Help - F56 Cooper S vs MK7 GTI
Discussion
I am really close to pulling the trigger on one of these cars.
Test drove both (virtually) back to back yesterday. I thought the Mini was just incredible fun and I loved the character of the new engine with the (very) audible turbo spool and pops and bangs from the exhaust on the overrun. The auto rev matching is also a bit of a treat and the interior is just lovely and seems of much higher quality than the R56. Downside - small boot for long trips.
Then the Golf. More outright speed and perhaps a bit more grown up that the Mini. I test drove the DSG which changes gear faster than I ever could, but maybe meant I felt slightly more detached from the car. It felt immensely capable and I was hugely impressed by it but I think I felt more involved with the Mini and had a bigger smile on my face.
The GTI in basic 3 door form at £26k is about the very most I want to be spending on a car. The Mini comes in at £3-4k less with a heap of extras like Harmon/Kardon sound, leather and a panoramic roof.
My heart says Mini but I am acutely aware that this new MK7 has a better rep as a driver's car. Am I completely wrong? I live in West London and so the car will spend the majority of its time there - but will need to be fun for weekend B road blasts as well as longer trips away.
Does anyone have any experience of either of these two - and what would everyone recommend?
Thanks
Will
Test drove both (virtually) back to back yesterday. I thought the Mini was just incredible fun and I loved the character of the new engine with the (very) audible turbo spool and pops and bangs from the exhaust on the overrun. The auto rev matching is also a bit of a treat and the interior is just lovely and seems of much higher quality than the R56. Downside - small boot for long trips.
Then the Golf. More outright speed and perhaps a bit more grown up that the Mini. I test drove the DSG which changes gear faster than I ever could, but maybe meant I felt slightly more detached from the car. It felt immensely capable and I was hugely impressed by it but I think I felt more involved with the Mini and had a bigger smile on my face.
The GTI in basic 3 door form at £26k is about the very most I want to be spending on a car. The Mini comes in at £3-4k less with a heap of extras like Harmon/Kardon sound, leather and a panoramic roof.
My heart says Mini but I am acutely aware that this new MK7 has a better rep as a driver's car. Am I completely wrong? I live in West London and so the car will spend the majority of its time there - but will need to be fun for weekend B road blasts as well as longer trips away.
Does anyone have any experience of either of these two - and what would everyone recommend?
Thanks
Will
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