The interior is a little bit cartoony(retro), but build quality is solid, I have had my 2007 Cooper S for 3 years, no squeaks or whatsoever.
If you find the steering to loose and not connected, turning on the sport button might help. It firms up the steering and increase the throttle response. I agree it isn't the most connected steering (I had a 2003 MCS and that was CONNECTED), but if you change to sport tires, it does make it a lil better.
I agree the Lotus might give more go-cart feel than the MINI, but at almost double the MSRP, you cannot compare the two. Under $35000ish, you can't really find a NEW car with the power and build quality of the MINI Cooper S. The only competition are the Golf GTI and ..... Civic SI? Correct me if I am wrong though.
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MX5: It's a nice car, but they are apple to orange. Mini wins with more seats and space. MX5 with open air goodness.
;DHere's the
priceless appeal of the MINI, on numerous occasion Kids scream
"MINIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII' when they saw my car driving by, its nothing special but
it puts a smile on your face. To get this kind of appeal to even kids, you might have to go up to the Ferrari bracket. (oh maybe the beetle, but that's a debate for another day.
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)