Topic: Comparison Test: 2019 Mazda MX-5 vs 2019 Mini Cooper S Convertible

[Arthur Dent]

This new version has a bit of a stunned fish look about it.

  Love it!


Miata all the way for me.

[sailor723]

I can't speak to the new Mini but we had an '09 Cooper S Convertible.....tons of fun!

[OliverD]

An R53 Mini is possibly on the level with the Miata for fun to drive etc. but not the current blunted ginormous thing they are selling

pst.....the current Mini is really a MPV. Shared platform with the 2er Active Tourer along with the X1.

The Clubman and Countryman are on that platform but not the hatch and convertible.

[mlin32]

Thought it was the BMW UKL modular platform regardless, just different variants of it......regardless they're all too big to be "mini" !

[KD]

I'd take the MX5 any day over the Mini, or the Fiat 124.  The local Dodge dealer still has three 2017 124s that they've been trying to offload for the last couple of years.  All autos.  I think there was a reason they made so many of them with autos. 

[ChaosphereIX]

I'd take the MX5 any day over the Mini, or the Fiat 124.  The local Dodge dealer still has three 2017 124s that they've been trying to offload for the last couple of years.  All autos.  I think there was a reason they made so many of them with autos. 

you know full well the reason they made them, and the dealerships ordered them with autos:

- FCA are idiots
- The reputation that North Americans dont want to drive stick, even in a car that was designed for it

Regardless, the regular 124 is a dud, it sucks compared to the MX-5. The Abarth is much better, but still misses IMO. It needs more power, more rawness, more sound like the 500 Abarth. At least that is what the Alfa Spider and 124 drivers in the local clubs tell me when I ask them "Why don't you want the new 124?"

[JacobBlack]

Regardless, the regular 124 is a dud, it sucks compared to the MX-5. The Abarth is much better, but still misses IMO. It needs more power, more rawness, more sound like the 500 Abarth.

Agree 100 percent. They missed an opportunity to hit a market the MX-5 deliberately ignores for philosophical reasons. Could have gone full-yank on this, 250 hp, exhaust like a screaming cat and made it the horsepower hero many say they wish for. The Mx-5 would still have balance and the Fiat would be the sledgehammer.

[Weels]

Agree 100 percent. They missed an opportunity to hit a market the MX-5 deliberately ignores for philosophical reasons. Could have gone full-yank on this, 250 hp, exhaust like a screaming cat and made it the horsepower hero many say they wish for. The Mx-5 would still have balance and the Fiat would be the sledgehammer.

Yes, holey hell did FCA miss the boat.