Hello all,

As my name suggests, I am pondering buying a used MCS - looking for something in the $18,000-$21,000 range, with under 35,000 miles. I sold my previous car, a 2003 Nissan Maxima (big, torquey V6 motor, 255hp, suspension mods) about 2.5 months ago, and have been looking for the "it" car for over 3 months.

I have considered the MINI several times in this time span, going back and forth between it and some other cars which are faster/more sporty (99 Vette, 2001 Honda S2000, 350Z, etc.). But, I keep coming back to the MCS - I just love the way they look (especially the Dark Silver/Black roof ones) and their handling is bar none. However, going from an automatic transmission V6 with about 270 ft/lb torque and a low 14 second 1/4 mile time, I am afraid that the MCS will dissapoint me in the acceleration department.

What do you all think? I don't go to drag races or do much street racing, but the Maxima had great all around performance when I needed it. Will the MCS have the same, or will I be dissapointed?

Thanks.

 

At the risk of being flamed, I'll go ahead and say that the MCS might not be for you. I traded in an '03 Cobra making roughly 380 to the rear wheels, because I wanted to see what this whole "Mini" thing was about. For about the first four months of ownership, it was awesome. I love the handling, but wanted more power, because at the same time I loved the handling, I missed that kick in the seat power.

Well, I've done most of the reasonable power mods, intake, pullies, etc, and just can't see the reason in going any farther when the MCS will never be as fast as I'm used to.

Fortunately for you, however, if you're used to 14 second time-like accelleration, you'll be in luck, since that's about what minor mods MCS's run.

Ultimately, I figured I'd be able to buy the MCS and mod it back to what I was used to, but didn't do the research until I had the car and saw that in the end, it's not really worth it, if you're like me, a power, rear end hanging out, sloppy tire-smoke kind of guy.

You however, don't sound altogether like that type. So, the pluses for you would be:

- Great interior
- Power level back to what you're used to after a few modifications
- Better looking car than the Maxima(subjective opinion statement)

It's your choice, really. Just don't buy the car thinking you're going to smoke much out there, if you like running with the folks on the highway or wherever, because it won't happen with the MCS. I still get spanked on a regular basis by GTIs, bone stock WRX's, etc.

All in all, I don't regret buying the car, it just wasn't the ultimate satisfaction I thought it'd be.

 

will you regret buying an MCS?

no.

 

Although not performance related, you might like to read this

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=56275

 

Why are you looking used? I bought a new one for 22K, you could skip my two add-ons, H/K stereo and MF steering wheel, get all the performance and just be a shade over 21 K.

 

Good choice of options...I might have gotten the fog lights just because I don't like having places for lights that don't have them. You don't need a lot of options to fully enjoy a MINI IMO.

Great color choice to and no $450 for metallic paint.

 

Just three points of rationalization for buying it.

1. If you do regret it then at least you've bought a used one and the re-resale value on that will still be relatively high, minus the mods, compared to the re-resale value of most if not all of those others. Then again CDMINI has a good point too.

2. The big advantage the MCS has over the others is handling. That's what you have to determine, great speed in the curves or great straight line speed. I chose curves and don't regret it. The mods will give me enough of that extra boost that will really make it nice.

3. MINI folk are a fun group to hang with! Find a local club.

 

Surely you didn't get one for that price from Downtown. I see your location is Orlando, Florida, so yeah, I'd have to wonder how you made that happen.

 

The truly wise thing to do is to go take one for a test drive...a really intensive test drive. Really shake it out. Also note that the transmission gearing changed in 05, so a prior model will be different slightly.

Where the MINI kills some of the more powerful cars out there is in its go-kart handling. I can't tell you how often I'm going through a turn at 90 mph and decide to accellerate rather than slow down. A big power muscle car would have to dive onto the brakes long before reaching that same turn.

Drive one and you'll see what I mean.

 

Great info, thanks.

I like to KNOW that I can beat such and such car off the line, on the freeway, etc. but I hardly ever actually did that in my 2.5 years of Maxima ownership: street racing in CA + getting caught = misery, to say the least. I have looking for a car that would be fun to drive ALL the time, a head turner, and something pretty reliable. The S2000 fits all of those, and is a good bit faster than the MINI, and handles really, really well also. But there's something about these little cars that draws me to them...

 

I refuse to suffer the depreciation of new cars. My Maxima had a sticker of $29,500. I paid about $24,000 out the door, and sold it for about $7,000 less in 2.5 years! Ridiculous. I'll let someone else take the hit on these cars this time around. Plus, when adding in the things I want in my car, a new one is about $25,000 + tax, title and license. Far out of my price range. :(

 

You sold a versatile car offering function and performance. The MINI is also versatile, but in a smaller format, including its motor. In order to experience much thrust you have to keep the revs in peak torque range. I believe the Honda is similar but quicker. The Corvette and 350Z have more low end torque. If you don't need the occasional extra carrying capacity and the ability to squeeze into a parking space, but prize acceleration you will be happier with the other 3--or a restored Mazda RX7 from the 90s (why have they made a come back?). If anything with less than the Maxima's acceleration causes you to yawn then ignore the MINI and have a blast on the straights.

 

Sure did, the only thing I got stuck extra for was the $94 for floor mats, oh and the 299 Dealer fee,..(PRICE edited by author).

 

NO, you wont be dissapointed

Its not as fast as your maxima, minor mods could get it up there though, choosing between a s2000 and the mini is hard, you have to see if you picture yourself in a mini. They are great cars and always put a smile on your face. At the end if you are a drag racing type of guy, you might be dissapointed.

 

It actually sounds like you might be disappointed if you are expecting the MINI to be a corvette or S2K. If you decide that you might enjoy the superior handling over incredible raw horsepower than the MINI is sure to delight you.

The way I look at it, my moderately modified MCS is faster than most anything out there and I can smoke most any big high horsepower muscle car if (and onlyif) I can get them to follow me through 3 quick turns.

But if I wanted something to impress most anyone at a stoplight I would look for something other than a MINI. ..

 

That is the ticket with these, whatever speed you start your turn at it seems like you can always add some more on, and it doesn't mind a bit.

 

i went from an MCS to a 350Z back to a Cooper in a 5 month time span. the 350Z is in my opinion easily the best looking car on the road today, but honestly was no where near as fun and rewarding to drive as the MINI.

 

I sure don't regret it!!! 1 thing though... With 21 grand to spend you're not that far off from getting a new one. I imagine that if you like you're S2000 you love a Mini... I drove an S2000 at a Honda dealer about a year ago and I must say the I think that I like my MCS better... otherwise I would have bought the S2000!

On the other hand, if you are more of a Vette guy, a Mini may not be what u are looking for

 

Wait, you even somehow got Downtown to drop that ridiculous "add-on" $1400(or whatever it is) fee? The one that is supposedly for merchandise they "give" you?

 

yea i have to agree with everyone's comments... the mini isn't about straight line speed. It can well enough on the straights but its in the bends that mini is a stand out. I drove most of the cars on the list you have save the 350.. and i have to say i love the mini.. vette.. the interior is just plain plastic ugliness. IMHO. I like you had the dilemma of S2000 v Mini.. mini won out.. its a little tighter in the turns.. not by much but that little bit helps.. I think either car your going to be satisfied with.. if your looking for a straight burner, the mini simply isn't it.. its about as fast as a civic si in the straights when you get right down to it.

 

On top of all the plusses everyone else has listed, the MINI is much more practical than an S2000. It is amazing the amount of cargo these cars can hold.

 

ponder, acceleration wise, it will.

but a maxima is a maxima. it's a nice sedan but it's a maxima for
crying out loud. Get your MCS this week. You will learn
that "performance" is not about just going straight (if you know
how to drive).

 

That's excellent advice if he lives in an area that has plenty of twisties.

That's actually the reason I will be moving on next year, sadly enough. I live in Orlando, the land of long straight streets, and long straight highways. You can enjoy a big motor everywhere, but a car that can handle like a razor? Not so much.

If I could, I'd move to Atlanta where there are all those places on the outskirts of the city proper, all those rural areas with proper twisties up and down hills.

But, alas, gotta stay where the work's at!

So yeah, that's another thing I'd advise Ponder to...well, ponder.

Ponder, think about where you live. Are there plenty of curvy, twisty backroads around that you could just see yourself blasting down? If so, yes, the Mini is the way to go, no question about it. But if you(like I) do most of your driving on six lane public thoroughfaires where everyone's doing between 50 and 70, and none of 'em can drive?

Take my advice. Get an actually fast car. My Cobra saved my bacon more than a few times because a lot of people don't know what the hell they're doing behind the wheel.

 

oh, does Ponder live in Houston or something?

i must have missed that.

 

To be honest, I'm not sure.

I just think that it's important for those of us who come from faster cars to consider our surroundings when contemplating buying a Mini. Because if I lived in a really awesome twisty area, I'd never consider anything other than a Mini, and that's a fact.

But since I don't have anywhere I can take advantage of the car's strengths...