Hi there, I am new to the forums and actually don't own a MINI just yet. I currently own a 2000 Camaro SS which is currently for sale. I am strongly considering purchasing a MINI Cooper S as my next vehicle and found this site when I was researching information about these cars. I am going to test drive a MCS this week and after that I will make my decision on whether or not I will like the car. As you may be thinking a Camaro and a MINI are completely different cars so I'm not sure what to expect when I take a MCS out for the first time. Hopefully my car sells soon and I can puchase my MCS and start a new chapter in my car life haha.
Welcome twitch, I hope you make the right choice. Nice Camaro by the way...... The MINI is a much smaller car (I'm sure you knew that), you will probably find that you'll be better "connected" in the MINI as far as handling. I hope, when you take your test drive, you experience the "go-cart handling", it's really there. Get on some crooked roads (do they have them in Texas") for your trial. Oh.... Much much better gas mileage. You'll probably be grinning when you return the MINI.... Just a guess. Good luck
I hope thats the case. I have always liked MCS's which is why I decided to look at them. I've never sat in one, let alone drive one so I'm not sure what to expect. As far as the handling, I'm sure it will feel like a go-kart but I'm not sure if the factory suspention on the MCS will compare to the way my Camaro is set up. My Camaro is an absolute dream to take out on the corners, and would be hard to beat in the handling aspect. I'm also not sure how I will feel about the power of the MCS, however that is not a huge concern to me. And yes I agree about the mileage I'm sure it will be quite better then my car. It being a stalled auto with a cam lets just say the gas mileage is much less then a stock Camaro.
Welcome to Motoring Alliance, thanks for taking the time to be a member, it is appreciated. What part of TX? We have quite a few local MINI clubs depending on the area. If you are in the D/FW area please contact me, I can offer so recommendations as to dealerships and people to work with,
I am located in Richmond, TX which is just south of Houston. There are a few dealers around that have some decent deals on MCS's. I found one local here, its an 08 MCS that is the Dark Silver color (not sure of the technical name) with 15k miles for 16.9k. It seems like a good deal to me, but I'll have to keep researching to see what I can find.
There is a Dark Silver, or after a few drinks it's been called Dork Silver. In case you are wondering we do a full list of MINI Colors at Motoring Alliance :: MINI Cooper Forums - Colors
Welcome twitch (named after the character in the movie Holes?) So, after all this work on the Camaro, why are you getting rid of it? I can tell you that any stock MCS will spank a stock Camaro (except perhaps the new one) on a roadcourse - and it's so much fun to do so! Go drive one, you'll be hooked, but watch out for torque steer - it's front drive, remember...
Welcome to M/A I'm sure you will enjoy the test drive, and then the lifelong addiction to these little marvels Mark
After the Koni's and Hotchkis springs the Camaro is a whole different animal. Don't let the fact that its a "musclecar" fool you haha. I love my car to death, and its currently not my daily dirver. But I drive about a 60 mile round trip a day and its just not something that I want to do that in. So far its been a weekend cruiser and I love it for that. I am going to need to daily drive my own vehicle soon (which would be the Camaro if I keep it) and I don't want to destroy that car its in too good of shape. Plus the gas mileage + premium gas is not cheap haha. My car has bowel crushing TQ so this MCS will be a change, thats for sure. I'm just looking for a fun little car that I can drive every day and enjoy it. Its seems like the MCS fits there nicely haha. Thanks fellow Canadian (my hometown is Alberta, Canada) I'm sure I will enjoy the test drive too, I don't know if thats a good thing because I have to wait for my car to sell to pick one up so I'm going to make myself impatient haha.
Don't worry, once you get the right one, you'll be modding it and tuning it in no time. Some of these guys get 190 lbs of torque - which is pretty crazy for such light weight cars. And they make excellent DDs. Can't wait to hear about your new ride!
I'm going to try my hardest not to mod this car, because I maybe over modded my Camaro lol. I think the most I'll do to the mini is wheel/tires, springs, koni shocks (my favorites), a new intake system (i was looking at the m7), and a turboback exhaust (i think thats what you guys call it haha), and of course a tune
Get a JCW and you can enjoy driving it instead of modding it! Welcome to the funnest MINI site of them all...