in value.
Had a mk2 TTS and I thought it was a cracking daily drive as it felt nimble and it's 0 to 60 time of 5.2 was impressive.
It proved relatively thirsty in our hands returning 27mpg and it was used mostly for long journeys too, book said it would do 35mpg but typically it didn't.
Steering is pretty numb but that's par for the course for modern cars sadly now, I thought it sounded pretty nice for a 4 pot though.
Miss it in many ways to be fair.
It proved relatively thirsty in our hands returning 27mpg and it was used mostly for long journeys too, book said it would do 35mpg but typically it didn't.
Steering is pretty numb but that's par for the course for modern cars sadly now, I thought it sounded pretty nice for a 4 pot though.
Miss it in many ways to be fair.
white_goodman said:
Maracus said:
The N18 was from Autumn 2010 in the 3 door MCS IIRC.
Thanks. I couldn't find it documented anywhere when the N18 engine was introduced (earlier than I thought). How else can I tell if it's an N18 engine?What about the Cooper SD as an alternative to the Cooper S? I'm still looking for my Mini (convertible) but am considering the SD as well as the JCW.
Having driven just a normal D (2010 model) I found it more fun to drive than the standard Cooper (another 2010 model) or the very newest shape version of the Cooper.
The SD doesn't have as much power as the S, but it has bucketfuls of torque (apparently) and I think that's what I enjoyed in the standard Cooper D.
Having driven just a normal D (2010 model) I found it more fun to drive than the standard Cooper (another 2010 model) or the very newest shape version of the Cooper.
The SD doesn't have as much power as the S, but it has bucketfuls of torque (apparently) and I think that's what I enjoyed in the standard Cooper D.
Edited by FidoGoRetroGo on Saturday 10th December 08:53
Edited by FidoGoRetroGo on Saturday 10th December 19:00
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