Having a tough time deciding between these two cars. This will be my daily, will keep it roughly 2-3 years, will probably see some auto-x and track time. I've listed some random pro's and cons of each, imo

2008 Mini Cooper-S roughly $33k out the door

+ very light, fun to drive, easy to toss around
+ 30+ mpg even when driven hard
+ navigation
+ great resale value
+ fwd practical for winter
+ Free maintenance until 36k (brakes, oil changes), warranty until 50k

- engine could use more power (turbo motor is capable, but mods make it sound somewhat "ricey", think wrx with exhaust)
- i prefer a v6, especially for my highway commute
- "it's a mini bro"
- 4 month wait (i currently have one on order, might cancel)

2008 350z Enthusiast roughly $31k out the door

+ bulletproof motor, silky smooth, plenty of power
+ great looking car
+ RWD ftw
+ great highway power, smooth delivery
+ Car is available NOW

- No backseat!
- RWD in winter ftl
- 20 mpg.. maybe (offset by the lower pricetag)
- New Z will be released next year and probably hurt resale value

I did option the MCS with quaifeLSD. I owned a Z from 2003-2005, lots of fun. I can live without a back seat, and I can get by in the wintertime with RWD, but the MCS would obviously be more convenient. I'm not really sweating these things as much as the performance aspects from the two cars.

Other cars perhaps worth considering:
08 Subaru STi -- $$ extremely high insurance, targeted by car thieves, first year car
08 Infiniti G37 -- $36k expensive, gas guzzler, 19" wheels mean tires will be expensive to replace every year, will require separate wheels+snow tires for winters

 

Mini. Period.

More fun, cheaper mods, better gas mileage, lower rates.

Don't let other people choose your car for you. Mini's are bad ass.

 

350z.

 

Mini. You already had a Z - time to try something different.

 

You see a guy in a Mini, what do you think?

You see a guy in a Z, what do you think?

Which one of those guys are you?

 

Depends on the Mini. If it's a JCW, I'm thinking he really wanted an Elise but his wife/girlfriend put her foot down.

If it's a base model Mini I'm thinking he's driving his wife's car for some reason.

 

My vote goes to the MINI of course. Get a JCW!

have you driven the R53's (03-06)? I am going to a MINI event this weekend to drive the R56's. My girlfriend has a convertible 06 MCS which I convinced her to get, she LOVES IT, so do I. I test drove a MINI back in 2004 but we settled for the obvious choice (an 05 Accord, haha).

I have already decided on my next car, but chances are it will be an 06 because I dont like the R56's much, we'll see after this weekend.

Oh and I'm not sure if its changed... yes the maintenance is free, but its only every 10,000+ miles or every year whichever comes first. Oil analysis' by MINI users have shown that you shouldn't leave the oil in there for that long so you're gonna have to do your own oil changes in-between the MINI covered ones.

Since its a commuter, you wont need all that power of a V6 on the highway unless you're gonna be stringing it out all the time, which I highly doubt. Although it is nice to have that power waiting to be unleashed.

 

Yeah man, the base Mini is kinda ghey but the Mini S is a completely different game

 

i don't know man, if i were in your shoe, i'd get g37

if you are so concerned with used car value, then 350z is def not the way to go.

my cousin just bought a 350z roadster touring 2007 NEW for 28k flat from 41k sticker.

350z has very low demand right now and that extra cash you spend on g37 (newer model too) would work in favor for you.

 

Well..... that's a narrow-minded way to look at it.



JCWs are buttloads of fun to drive but overall they're a ripoff when they're new. But I've driven my sis-in-law's JCW many times and I loved it.... corners flat, no body roll, throws are a bit long but its still fun to drive. I still don't love its looks though.... as a hatchback (which I don't like all that much in the first place) it just looks "okay"

If anything I'd wait for the new Z to come out, then scoop up a used 06-07. I would be happy with either car though... I just think I could live with the 350Z more on a daily basis. I prefer a curvaceous, swooping body, just like my women. And I have a strong bias for RWD if it matters.

At least with the R53s, its perfect for highway commuting.... leave it in 6th at 60 and it'll still pull. It pulls harder in 6th than my Z28 does but the supercharger really does help.

I'm not insecure about being seen in a Mini S.... but it'd be pretty gay if it were a regular Mini Cooper.

edit: Just wanted to add, the ride on a Mini S is way too choppy, at least on a JCW. Handles great, but so does the 350Z but you get thrown around less.

 

Er, if I were starting from scratch I would take the Z. but since you already had one.... get the Mini Cooper S.

Sorry I missed that. I used to think Minis were suspect until I drove a JCW.... do it!

 

I voted Mini. My next car would most likely be Mini-S.

I drove once before, the brand new one. The gearbox needs a fairly long throw, but the car is EXTREMELY fun to drive. No body roll whatsoever. The R56's has a much better accelateration, I believe.

In addition, I've seen tons of modified Minis, and they can be look as aggressive as 350Zs for sure.

 

350z or g37.

 

my friend traded in his 350z for a cooper-S.....I'm not exactly sure why. at least it 'can' hold 4 people, and might be a little more practical.

 

Since you've already had a Z, I say go w/ the Mini.

 

cooopa ftw

 

Hell, get the mini.

If all else fails you could drive it for 6 months and then sell it without hardly losing a dime.

Wait....

 

2008 350z with the new model coming out in January/Feb? Don't do it! I'm surprised you're not looking at a used Z. They are a dime a dozen these days.

 

if your keeping it only roughly 2-3 years, get a used... let the first owner take the resale loss

 

Cooper S...there is nothing out there really like it at all.

 

I'm biased towards the MCS as well but you'd be very surprised with the times that some guys pull at autocross events with base MC's. There are guys out there that can beat the times of most MCS's. Slap on a sticky tire on a light wheel and some light suspension work and you're set. I just love the whining sound of that supercharger

Check out http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/

your price range also falls within the MINI GP category, might want to check out http://www.gpmini.net/forum/

 

That ugly can costs $33k.

If you want many positive attributes listed plus the flexibility of a functional rear seat (and dont mind buying used) in that price range, get a certified used E90 330i 6MT

 

mini...

 

4 years ago, I would've picked the Z, but today, i'd pick the Mini. Fuel efficient, more cargo room (i think), and more seats if you ever needed them.

 

Mini - Someone who's comfortable enough in his skin to not pick a car based on how others might think he looks driving it.

Z - A little less so.

 

I voted Mini... what about a used one?

 

Or better yet, pick up an 07 335i for just about the same price as the Z and Mini...and it comes with a 4yr warranty too.

 

Damn are 335s that cheap now?

 

Pretty much, maybe a little more. Wait till the 09's come out (a little revised styling) and they'll plummet.

 

i voted for a new Mini Cooper S

 

Well I got to drive pretty much the whole line up of '09 MC's and I wasn't really impressed.

First up was an MCS in automatic - holy lag! it had a sweet redwood red leather interior but the pros stopped there.
Second was an MCS in manual - tad bit better but still meh. The wheel gap is insane but there were two sitting in the parking lot w/ coilovers and they looked 100x better.

Saved the JCW's for day two, probably shouldn't have done this because the clutches were suffering.

JCW R56 - yes its fast but still had noticeable lag and I just wasn't feeling it. The handling was real good, but the clutch was slipping badly. Keeping the revs up helped but I cant imagine doing this on the street for power, same goes for the Clubman
JCW R55 (clubman) - it handled its own for a bigger car but that lag is just so annoying coming out of the corners. Interior was very roomy and nice and the exterior was done up right compared to other Clubmans.

In the end the lines of an R53 appeal to me much more and seeing so many R53's and R56's mixed together solidified my viewpoint. The huge tall door on the R56 looks and the taller ride height is The R56's power is great when its there but having the power sooner from the R53 is what does it for me.

 

Well all cars arent doing well because of the market.

 

MINI reports the opposite, I wonder why, haha...

 

Hahah very good point. Let me rephrase that. All cars that dont get great MPG are doing bad in the market. That post I was talking about the 335i not the mini.