So I've mentioned it once before but never did anything because I couldn't make the numbers work. I was considering getting out of my GTI and getting the JCW. That never happened. Now for this month Mini has a special promo, but the rates are not held beyond June to order the car and I need to do it this month. The rates were lowered and the residuals were raised. I was willing to step down to a Cooper S and probably modify it for some more juice. I realized that the Coupe is too small for me, as I need a little more storage for stuff, so i'm now considering a Clubman S. I still think the Coupe is nicer overall, but need to get the Clubman. Upon Looking around, my dealer found this car:




It has just about everything I want, including some things I don't want but oh well. I'd probably add an armrest and satellite radio afterwards, among the minimal suspension/performance mods I normally do

So my dillemma is this...My GTI isn't up until September. 2 options I have:

1) Either get out of the GTI now, get the Clubman and use 2 cars for 2 months OR give the GTI to my friend to use (He's been bothering me forever in wanting to take over my lease because he loves my car). He agreed to pay a little more than what i'm paying for the car, as well as insurance (I need to keep it on my name, but i'll add him to my policy just in case). He would pay it all upfront. He's a trustworthy guy, and he takes care of his cars, not to mention he's a VW/Audi nut (He had a B5 S4 heavily modified pushing 500hp until someone blew a light and slammed into him/totalled the car).

2) Hold on to the GTI until the lease is up in September. By then the program on the Clubman would be shot so I would wait for the '10 models to come out with higher lease residuals and order a car the way I want it, so the pricing might be comparable to what it is now. Problem with that is I'm not sure if the '10 models will be out in November '09 or February '10 (The '08 CM came out in 2/08 and '09 in 2/09, so the dealers suspect the '10 to be in 2/10). I do have my roomy zoomy '08 Nissan Sentra SL that I leased for my company to use as a runner/chase car to pick up and drop off cars for deliveries. I can use this car, but I wouldn't want to use it for 5 months if I had to wait until 2/10 to get the CM. The ride/handling sucks, and I don't feel safe driving it, especially when the roads are wet.

I also like the MKVI GTI that's soon to arrive (I think Sept or Oct), but I doubt the lease numbers will make sense initially when it comes out, so that's on the bottom of the list. Besides, i'm a little disappointed with the new look (I love my car for the look of the nose), and the fact that they went cheap on the car and took out a lot of options that came standard on my car that will now be an option, and the fact that the engine/suspension/transmission is EXACTLY the same. Some more power would have been nice..

After all this, I also feel like I'm settling on the CM, because there's nothing else I like out there (Except for BMW, but I don't wanna spend BMW prices right now). I mean I like the car, but not so fond of the power (or lack of compared to the GTI), but there's always a solution for more power. It's also a bit smaller than I have now. The interior of the GTI is layed out very straightforward, while the CM is very quirky (It will take some getting used to). I'm thinking about the time I got the GTI and was a bit disappointed in the feel of the transmission. It took me a few months to love the car. I'm thinking the same will probably be the case with the CM. I've swapped cars with my uncle (He has an '08 Coupe S) and enjoy driving his car, but not as much as mine. I guess I need to get used to it, i'm sure that it will grow on me and i'll love it.

And then when I go to a car meet and get pics like this taken of my car:



....Than it makes me even more confused! Thanks Leo!

I'm confused, can you tell?

 

I assume after you pay opening costs on the Mini, your first real payment would be August, right?

 

I'm going to stretch delivery as long as I can, i would take it by the end of June, so the initial fees and first payment would be at that time.

 

Have you driven the Clubman? If you add in the cost to modify the CM to your liking, does the deal still look good?

 

I have heard that the CM and Cooper S drive different due to the wheelbase difference. I'm assuming you test drove a CM by now, but if not I would make sure you like it as much as the Cooper S.

 

Honestly, I would just stick with the GTI.

 

^

 

Gti

 

There's something about the Clubman that just doesn't do it for me. Regular Mini S or Mini CW or stick with the GTI IMO.

 

Geez, I just can't swallow the thought of a Mini costing 30K+.

 

That's what I'd do as well.



Terry

 

GTI. Not a fan of the clubman. Besides, there will always be a deal. Always.

 

I did drive the Cooper but not the Clubman. From what i've heard is the CM has a better ride because of the longer wheelbase, which is fine with me. In '08 the Sport Suspension was part of the Sport Package. For '09 they made it a separate option because many complained that the ride was too stiff. When driving my uncle's car w/ the sport suspension, I too find it to be a bit stiff and the car jumps all over the road over bumps, which is why I specifically chose to NOT get the Sport Suspension. Even though I've never driven the CM, I probably prefer the smoother ride of it.

 

I say GTI. And with that lip kit your GTI looks nice.

 

The CM i'm getting has an aero kit...The GTI is the stock Votex kit..

 

I don't think any man should drive a Cooper. I'd keep the VW.

 

I like both (because I owned both...essentially).....tough call.

I prefer the Cooper over the Clubman.....so in this case I'd go GTI.


....in the end either choice is a "WIN".

 

Oh boy...

 

Well, the application was approved, now she's waiting for me to give them a "GO" to trade for the car.

OK, I'm getting a little excited now...

Still doesn't mean I'm getting it, just that I know there won't be any snags in the road when I do decide, because these lease banks aren't fond of the fact that my company name has the word "Leasing" in it (doing lease under business and me as guarantor), and as a result almost always initially turn it down because they think I'm going to lease it out to people.

 

g'luck....post pics :wink:


...and piano black interior trim

 

Gti

 

Wasn't meant as an insult, just not for me. Get whatever makes you happy.

 

This is the reason why I'm thinking of just getting the MKV instead of waiting for the MKVI...

If I just get the MKV right now, I'd be paying like less than $25K for everything that I want.

I highly doubt that I can get a similar deal for the new MKVI...

 

I really like the GTi myself and with the 6spd it must be a hoot to drive. However, I really like the CMs, maybe even more so if you "want to change" already, I'd say go ahead.

 

Life is short, man. If you really want it, go for it.

 

gti

 

gti

 

I drove the JCW Clubman on the autocross course at MTTS '08 and all I can say is... WOW. Thing could move. I also sat in the back while my girlfriends friend tossed around a Clubman S

I also drove the Clubman S and JCW MCS and many other variants... I have yet to drive a GTI so I can't compare.

Good luck! I'm sure you'll be happy regardless.

 

GTI wins in my book, hands down!!!

 

I really like the GTI...I really like the Clubman.

The GTI still has more interior room than the clubman...I have tried putting one my film carts in both...fits in the GTI....was an inch too long for the clubman.

 

I'd keep the GTI.

 

No sense in switching cars when you're happy with your current one IMO

 

I LOVE the Cooper S, but the Clubman's kinda funky lookin' to me. just my

 

You are kinda where I was in March. I was ecstatic with my RL but found a great deal on the CTS-V. I'd been drooling over it for over a year already and when I found I could actually afford it, I went for it. Life is short, if you really want it, and can afford it without putting you and your wife out of your home and onto the street, get it (says this 41-year-old in full mid-life crisis mode).

It sounds like you made your decision already anyway, so just do it.

 

This is true, but if I didn't do something now, I'm going to be in this predicament in a few months when the GTI lease is up anyway

 

Some motivation:





Bagged Clubby:

 

Let me pour some cold water on here: doesn't the Clubman resemble an undersized Ford Flex??



Wait until the contract on the GTI is finished.

 

^ Sure, as much as the GTI looks like a Chevy Aveo

 

I actually really like the Flew, too

 

^^ford flex is nice

either way you go youre going to have an awesome car, the clubman looks pretty damn sick in those pictures and its going to be a headturner since they arent as common as the gti