no, I really don't think you could. Though I will be doing some first hand research into this shortly.

I'll will be pitting my scion with springs and adjustable struts up against stock minis, and we will both be on race rubber. So it will be interesting.

but I don't expect I will do well, the main problems again being center of gravity and the rear suspension. The scions rear suspension has terrible camber curves, while the multilink suspension of the mini is excellent. The scions rear suspnesion was chosen to maximize interior space, while the minis was chosen for (near) optimum performance.

I will keep you all posted on how I do though.

 

Yeah, anxious to know the factual results of that too. Please do post results.

 

The Mini is assembled in England--that will subtract from it being a design finished up by BMW. Plus, the engine comes from Brazil. I think durability and insurance rates make the xA a winner. Plus, the dealer network is no comparison.

 

Wny? BMW is still running the place. Did the huge mass of Japanese imports become crap when they started getting assembled in America?


assembly line monkeys are just as capable anywhere.

 

For starters Mini has had recalls for stupid crap, my friend has one (a 02 or 03). I drove it around before, it was very unimpressive. So that nails the theory that anyone can be an assembly monkey & "bmw engineering".
And every Mini dealer I've been to, they've been complete ******..
And way to small of a trunk, its too hard for the general public to get in and out of.

 

I think your opinion of what impressive is must be lacking, since the mini absolutely dominates hstock.

 

on xA vs Mini -- I don't think they're quite the same car. They kinda look alike...

but along the premium-fuel-needed angle... The xA is designed to use the cheaper 'regular' octane, plus gets great mileage. Today in California, we have the highest for February ever price for 'regular' at $2.03 per gallon (I think that's the correct price.)

The xA is a very 'green' car and is on the top 12 list of Greenest Vehicles for 2004.

The mini I'd guess is pointed in a different direction. Emphasizing different things.

I don't think they necessarily need to compete against each other -- although I'd also like to hear how the xA stacks up in that autocross... :D

 

I tend to agree that the Mini was made for a different market... I've driven both cars, my parents own(ed?) a BMW Z3, and the Mini was an option for me when I was needing to buy a car last July....

You pay a premium for the name, the engineering is very impressive but after that it's all subjective... if you really want the a small racer you may be better off with the Mini, but it will cost you some. $65 factory oil changes and $800 brake jobs were not something I was thrilled my parents quoted from the dealer

I like the xA for a couple of reasons, it's less expensive, has a lot of room, about 8" longer give or take (I parked next to a mini once just to see, it isn't much smaller than an xA), and it's fun to drive. Am I going to be taking anything off the line stock? probably not, but am I sitting there looking for a race every moment I drive it, or taking curves at 50 mph (okay, maybe on the clover leafs of the freeway, but we all have to have fun)

I say if you can accept you aren't a racecar driver and for some money dropped on the xA (wheels and tires, a sway bar set or urethane bushings, maybe some engine performance mods) you'll have a great value of a car that is really a lot of fun to drive, without the guilt worries of having dropped extra money on something your really didn't need...

hope it helps, if you have specific questions PM me..

 

The original mini had how much hp? - 80?

I think you don't need a lot of hp to have fun driving. If a car has a lot of hp, you can't 'live' up there all the time anyway..., you'd be going way too fast to be using that much hp all the time. ...up where mistakes would be disastrous.

If the hp is not too high, then you can 'live' there regularly. You can push the car to its limit and have fun. I think this is why cars like the Miata, Toyota MR2 Spyder, and the Mini (although I don't know that much about the Mini) are popular. Of course they have the great handling, but the point is they don't have excessive hp (unless you throw a turbo in.)

My plan is to have fun with the xA with whatever its limits. Economical fun, plus I'm sure a lot safer fun than a true 'beast' of a car with lots of hp.

I'm sure I'll like livin' on the A.

( I just need to make more MP3 CDs hehee... )

 

I think it was more along the lines of 67 hp...

 

but it weighed well under 2000lbs I believe =)

compared to todays 2,600lbs mini

 

its funny that everyone would classify the mini as something different, where I would find it as the closest competition all around. And since so many people here test drove the mini then bought a Scion...

 

the xA/ist is what happens when the Mini Cooper and Toyota Matrix have sex... :D

 

Is jackmott a troll??

Here he wants a mini.

In another forum on this site he wants a Neon SRT-4.

Would you please buy one of those pieces of crap and be done with it?

Just don't come back here whining: "I should have bought a Toyota."

 

badwinger, I bought and XA, because I wanted an inexpensive car and I am very happy with it.

the mini and SRT4 both cost more. Also im not particularly interested in a 'performance' front wheel drive car because its a pretty retarded concept in my opinion. But, if you must go that route, the Minis are the best handling FWD cars on the market today, and the SRT4 is BY FAR the quickest.

I am not a troll, I simply stand up for truth, rather than rabid fanboyism.

 

Wow, I've never heard of someone being refered to as a "troll". What's a troll, what are you saying, you mean like this...


Now I'm just confused...

 

my 86 corolla has around 67 hp, and only uses premium. Its still fun to drive though

I may be wrong, but I am fairly certain that the 04 mini has atleast 30-40 more hp, or the S has like 70 more hp. If your only comparison is "how fast they go" then mini wins. But thats not all buying a car is based on

 

sure

the XA would obviously is cheaper

and the XB is obvsiouly cheaper and has more interior volume.

looks are also a consideration for most people. but thats entirely subjective

 

Hey Jack... Nice job by the way on the autocross.

Can you tell me what gear do you drive the xA mostly in autocross?

I of course can't drive that well, but I'm trying things out - working my way up to the harder things...

How is the xA in doing heel/toe downshifting technique?

Do you do anything unusual in the xA compared to 'regular' cars let's say?

I find my seating position is different, more upright in the xA. I have to steer differently too.

I like the xA though - it's a pretty fun car. I like the engine - how smooth it is. :D

 

curious to know the feedback as well!


as for trolls, they're people who come by trying to start arguments for kicks with a comment they know will get people's attention