Ok I luv my TC however I went to far making it a show car. Yes it's turbo'd and looks awesome but I can't truly drive it the way I want because I don't want to trash it. Also I'm not very comfortable with the turbo because its my first and I'm not sure if it feels the way it is suppose to. Always worried I'm a blow something. Yes I feel like a Panzy But its aftermarket not stock turbo.

So my dilema is that I want something I can get good/decent gas mileage, have a blast driving and not worry about show stuff. This bring me to a 2002 Cooper S with 30K miles and in excellent condition. Roughly same HP as a Stock TC but its lighter, smaller, and just a blast to drive from what I hear. I've thought about an STI or M. speed 3 but I would like to keep it under $20K . So am I nuts for doing this? I also probably will have to strip my tc to somewhat stock because I wont get the $30K I would want.

 

people who review the supercharger minis compared to the turbo minis, really don't like the supercharged ones.

personally I'm skeptical of the durability of those I4 in the early minis.
#2 the interior console that you must stare at...ugh. have you sat in one? if you like the dinner plate, aka speedometer, then go for it.

 

You have a great looking ride. I say don't do it.

But before I even thought about doing anything I would go for a test drive. Just remember that a new car is only new for a short time. This will be a car that you will drive every day. will you still like it when the new wears off?

I understand not wanting to break your car. They have classes at tracks where a pro will teach you how to drive your car and teach you what everything should feel like as you are driving it.
That is what I would do. However, I'm not you.

 

quality wise though, i'm sure the mini feels like a luxury car compared to the tc though

 

Here is a link to some of us talking about one of those classes.
https://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=176808

 

Eegads man, don't get a mini. They cost 6-8 grand more (depending on what you get) than a tC and have what like 12hp more (and that's WITH a turbo)? Not to mention they are smaller, so you'll be more cramped, less comfortable, and can't haul anything larger than an ipod. And as far as I'm concerned, they're ugly as hell. If you really want something tiny and fast get aerial atom.

 

you'd actually be surprised at the front interior room in a mini. i'm 6'3-4" and it's notta problem.

plus which would you rather have, low rpm hp(mini) or high rpm hp(tC)? everyone I know wants their power sooner and easier to grab, than having to keep the rpms at 4,000 to enjoy it.

 

"have what like 12hp more"

Yes, and they weigh significantly less and handle 6 times as well.

If you're set on a Mini, I'd hold off long enough for the turbo S to be affordable, rather than settle for the blower model.

 

233 lbs is significant? Maybe my case is different. I weigh 135 lbs. The average person probably does not. Maybe my stats are off but when I checked the stats when I got my '05 tC, the turbo charged mini was only 1/10 of a second faster from 0-60. For the extra cash it hardly seems worth it. Maybe the newer models are different. I still say the thing is hideous, but it's your money...

 

The Mini isn't supposed to be a straight line demon. The handling on the Cooper S is about 3 categories up from it's price range. Ditch the crappy run flat tires that it comes with and they will outhandle half of the modified cars on the road.

 

i don't think anyone gets a mini cuz it's "faster".

the 'S' has adequate horsepower, the regular one doesn't.

 

No Way!!!!

i park right next to a mini cooper S at work and i have talked to him about it quite a bit, and it seems like there are quite a bit of problems going on in those lil things(he thinks he can drive lol)

i do like the way the look tho, they are very noticeable, and the convertable are little cruisin machines :D

u have put the work in the tc, i will have a VERY hard time getting rid of my tc when it comes that time. I would stick with the tc, you have a beautiful ride, and not to mention its fast now turboed! :D

keep it.

 

I check the website and as the person above assumed, I'm not thinking mini for 0-60 time but more for its agility, corner carving, and go kart feel. To say I'm deadset on a mini would not be true because I would definately want a Mspeed 3 or STI instead but they are still more than I want to pay at the moment.

Yes I've dropped like $20 K on my car and if you think the picture in my profile is nice you would have to see the actual pictures of what it looks like now. Also because I have it set as a show car I have much more weight in the car now due to the stereo equipment in the trunk. I just know I want something I can really drive the way I want instead of being cautious. Also I can gt the mini s for around 15K. Another option is a WRX. Blah I have a headache!

 

imo, test drive a comparabley priced gti if you like the mini.

 

Well if you want to drive without being cautious you could always pick up a beater from the yard. That way you could bump off of things without worry.

 

Well heres some pics of the TC.



And i think I found a solution to my dilema. 230 HP AWD Subaru SVX and I keep the TC Hope its still around when I get paid, And it matches the TC color.

Sorry for the big pix. Oh and this is the mini.

 

Wow... that mini is a good looking car.

 

I used to want one, went to the dealerhsip to price it out and they had some kind of special edition with custom vinyls and seats and everything...The car was too much money, would have been like 34k for what I wanted in it. They are definitly some of the most fun to drive cars around and if the increase in payment isn't an issue, you should do it.

Here it is, found a few pics of it.

http://www.seriouswheels.com/cars/to...per-S-MC40.htm

 

that subaru...
100,000 miles & AWD don't mix.

I have seen many, many subarus @130k+ miles need lotsa expensive tranny work.

i would always look to sell any awd at 90k miles.

 

tCs have always been sort of blah cars IMO. I would sell it and buy the mini in a heart beat.