New co car poll - Mini'S' or CTR

[s2 giles]

Hi

My Accord Type-R has to be replaced and i have to decide in 2 weeks. As there is nothing big & fast on the list i'm gonna downsize.

Can I ask for a poll - Mini Cooper'S' or Civic Type-R ?

Thanks very much
G

[Plotloss]

Even though I had issues with mine, I'd go with the Cooper S.

Massive fun, cool as funk.

[Paul V]

Haven’t driven the CTR but can say the Cooper S is great fun, make sure you turn the traction control off though

[Raify]

Driven both, got a Works S.

MINI is much, much better. IMHO of course. more engaging drive, better interior, more options and better residuals.

[mustard]

Cooper S here, driven both Cooper S restored my faith in hot hatches

[900T-R]

Cooper S

[roop]

I'd say drive both and make sure you are entirely happy with what you buy. I drove both before opting for the Civic Type-R.

I found the Mini to be a more engaging drive in that it felt a better steer despite it not having the outright grip of the CTR.

Apart from the seats, the Mini interior is better. Period.

The engine in the Mini is apalling and the reason why I bought the CTR. It's gruff and coarse (whiney on the S as well because of the 'charger) compared with the engineering gem that is the i-VTEC in the CTR.

Residuals are better on the Mini, but there's not a huge amount in it these days as the market becomes more saturated.

Mini stands out more than the CTR in a row of cars. Good or bad depends on your persona.

Mini carries a certain type of image with it, as does the CTR, whichever you wish to be associated and stereotyped into depends on your persona again.

CTR is quicker than the Mini just about everywhere (even the Works) but then again, it's supposed to be.

Mini is a much better daily driver and you can access the performance more readily than the CTR.

CTR is less compromised and as a result offers a hard (though not overly harsh) ride, lots of road noise.

Think of the CTR is a £10k hatch with a £6k engine and you aren't far wrong.

Think of the Mini as a £15.5k hatch with a £500 engine and you aren't far wrong.

Wanna go fast and be uncompromising...? CTR. Integra if you really want to go for it.

Wanna look cool and still go quite fast...? Mini.

I understand they are putting all new 1.4 and 1.6 engines into the Mini soon. They can't be worse than the parts bin Chryslers that are in there now. I really hope they are a corking, modern, VVT motor that will really make the Mini shine for me. I'd have one then for deffo. As for the time being, I'm too much of a driver to put up with the engine. Almost all of the rest of the package kicks CTR into a cocked hat, including excellent TLC package.

[rich-uk]

Test drove both, bought a Cooper S, never looked back

The engine noise is awsome and adds no end of excitment to proceedings.

The CTR is faster round a track, but the MINI is miles more fun.

IMO

>> Edited by rich-uk on Monday 13th September 19:21

[rougeleo]

coopermans Cooper S ....no contest