Topic: First Drive: 2016 Mini John Cooper Works 3-Door

[OliverD]

*poke head out*
I would buy the JCW over the STI (because steering feel and handling), and the Golf F (because personality and styling and also steering feel)


*runs and hides*
*doesn't run fast enough*
*is murdered by the forum*
*is dead now*

I'd probably choose the Mini over the others for a non-primary car.

[Noto]

*runs and hides*
*doesn't run fast enough*
*is murdered by the forum*
*is dead now*

NOOO, JACOB, CHOOSE LIFE!!  I still need to have some pints with you!!!

Perhaps I need to drive the new Mini, but I wouldn't take it over a Golf R or a WRX (since STi is 6MT only ).  Glowing reviews from automotive journalists must be taken with a grain of salt - you guys value things differently than most of the buying public.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

At the shallow end, I'd have the Fiesta ST. At the deep end, the Golf R, STI or Focus RS. The Mini wouldn't be on the radar, especially considering its dismal reliability record.

[aquadorhj]

At the shallow end, I'd have the Fiesta ST. At the deep end, the Golf R, STI or Focus RS. The Mini wouldn't be on the radar, especially considering its dismal reliability record.

i don't have any axe to grind against Mini.

briefly i actually considered buying the new 3 cylinder...



but that dismal reliability record cannot be stressed enough.   go on any mini forum, and new ones, old ones, doesn't matter which, there's all kinds of thread going about this or that going wrong with it.

the sheer amount of problems people have is mind-blowing.

[Fobroader]

At the shallow end, I'd have the Fiesta ST. At the deep end, the Golf R, STI or Focus RS. The Mini wouldn't be on the radar, especially considering its dismal reliability record.

i don't have any axe to grind against Mini.

briefly i actually considered buying the new 3 cylinder...



but that dismal reliability record cannot be stressed enough.   go on any mini forum, and new ones, old ones, doesn't matter which, there's all kinds of thread going about this or that going wrong with it.

the sheer amount of problems people have is mind-blowing.

Thats what they should put at the front of any mini related article, "Even though the following article is positive and the vehicle is fun to own, this vehicle has the reliability record of Lindsay Lohan with a garbage bag of cocaine"......

[lebowski]

*poke head out*
I would buy the JCW over the STI (because steering feel and handling), and the Golf F (because personality and styling and also steering feel)


*runs and hides*
*doesn't run fast enough*
*is murdered by the forum*
*is dead now*

If you are still alive and reading this: The Mini has better steering feel than the STI? That's surprising to read. Is it because of the AWD?

[aquadorhj]

*poke head out*
I would buy the JCW over the STI (because steering feel and handling), and the Golf F (because personality and styling and also steering feel)


*runs and hides*
*doesn't run fast enough*
*is murdered by the forum*
*is dead now*

If you are still alive and reading this: The Mini has better steering feel than the STI? That's surprising to read. Is it because of the AWD?

i don't understand the hoopla about Mini steering feel.

i've tried their last greatest Mini (JCW with Hydraulic steering) and it feels like a FWD bimmer.

the new one is electric.  if anything, it will be more muted than that...

[JacobBlack]

If you are still alive and reading this: The Mini has better steering feel than the STI? That's surprising to read. Is it because of the AWD?

Nah it's more than that. I just got out of the STI and it had this horrible fake feeling that made it suddenly turn into spaghetti mid-way through any long corner. It made me sad.

RE: Aquadorhj, I don't know what you mean, the Mini feels direct as hell to me. It's beautiful. And the chassis reaction is instantaneous.

[JohnnyMac]

Would the steering feel be better than the Fiesta ST Jacob?  I've heard the steering feel in that car is very good.

Speaking of steering feel, what current vehicle is tops in your book Jacob?

[JacobBlack]

Would the steering feel be better than the Fiesta ST Jacob?  I've heard the steering feel in that car is very good.

Speaking of steering feel, what current vehicle is tops in your book Jacob?

I think the Fiesta ST is not quite on par, but its so close I know some people disagree with me.
The best thing I remember driving in terms of steering feel is perhaps the new MX-5. Maybe the FR-S/BRZ.

[lebowski]

Nah it's more than that. I just got out of the STI and it had this horrible fake feeling that made it suddenly turn into spaghetti mid-way through any long corner. It made me sad.

RE: Aquadorhj, I don't know what you mean, the Mini feels direct as hell to me. It's beautiful. And the chassis reaction is instantaneous.

Ahh, gotcha. Very interesting. Didn't realize the the steering on the STI was a weak spot, expecially given how much of a driver's car it's purported to be.

Maybe it's as simple as a FWD car can still have good steering, as long as it's under a certain weight? Like an Integra Type-R versus, say, a TL V6.

[JohnnyMac]

Would the steering feel be better than the Fiesta ST Jacob?  I've heard the steering feel in that car is very good.

Speaking of steering feel, what current vehicle is tops in your book Jacob?

I think the Fiesta ST is not quite on par, but its so close I know some people disagree with me.
The best thing I remember driving in terms of steering feel is perhaps the new MX-5. Maybe the FR-S/BRZ.

Wish I was at a point in my life I could justify a MX-5.  Maybe in 5 years when we replace both the Golf R and the Santa Fe.  Although I know I'll have a fight on my hands from my wife, maybe a new SUV for her will mask her distaste for the Miata.

[ChaosphereIX]

if the car is already unreliable, and you want the handling of the Mini, then just buy one that is a couple of years old and tune the crap out of it - a lot cheaper and at least you know the parts you put in will last for a bit...

but as it is at $55k, yeah really hard sell...when you can get a mint used one at $20k and spend $5k to bring it up to the level of a JCW

the aftermarket is a wonderful thing

[rrocket]

the aftermarket is a wonderful thing

Those words are music to my ears (eyes)!     

[OliverD]

if the car is already unreliable, and you want the handling of the Mini, then just buy one that is a couple of years old and tune the crap out of it - a lot cheaper and at least you know the parts you put in will last for a bit...

but as it is at $55k, yeah really hard sell...when you can get a mint used one at $20k and spend $5k to bring it up to the level of a JCW

the aftermarket is a wonderful thing

It isn't $55k though, that was a typo.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

if the car is already unreliable, and you want the handling of the Mini, then just buy one that is a couple of years old and tune the crap out of it - a lot cheaper and at least you know the parts you put in will last for a bit...

but as it is at $55k, yeah really hard sell...when you can get a mint used one at $20k and spend $5k to bring it up to the level of a JCW

the aftermarket is a wonderful thing

Hey! You're back! How're things in Alfa land?

[Noto]

I just got out of the STI

AND YOU DIDN'T CALL ME UP FOR A RUN?!

I LEARNED HOW TO DRIVE FOR THIS VERY REASON!!!

[ChaosphereIX]

if the car is already unreliable, and you want the handling of the Mini, then just buy one that is a couple of years old and tune the crap out of it - a lot cheaper and at least you know the parts you put in will last for a bit...

but as it is at $55k, yeah really hard sell...when you can get a mint used one at $20k and spend $5k to bring it up to the level of a JCW

the aftermarket is a wonderful thing

Hey! You're back! How're things in Alfa land?

ok didnt realize it was a typo, but my argument still stands

thanks for the "welcome back" Sir, not really back as I am still in Oz researching for the PhD for most of the year. Sad that I only get to drive the Alfa for about a week when I go back home. In the meantime I am driving a late 90s Mirage...not the same I REALLY miss Francesca and her beautiful voice...especially since I have a bunch of performance parts [cams and pistons etc.] and a dyno tune waiting for her...