OK, I think the Mini looks a lot better, but, the Focus has 170HP engine, a six-speed and is highly rated by most auto magazines. Also, there's a local Ford dealer. I'm not sure where the nearest Mini dealer is. My Ford dealer also sells Madza's. Checked out a new RX-8 today. For $28,000 this rotary engined sports car looks like a good deal.............................................. .but I still want a MINI.

Thanks to those who replied to my Mini vs Mini S post. I feel sure the MC would be fine with me. :smile:

 

no i didnt sorry

also i think the rx8 is much more of the class as a s2K, g35 coupe, 350Z, bmw z4 that kinda car

i think the mini s and the rotary mazda are not in the same class

also ask "dandp" his mom has a svt focus, and he has a cooper, he has written extensively on this subject

and if ur thinking of comparing or thinking aobut other cars in the same class here are a few alternatives

bmw 1 series
audi a3
new golf/gti
honda civic hatch
bettle

i mean i could go on and on..

hope i helped somehow :smile:

 

Robert,

I work at a Ford dealer in Norfolk, Virginia, and know a lot about, and have driven the SVT Focus extensively, as my work buddy and best friend has recently purchased an '03 SVT Focus with the European Appearance package.

Buy the MINI

 

>>
>>also i think the rx8 is much more of the class as a s2K, g35 coupe, 350Z, bmw z4 that kinda car
>>
>>i think the mini s and the rotary mazda are not in the same class
>>
I have driven the Mazda RX8 and the Nissan 350Z, and I think the Cooper S is definitely in the same league if you're talking about driving fun.

 

Ryan and others - my mom has a Focus ZX3, just to clear that up. Haven't driven an SVT though.

 

I wouldn't know. I was not allowed to test drive the SVT Focus when I visited my local Ford SVT dealer after a 4 month wait. The sales manager said "This is a very high performance car, we just can't let anyone take it for a spin!" "If you want to drive it, you buy it first!".

Facts he did not consider or know about me:
1. I've purchased over $420,000.00 worth of fleet vehicles from his fleet department for my business in the past 5 years.
2. Purchased a piece of *#@! Windstar from them 6 months prior.
3. I had an appointment to test drive for 4 months.
4. I'm 45 years old with kids
5. I have driven: Ferrari 275 GBT, Ferrari Daytona, Porsche 930, Lotus 23 & 18, 427 Cobra, etc....
6. I had 0 points on my driving record, I'm insured.
7. I had cash ready to purchase that day.
8. I had already test driven a MINI Cooper S.
9. I know the dealership owner.

Bottom line and end of rant.....I drive by his dealership every day in my MCS. I wonder if he still has a job?

 

A friend of mine drives an SVT. It is definitely quick and handles well. It just lacks the personality that the MINI has.

 

>>I wouldn't know. I was not allowed to test drive the SVT Focus when I visited my local Ford SVT dealer after a 4 month wait. The sales manager said "This is a very high performance car, we just can't let anyone take it for a spin!" "If you want to drive it, you buy it first!".
>>

It's attitudes like this that prompted me to enter management at a dealership, rather than sales. There are too many old school managers that give the car business a bad name... Hopefully I can remember that when I'm in my sales managers chair down the road.

In his defense, he obviously had no clue who he was dealing with! As Ford loyal as I am, I'm positive had he just handed the keys over, you would have found quickly that the MCS was the right car for you anyhow... so be glad you didn't waste your time!

On a side note, if anyone has any Ford questions, I'll endevour to provide answers to the best of my ability!

_________________
2003 Electric Blue/White roof Cooper S
Status: On board the Jingu Maru as we speak... arriving in NY on July 28th

 

Why Ford has such unreliable products?

 

MINI isn't exactly a hallmark of reliablility.

 

SCCs Tough Crowd Comparison Test

All of these cars are under $20k. The SVT tied with the MCS for third (only because of the s lites otherwise the S would have taken third without trying).

---------------------

Thameth's post about SVT Focus

He said that the SVT had plenty of problems and wants to get rid of it for the S. Go read it.

 

Top of page 6, sorry.

 

>>
>>>>
>>>>i think the mini s and the rotary mazda are not in the same class
>>>>
>>I have driven the Mazda RX8 and the Nissan 350Z, and I think the Cooper S is definitely in the same league if you're talking about driving fun.


ah gotcha. i was talking about price wise :smile:

 

I see. You're correct there.

 

>>The sales manager said "This is a very high performance car, we just can't let >>anyone take it for a spin!" "If you want to drive it, you buy it first!".


I hate sales people like that... DUDE i wanted to test drive the Scion (sp) the tiny cheap new toyota.. thats 108 hp, ya i asked if i can try that and they were sooo hesitent... can u drive manual? let me see your licence... are u willing to buy? Oh shush and let me drive!

 

This past friday night, I stopped at the gas station to fill up Junior when I was approached by an SVT owner how it was to drive a MINI. I told him that Junior had met and exceeded my expectations from the start. I said that I was very happy with it and glad that I bought the MINI.

The SVT owner said he was contemplating buying the MINI instead of the SVT, but he didn't explain why he picked the SVT over the MINI. :smile:

 

>>Why Ford has such unreliable products?

Actually, if you look at recall numbers, I believe in 2001 Ford recalled approx. 71,000 vehicles.. a lot to be sure.

General Motors Recalled approx. 400,000 (i might be off a bit, going by memory here, but it's in the 100's of thousands)

Daimler Chrysler recalled 1.6 MILLION!!

The focus had some bad press, but have since worked out the majority of the bugs is my understanding talking to my mechanics. They tend to favor Ford Trucks, the Escape, Expedition, Explorer, Crown Vic and Mustang... Taurus and Focus are unloved.

The only thing on the map from Ford that excites me is the New F-150, The new Mustang forthcoming in '05, and the Ford Freestyle.. a very cool crossover vehicle.

Let's all just hope the MINI's reliability and problems are corrected quickly as time goes on.

 

Why are they gonna stop makin the T-bird?

 

For $28,000 this rotary engined sports car looks like a good deal.............................................. .

I drove the RX8 last week....it was a hoot to drive, IMO a lot of car for $28K, but agree definitely in different league than the MCS, but 6K more. I liked it much better than the G35. I also test drove the MCS works which puts the price near the RX8 which then puts it at a big disadvantage IMO. The MCS should be compared to the new Neon, GTI, Focus, Civic SI and RS....cars in the low $20's....putting up there against the G35, Z, RX8 or TT is just not fair to the MCS....cheers

 

I ended up buying an '02 SVT Focus (used, w/7K miles) on it. I really wanted the MCS, but the following factors helped my decision:

-6 Month wait
-$11,000 more for a new MCS (full sticker) over the slightly-used SVT.
-Only one dealer in my area for MINI while I am friends with some folks at a very, nearby Ford Dealer.

With that said, I have driven both cars. They are both, fast, quick and a ton of fun to drive. I still think the MINI has more personality, but the deal on this car (from a friend who adopted 3 kids and needed to off a payment) was too good to turn down. They really are similar when it comes to driving. I do like the hatch area in the SVT Focus a bit more, but the dash is cooler in the MINI. For the fun factor, I didn't think 11K more was worth it.

Enjoy what you drive I say. I still read the boards here though, as I do like the MINI and down the road, who knows, I may have one. In the meantime, I'll have fun with the SVT and honk/wave at the MINI owners when we pass each other. :smile:

 

>>Why are they gonna stop makin the T-bird?

Low sales volume..there isn't much call for a 2 seater converible at over 40k a piece.

I'm selling my '96 T-Bird by the way folks.. extremely clean and tricked out.. low miles and cheap at $5500. PM me for details!

 

It seems to me that Ford has had a lot of bombed out cars lately:

Thunderbird
Lincoln Blackwood
Lincoln Aviator

FoMoCo has decided to pull the plug on these cars due to poor sales (Not exactly because they are bad cars per se).

I personally will not own a Ford product ever again. After geting "Burned out" with a then new '87 Aerostar XL Minivan and a '88 Tempo GL I promised myself to never set foot in a Ford dealership. With the strings of recalls and quality problems (Ford Focus comes to mind) it seems to me that Ford can't get the quality aspect of the products after all these years.

I think Ford's problems have to do with the corporate culture than anything else. Nice cars, crappy build.