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Mini Cooper v. Hyundai Tiburon v. Acura RSX v. Subaru WRX
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Comments
The 2002 MINI is a first-year car. Some have problems, but as I said above this is true of most cars.
Recalls and other problems don't seem to stop sales these days. Look at the Focus.
I ordered it in January (and had to endure a 5-month wait).
I LOVE the car and bought it without comparing it to other cars.
Sure, I had a list of 2 or 3 other cars I thought about getting, but I realized that good things come to those that wait.
I wouldn't sell my car to ANYONE on the waiting list for an 'S'. Not even for $50,000 Cdn.
The car totally feels like a BMW. (I've been around MANY Bimmers, as I used to work at the dealership I bought my Mini).
Just take one for a test drive. The constant looks and smiles from passerby you'll get are worth it alone!
1. too short. At 11 feet long, shortest vehicle sold to the U.S. general public (per Car and Driver). I am hessitant to drive it due to crash protection. I am curious to see how it rates when the NHSA tests it.
2. I am not a big fan of the styling. Some people love it, I do not, both inside and out.
3. Reliability - new division, basically a new company. Yes it is under the BMW hierarchy, but it is being built by a new division in England. Basically, a new company with BMW looking over it. Because this is not only a new car, but basically a new company, I have a wait and see attitude on the quality.
4. Ride (this is second hand). I have heard that it has a very harsh ride, even though it handles extremely well.
Personally (IMHO), I would get an RSX. Would feel like I am getting more car for the same money.
Instead of issuing "Hear Say" armchair reviews and comments, stop by your nearest MINI dealer and TEST DRIVE THE CAR!
I suspect that after driving either MINI model, you'll soon begin to question your Acura RSX purchase....a few people that currently own RSX's after test driving the MINI have left deposits and put their overpriced Civiesque RSX coupes up for sale.
There is simply no comparison my friend!
TEST DRIVE THE CAR!!!!!
From what I have read, the Mini is a blast to drive, and is as close to a street legal go-cart, in terms of feel and handling, as you can get. The handling is supposed to be great. The problems I have are with the issues I posted.
I am just not a fan of the styling like others are, and am scared to drive it due to the weight and length.
As the colision specialist said, the cars that he witnessed that do the best in accidents are the bigger and longer vehicles. The ones that do the worst are the short and light ones.
Of course with being short and agile, you will probably avoid more accidents also.
As for the agility, that is fantastic but there are times when an accident is unavoidable, when somebody t-bones you in an intersection, or you are rear ended and rammed into the person in front of you.
My safety concerns aside, I definitely think that the Mini is an amazing package, but in a land full of SUV's, safety is a concern. 4 stars out of 5 isn't that impressive after all the hype I'm hearing - I was expecting 5. I mean, BMW this, stiffest steel that, and it got the same rating as a Hyundai Accent.
An Acura RSX is not a good comparison since the RSX is more of a primary car of many people, while it is unlikely a Mini will ever be someone's only means of transportation.
If I wanted a boutique second car, I would consider a Mini. Unfortunately, many of us just plan to have one car for all our purposes. For this reason, the Mini does not fit.
Muffin, the 4/5 stars is for the european crash test; we're still waiting for the NHTSA and IIHS to test the MINI. No Hyundai in that test. Only two cars (not just in that size, but of all tested) scored 5 stars.
My argument is when you compare a Mini S to an RSX Type-S at the same price. The reasons for my tirades on the Mini is that I have major issues with arguments of Mini owners stating their car is superior to an RSX. I personally do not believe this is true. This is strictly their preference, and should be kept in perspective. If you prefer the Mini, great, have fun with it. From what I have heard, it is a blast to drive. Just do not force your opinion on others.
BTW, I do not own an RSX and have no interest in purchasing one at this time.
Finally, these discussion, though lively and cantankerous, have been entertaining none-the-less.
Some dealers won't let you order without buying at least a minimum amount of options and/or accessories but in low volume markets they let you have what you want. The base car, especially in the case of the S, is quite full featured. They are getting them for MSRP with doc fees, freight and PDI so there is a fair markup on them already -- those who charge above MSRP or demand other options are greedy and are taking advantage of a hot market. We'll see who still has customers when it cools off.
So yes at my dealer it is perfectly feasible to get a new Cooper 'S' for under $20K.
From the perspective buyer it just seems that the Mini is a car someone buys when their wife or second car is an SUV, station wagon, or a full sized sedan.
I guess it is just a matter of preference. I know some people that swear by the Mini (just review many of the posters here!), and others who are not big fans of them (like me). That is why they make different cars and different models in different price ranges. To each his own.
Otherwise a family with 1 or 2 kids can do just fine with a full size sedan and a smaller, practical hatchback for the second car.
Kevin, you said you have a Subaru WRX...how do you like it?
The interior is a little on the cheap side (as been mentioned countless times). The handling is very capable, and lane changes are virtually instantanious on the highway. The car has a fairly supple ride on the highway, and is fairly quiet as well (though not as quiet as say a BMW).
There is noticeable turbo-lag. As a result, I do not recommend the Auto. Accelerating onto the highway though, it is great.
O.K., I am gushing and overanalysing a little. Basically, I really like it!
P.S., I did look at an RSX before buying it.
Subarus have terrific 4WD systems, fantastic engines and very solid quality.
Enjoy it!
If you have an interest in the exterior and interior stying, the WRX is not the way to go. I bought it strictly for driving and practicality reasons. The looks do grow on you though.
Where do you live? In Southern California, I do not see too many. I actually a great deal more 3-series than WRXs.
Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards
In the Subaru, there are no options for: -
Leather
Sunroof
climate control
power seats
-scott
I will say this about my WRX, the interior is much nicer than my old Camry's interior! I guess compared to the $30K-something sedan crowd, the interior is substandard, but compared to the $20K-something, it looks pretty good. The seats are awsome as well.
I have only owned my wrx for four months now, but i have added 17" wheels and tires. I have also added a larger rear sway bar. In the future I plan on adding a manual boost controller(very soon), and a vishnu stage zero ( I have to convince the boss"wife" first.) But it also seems the longer I own the car, the more I want to upgrade the suspension. We'll see what happens.
scott
BTW, I saw a new WRX with leather seats. It looked very nice. After market, but about the same price as if they were an option.
I truly believe the engine is the last thing that should be upgraded on the wrx. But I also believe it is a persons intentions of the car that points the person in what direction they are going to go in terms of modifications. I'm involved in auto-x so it only seems handling would be the way to go.
scott
http://www.wrx.org.au/links/aftermarket1.htm
Supposedly Possum Bourne (New Zealand) has a site for parts, but can not find it.
I think Hyundai has to take the award of "most improved company". The Koreans are certainly making headway into the world market. Look at Samsung products, they are becoming world class leaders.
But the Tiburon is not the real deal IMO. It's handling and drivability is still sub-Honda/Toyota/Subaru levels. As long as you are taking that into context, they can be a good deal for the money. However, for us perfectionists, I still look to Subaru/Honda for our sports cars. I'd say give them another 5-10 years and we could be singing a different tune.
RSX - Not bad, but I prefer the WRX's power, AWD handling and overall packaging.
WRX - have one. Love it. The true Swiss Army Knife of compact sports sedans.
So that leaves the Mini.
My take: it's great. But you can't compare it to the WRX. A whole different type of car. To illustrate this, if or when I get bored of my Miata, I'm considering replacing it with the Mini, but I *will* keep my WRX. To me, the Mini would be a nice plaything to toot around in and commute to work in, or the summer weekend backroad excursion. But I wouldn't trade my WRX for one even if I could get full new value for it.
I'm going to wait a few years until they get the kinks out of the Mini, there are too many different reported problems to buy this car IMO. The WRX was the same (to a lesser degree) but it seems to have calmed down now.
This might give some additional weight to the arguments about 1st year vehicles and problems needing to be worked out of them.
I'm sure that it's in all the automotive press, but here's a link to where I saw the story tonight:
http://wcco.com/trouble/StoryFolder/story_309186488_html
Kinda like how some people think the Acura RSX is the next best thing to sliced bread???
Funny how nothing lately has been said about the Tibby. I, for one, would rather have a Tiburon any time over an RSX or a Mini
How could anyone say this car has "had relatively low success in the North American market"?? They sold twice as many as they expected to in their first year, just completed, and could barely build enough to keep up with demand!
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
The only reason I could think of to buy the Tiburon is if you like the styling better.
Later...AH
Honda is recalling over 1 million vehicles for ignition problems. Acura recalls for brake trouble. Nissan recalls for suspension breaking problems. Hyundai and Daewoo recalls for airbag problems. Recall, recall, recall... no company seems to have perfect cars these days, who woulda' thunk'd it?
These other three are totally worth their salt however.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
In the 70s, standard things like airbags, ABS, electronics, heck, even computers were not available to the average car. Nowadays, an regular common sedan, such as an Accord, comes with all of these, with all sorts of other electronic sensors and monitors. More complexity, more possibility for things to go wrong, even if the engineering tools have improved (CAD and CAM).