Mini Cooper S or MX5 2.0?

[Luke.]

Looking for a little fun car and narrowed it down to an MX5 or Cooper S, possibly a Works. Now I know they're totally different cars to drive etc. I also had a Cooper S a few years back and loved it and test drove a 2006 MX5 a few weeks back but felt a little underwhelmed to be honest.

Now I know this sounds like I'm answering my own question, but without living with both for an extended period what just wondering which one you knowledgeable lot would go for. And budget's around £11k.

Cheers all.

[Taffer]

Surely you mean an MX5 Mk3? You'd have a lot of change from £11k if you were getting an MX5 Mk2!

If you need the extra seats/space/practicality, the Mini. With Spring and Summer approaching though, the Mazda would probably bring you more fun (nothing beats top down, RWD motoring!). There's also a huge amount of aftermarket parts available from MX5parts.co.uk if you want to 'sort' the car out and get it to sound/handle/look the way you want.

So, in typical PH fashion, the answer is MX5..............

[Motorrad]

As you've owned the previous mini then I think the MX5 is the way to go. Get the roof down as often as possible and try to find the handling pleasure people rave about but you couldn't find.

[Luke.]

Taffer said:

Surely you mean an MX5 Mk3?

Yep, it's a Mk3.

[Luke.]

Anyone owned both? Pretty please

[NORTS]

If insurance isn't a problem then you should be able to get an S2000 for that money. As you know the Bini is bags of fun, so I'd vote for that. Never driven an MX5 but get the feeling the performance is going to be boring.

[Tangent Police]

OY NO!

MINI Cooper S =



Mini Cooper S =





Thanks, The Tangent Police

[Luke.]

Had two old Mini Coopers years ago. Loved the little buggers.

[Luke.]

S2000 is a good shout.

[HundredthIdiot]

Luke. said:

Anyone owned both? Pretty please

I've owned a MCS and a Mk2 MX5 1.8iS (or something). I'm not sure how different the Mk3 is.

Putting aside issues of practicality, I'd go for the MX5.

On the right road, the Mini feels ballistic, significantly faster than the MX5, but the control weights, steering feel, throttle response etc of the MX5 are far better. I found the Mini felt quite dead at less than 8/10s, and there was occasionally quite dangerous throttle lag when pulling out of junctions.

I've done trackdays in both, and also preferred the MX5.

Also, it's much easier to have fun at legal speeds in the MX5.

If there were no speed limits I'd choose the Mini. I was banned for a month the second time I buried the throttle in the Mini.

edit: to clarify, the Mini I owned was the first gen of the "New Mini" (supercharged).

Edited by HundredthIdiot on Saturday 23 January 19:03

[*Al*]

I'd have to say Mini Cooper S but make sure you get a 'Works' with 210 BHP as there are X2, most works are 200 BHP some have the enhanced 210 upgrade (injectors and airbox). A must is the 'Works' brake upgrade.

• Ahem* I happen to have one of these with all the above and lots more for sale

[rfn]

My Mum has a n R53 Cooper, and I have a 2.0 Sport Mk3 '5.

I much prefer the '5 to drive - and now that I've lowered it back to Jap settings it handles just wonderfully. I don't think the MINI has all that much more space, either - as the 2 extra seats are near enough useless IMO.

[HundredthIdiot]

rfn said:

I don't think the MINI has all that much more space, either - as the 2 extra seats are near enough useless IMO.

That's a bit of an exaggeration. You can get two normal sized adults in the back of a Mini, and although the boot is very small, with the seats down you can fit a decent load of shopping.

The only time I found my Mini short of space was for airport runs.

That said, the MX5 can be practical, if you don't need to carry people. I had a rack made up which allowed me to carry two surfboards and a couple of bikes on the back, and still allowed the roof to be lowered and raised with all that ste on it. Happy days...

Edited by HundredthIdiot on Saturday 23 January 19:24

[Thudd]

HundredthIdiot said:

On the right road, the Mini feels ballistic, significantly faster than the MX5, but the control weights, steering feel, throttle response etc of the MX5 are far better. I found the Mini felt quite dead at less than 8/10s, and there was occasionally quite dangerous throttle lag when pulling out of junctions.

edit: to clarify, the Mini I owned was the first gen of the "New Mini" (supercharged).

Agree 100% (tho I am comparing MCS with MR2mk3 roadster).
Plus MINIs are common as shoes (admittedly MX5s are fairly familiar as well) and drink petrol. I struggled to get over 22mpg on my commute, nudging 30 on a long run.
The early MX5mk3's got slated by the press. I loved the cockpit and feel of the hardtop version I sat in at the motorshow, but... apparently the facelift ones are better to drive, otherwise go for the mk2.

How about a 350z or Z4, if you want a more recent car? Boxster or S2k if you're prepared to go older.
The 2.2 Z3 I test drove was awful.

[300bhp/ton]

Luke. said:

Looking for a little fun car and narrowed it down to an MX5 or Cooper S, possibly a Works. Now I know they're totally different cars to drive etc. I also had a Cooper S a few years back and loved it and test drove a 2006 MX5 a few weeks back but felt a little underwhelmed to be honest.

Now I know this sounds like I'm answering my own question, but without living with both for an extended period what just wondering which one you knowledgeable lot would go for. And budget's around £11k.

Cheers all.

Think it depends what you want from the car. If its open air rwd sports car then the MINI won't do it. However the MINI is still fun and there is a vert for a bit more money. The MINI is also the faster more powerful option and probably the more comfy and easy to live with too.

Are you looking at R53's or R56 Coopers? If its the newer R56 I'd strongly advise only buying the JCW variant. With the R53 it doesn't really matter.

[rfn]

HundredthIdiot said:

rfn said:

I don't think the MINI has all that much more space, either - as the 2 extra seats are near enough useless IMO.

That's a bit of an exaggeration. You can get two normal sized adults in the back of a Mini, and although the boot is very small, with the seats down you can fit a decent load of shopping.

I can't fit, comfortably, in the back of my Mum's MINI, with her driving. She is 5ft 8 and I'm 5ft 10. So not really that much of an exaggeration....

[HundredthIdiot]

rfn said:

HundredthIdiot said:

rfn said:

I don't think the MINI has all that much more space, either - as the 2 extra seats are near enough useless IMO.

That's a bit of an exaggeration. You can get two normal sized adults in the back of a Mini, and although the boot is very small, with the seats down you can fit a decent load of shopping.

I can't fit, comfortably, in the back of my Mum's MINI, with her driving. She is 5ft 8 and I'm 5ft 10. So not really that much of an exaggeration....

Ah...you've just triggered a memory of how much human folding was required to get four men into the Mini.

Still, you can't even get children into the back of an MX5.

Edited by HundredthIdiot on Saturday 23 January 19:40

[300bhp/ton]

rfn said:

HundredthIdiot said:

rfn said:

I don't think the MINI has all that much more space, either - as the 2 extra seats are near enough useless IMO.

That's a bit of an exaggeration. You can get two normal sized adults in the back of a Mini, and although the boot is very small, with the seats down you can fit a decent load of shopping.

I can't fit, comfortably, in the back of my Mum's MINI, with her driving. She is 5ft 8 and I'm 5ft 10. So not really that much of an exaggeration....

But you do fit and I suspect you'd have a lot less room in the back of an MX-5

[*Al*]

Strange really that you're considering either of these cars as they are so so different.

FWD Vs RWD.
4 seater Vs 2 seater.
Hard roof Vs convertible.

I still say MCS 'Works' fantastic little cars.

[300bhp/ton]

*Al* said:

Strange really that you're considering either of these cars as they are so so different.

FWD Vs RWD.
4 seater Vs 2 seater.
Hard roof Vs convertible.

I still say MCS 'Works' fantastic little cars.

I think they are quite comparable.

Both small, throw about the country lanes type of cars that make you smile and are different from the run of the mill stuff.

Different answers, but definitely to the same question.