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Mini Cooper v. Hyundai Tiburon v. Acura RSX v. Subaru WRX
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Comments
And that "woofer" they threw in the trunk is an embarrassment. Thank God for the convenient and potent Infinity BassLink I bought and installed.
Do you also have a BassLink?
It seemed that no matter how securely I thought I had mounted (and re-mounted) the sub, it would eventually let go and start slamming around the trunk when I got to the twisty parts.
I still have the stock HU and speakers (even have the puny Bose Woofer still powered). Even w/ that stock stuff, I'm impressed w/ the BassLink. I'm glad I didn't get a Bazooka.
Interestingly, the only two vehicles in this discussion that are considered to be competing vehicles (according to Edmunds) are the Acura RSX and Hyundai Tiburon.
Revka
Host of Hatchbacks & Wagons
It's very hard to reach that level of performance with customization.
-juice
Me being one of them, they are fine for commutes. The ride is compliant enough for long drives, and the front seat is great. I occasionally commute over 45 miles to work and no problems.
Definite split personality to it, IMO. I like that, your driving mood changes and the car adapts to you.
-juice
-juice
Hyundai pulled manufacturer support after 2002 (like Mitsu pulled it after last year). There are no SCCA prorally manufacturer teams this year as Subaru thought it silly to play all by itself ;-)
At the WRC level, the Impreza WRC and Accent WRC were in the same class as well.
-juice
Anyways, I wasn't trying to say one is better than another. Just pointing out the truth about the street legal rally car tagline. To repeat, if rally cars weren't allowed to drive on the street then they couldn't compete, as public road transits must be driven. There are rally classes for everything including old 60HP Justys and Swifts.
I am looking to get rid of the Acura and get a WRX wagon.
The handling of the Mini is unbelievable. If you don't need to haul a lot of people or gear, the Cooper S (especially with the Works package) is tough to beat. Ours has been very reliable so far, but only time will tell.
With AWD and the flexibility of 4 doors and a wagon rear end, the WRX offers more than the others can manage. If there were an STi wagon, I would be drooling over that. But I am sure that the WRX wagon is more than enough car for me.
The Mini has amazing handling. I can do without the tight spaces inside though - it makes my RSX seem roomy. And I have my doubts about the long-term durability of those windows that pop the rest of the way up and seal themselves after the doors close.
Beyond that, if it were NA, the Mini Cooper S would have been my choice, probably. The WRX is a great ride but I may never get over my distrust of turbos, especially some of the icky turbos in Subaru's past. (yes, I am aware they are a whole different ballgame today than they were 20 years ago)
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
The WRX was way below what I would consider acceptable for an interior when I was looking, especially at that price. They have improved it a lot for '05, and as I understand it there will be some more sprucing up for '06. Even if I trusted the long-term durability of turbos, I would still hate turbo lag, which is fairly vicious in the WRX.
One car not mentioned here is the GTI, in particular the new one that will be available here in about four months. The new 2.0T from VW has pretty much NO turbo lag at all, and that car has a VERY nice interior. The handling may be less than I would hope, even with the new IRS, just because of the weight. And I am cautiously wondering just where they will set the price. But if those couple of things come together in tghe right way, the GTI may set the new bar in the segment, even though the WRX has more raw horsepower.
And of course, the new Civic SI, hitting dealerships this weekend, will have 200 hp and a 6-speed as well, and come in much cheaper than a Mini Cooper S Works, GTI, or a WRX, with a typically nice Honda interior, one would hope.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
C&D took a Forester with this powertrain to 60mph in less than 5 seconds, so the lighter WRX (with shorter gearing due to smaller diameter tires) should be even quicker.
WRXs are already here, too.
Is the Civic really coming that soon? That should be fun...
-juice
the Mini is cute, and possibly the Cooper S with the Works package is something, but my hour-long commute into Philadelphia means playing tag with hulking SUV's . There are quite a few EXTREMELY bad drivers out here in Philly, and the Mini is just small enough to be 'ignored' while lane switching. There is no denying that parking a Mini in the city is much easier than parking practically any other car, but then again, surviving the commute in order to park would be my main concern. Otherwise, paying close to $30K (Works package and options) for a car with about 200 horses seems a little pricey, especially with a Mustang GT only costing about $25K. But cute sells...
Couldn't easily get into a 2005 Tiburon. I'm 6 foot, with a 32 " inseam, and getting out of the car required a near limbo-like maneuver.
The Acura RSX is a wonderful machine. I test drove a Type S, but the salesguy was hesitant to let me get the car to redline. I felt more safe in it at highway speeds than the Mini; it is bigger, and harder to ignore. Interior was very nice and relatively comfortable, and my wife liked it. Problem was, my previous car was a Toyota Solara, and being in a smaller coupe didn't make me feel like I had made much of a 'switch' in getting a new car.
I also testdrove a Civic Si - neat car, but the clutch on both cars I tested engaged very high off the floor for me. I have a bad ankle, which made shifting gears a little difficult with such a high engage point. (I also test drove a Focus SVT - fun car, but I had to keep saying... it's a Ford.)
So I bought a WRX. Car does well by most consumer and driving mags, and its hood scoop actually does keep SUV's off me. I have friends who own (seperately) a Forester, a Legacy wagon, and a WRX wagon - all are happy with their cars. The all-wheel drive means a lot to me when it rains on my commute, and I'll be happy for it come winter time. I don't see a problem with the turbo in the future; I'm an adult and my racing days are over. But that doesn't mean I can't enjoy my car.
Yes, the WRX becomes a MUCH more attractive option now that the engine has grown in displacement and off-boost power. I wonder how much the price will increase for '06? Among the group listed here, it is edging away to become the most expensive. The only one that might challenge it for price when it finally arrives is the new GTI. That car will have a more aggressive handling package standard than the WRX does. But of course, it will be FWD too. :-(
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
-juice
Your Type S takes premium fuel also, right?
-juice
maybe i should get out of the rare book trade and get into the oil business... or better yet a more honourable profession like strongarming or graft... :mad:
-juice