Fiesta ST or Cooper S
Discussion
I've got about 13k to spend on a car in a couple of months time and I've narrowed it down to the above two (from about 2018-2019). It'll be my daily driver (only 10 miles a day) and for a bit of fun on weekends.
The consensus is the Fiesta is the slightly better steer, but I'm a bit concerned about the reliability and the cheaper feeling interior. The Mini feels more upmarket but also likely to cost more if something did go wrong, although reliability seems to be decent on them. However I always feel like the Mini is a accused of being a bit of a wife / girlfriend's car.
What would everyone choose as I'm really torn?
The consensus is the Fiesta is the slightly better steer, but I'm a bit concerned about the reliability and the cheaper feeling interior. The Mini feels more upmarket but also likely to cost more if something did go wrong, although reliability seems to be decent on them. However I always feel like the Mini is a accused of being a bit of a wife / girlfriend's car.
What would everyone choose as I'm really torn?
alock said:
I really wanted a JCW, but just couldn't make it work with the cycling I do. I couldn't get two mountain bikes in the back.
Went for the Fiesta ST instead, which is crucially a little longer.
Ha, funny you should say that, I have recently bought a bike and sometimes I cycle to/from work and occasionally put it in the boot and drive home. I actually thought it wouldn't fit in either so it's interesting you can get it in the Fiesta. Went for the Fiesta ST instead, which is crucially a little longer.
I have a mini se and transport my XL gravel bike just fine. I use a sea sucker roof rack. They are a bit of a leap of faith but they do work really well. Mine has a sunroof too! I had a mk7 fez st in the past which was a riot but I do prefer the mini, but more so as it’s electric. Can’t see me going back to ICE now.
HammondYouIdiot said:
Ha, funny you should say that, I have recently bought a bike and sometimes I cycle to/from work and occasionally put it in the boot and drive home. I actually thought it wouldn't fit in either so it's interesting you can get it in the Fiesta.
This is two 27.5" mountain bikes. You might only see one because there's a blanket separating them.One medium, one small frame. Both wheels off both. Both front seats in normal positions.
bobsavage789 said:
Bit of a more boring question to those who ve tried both:
How do they compare in terms of ride comfort (dealing with bumps etc.)?
My opinion is the Mini is firmer and feels more "direct" and on smooth tarmac roads feels great but your average British B road the fiesta is much more forgiving and when pushed into corners the fiesta feels like it complies much better and feeds back where as sometime the mini really does feel ready to let go without any warning.How do they compare in terms of ride comfort (dealing with bumps etc.)?
Thats just my opinion as a very average driver. Drive them both.
My mate had a JCW and it was nothing but agg tbh. The bills racked up despite paying top money for it.
Got lots of friends with newer ST,s , one with an RS Focus and they love them.
My own ST,s are older, 2006 Fiesta which I am hoping is a finished revival project by the time I get back from holiday and a 2007 Focus.
Both are great to drive, the Fiesta might get pushed into daily use.
My mk5 Gti golf blows them both away though, and gets the most use.
Got lots of friends with newer ST,s , one with an RS Focus and they love them.
My own ST,s are older, 2006 Fiesta which I am hoping is a finished revival project by the time I get back from holiday and a 2007 Focus.
Both are great to drive, the Fiesta might get pushed into daily use.
My mk5 Gti golf blows them both away though, and gets the most use.
For balance, I've had three mini's, a 2012 F56 JCW hatch, 2019 F56 Cooper S and a 2022 Countryman JCW. Loved every one of them, had zero hassle or issues with any of them.
So I can't be unbiased as I would obviously say a Mini every time.
I'll no doubt buy another in years to come. The Countryman JCW I was really gutted to see go, but lease deal on a leccy car I couldn't resist, I did think about keeping it, but ££ didn't add up.
So I can't be unbiased as I would obviously say a Mini every time.
I'll no doubt buy another in years to come. The Countryman JCW I was really gutted to see go, but lease deal on a leccy car I couldn't resist, I did think about keeping it, but ££ didn't add up.
I recently sold my 22 plate M340i, a very fast car and compared with either that you are looking at it is vastly better built, specced etc.
I sold it as I had a little garage change around, I also found the BMW a little dull to drive.
Swapped for a 2018 MINI Cooper S Clubman. I tried a standard hatch but wanted a little more room and I also want to fit my 29er MTB in the back.
In all honestly, you will have to prise the MINI keys out of my hands to get me to part with it. It's comfy, well specced, quirky, huge fun to drive and so far cheap to run.
I sold it as I had a little garage change around, I also found the BMW a little dull to drive.
Swapped for a 2018 MINI Cooper S Clubman. I tried a standard hatch but wanted a little more room and I also want to fit my 29er MTB in the back.
In all honestly, you will have to prise the MINI keys out of my hands to get me to part with it. It's comfy, well specced, quirky, huge fun to drive and so far cheap to run.
Thanks for replies, a lot of love for the Mini it seems.
I have had a Mini before, but it was a Cooper D built for economy and that's exactly what I needed it for, when I had a long commute on the motorway every day. I have also tried a Fiesta ST Line X (not full fat ST) and it handled very nice, so the ST should be even more fun. However the Mini did feel a bit more special on the inside.
I have had a Mini before, but it was a Cooper D built for economy and that's exactly what I needed it for, when I had a long commute on the motorway every day. I have also tried a Fiesta ST Line X (not full fat ST) and it handled very nice, so the ST should be even more fun. However the Mini did feel a bit more special on the inside.
I'm biased because I buy for the trade, and of course people offload problem cars into the trade (at least they try to)
I've had to walk away from many mini's.
The latest one was low on coolant, had dampness on the undertray, and had a little engine rattle half way up the rev range when on the power.
Cooked, as we say in the trade.
Others include auto gearboxes.
I like the mini's, but buy carefully.
I've had to walk away from many mini's.
The latest one was low on coolant, had dampness on the undertray, and had a little engine rattle half way up the rev range when on the power.
Cooked, as we say in the trade.
Others include auto gearboxes.
I like the mini's, but buy carefully.
HammondYouIdiot said:
I've got about 13k to spend on a car in a couple of months time and I've narrowed it down to the above two (from about 2018-2019). It'll be my daily driver (only 10 miles a day) and for a bit of fun on weekends.
The consensus is the Fiesta is the slightly better steer, but I'm a bit concerned about the reliability and the cheaper feeling interior. The Mini feels more upmarket but also likely to cost more if something did go wrong, although reliability seems to be decent on them. However I always feel like the Mini is a accused of being a bit of a wife / girlfriend's car.
What would everyone choose as I'm really torn?
The best arbiter will always be you after trying them bothThe consensus is the Fiesta is the slightly better steer, but I'm a bit concerned about the reliability and the cheaper feeling interior. The Mini feels more upmarket but also likely to cost more if something did go wrong, although reliability seems to be decent on them. However I always feel like the Mini is a accused of being a bit of a wife / girlfriend's car.
What would everyone choose as I'm really torn?
I like Ford’s sporty stuff a lot and have some older ones but out the 2 I’ve got the Cooper S. They’re great to drive and I’ve not had the issues some report
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