OK, you all know I have my Cayman S for sale! In case you didn't check the for sale section. So I have committed to my mom to buy my deceased step-dads Mini. From there the plan was to turn it into a monster track car. I have even bought some unobtanium parts (JCW Challenge coil-overs and Wing - both are NEW in box). But being a Porsche guy, I got to thinking about a 1999 to 2002 Boxster (not S, out of my price range). I figure I can spend in the 8-9K range on a Boxster. There are a few of them out there in that price range. One of them on this very forum. The idea would be to turn the Boxster into a track monster too.

So WHAT SHOULD I DO!?!?!?!?!? Buy my Mom's mini and have fun with it for a couple of years? Or sell it for her. Then once the CS sells, I would buy a Boxster. AHHHHHHHHHHHH.

 

The Mini is a fine car, but could be very difficult to make into a track monster that will handle as well as a Spec Miata, Porsche, Lotus or other cars. My daughter has a Mini-S, and I love driving it on the street. My supercharged Miata is JUST as fast or faster than a Mini S on the track, and the S/C Miata is definitely faster in the curves. I suggest you consider this: supe-up the Cayman for track use and use the Mini as your dailey driver. Or, whatever you think best....

 

I owned a 2004 Boxster 986 base and sold it for a 2007 Cooper S. Great fun at first but once the thrill wore off, and it did not take long, I missed my Boxster. I sold the MINI and bought a Miata Grand Touring 6 spd. Nice car but again I could not develop a connection to it.
So two years passed and I owned and sold my MINI S, owned and sold my Miata, bought an Alfa Romeo Veloce, sold that, and gone full circle back to a Boxster, but this time a 987 S. I feel "automotively" at home, and the connection is re-made. Nothing like a Porsche. Just my .02 cents. Good Luck in whatever you decide.

 

I've owned 5 minis. My last was a JCW producing 250WHP and 260 WTQ.



I tracked the car and hit the wall at VIR at 120mph in turn 8. I bought it back (I'm in the bodyshop business) and while I had it apart, I installed OS Giken clutches, LSD, recaro seats, coil overs, etc, etc.

I LOVED the car. While the car couldn't keep up in the straights with some of the higher horsepower cars, it wouldn't be until the second or third turn and they'd be giving me the point by. (who knows, maybe they were flipping me off?? LOL)


I have zero regrets buying my 981. I miss my JCW but since my last C5, I haven't tracked a rear wheel drive car in 4 years so I'm excited to get the 981 on the track.

Having said all that.... the 981 is a better performing, smoother, easier driving car than my JCW but the mini was much more fun, hands down.

As much as my JCW held it's own at the track, after owning 4 other minis, they're just not conducive to being a track car as some other cars may be.

My .02 worth....


Mark

 

I've owned a new Cooper S, a new Miata, and still have my 987S Boxster. The Mini, as said previously, wore off most quickly. I'm Porsche'd forever, but did love and respect the Mazda for being great fun and not fully appreciated by most car folks.

 

rob76turbo So have you made your mind yet ? Any bites on the Cayman ?

 

Both are great cars, but definitely the Porsche imo is the better one to own.

 

I feel you pain I have always wanted a MiNI.

 

I had 2006 Mini S (supercharger) until last year. Great daily driver. I would keep the Mini as a daily driver and upgrade the Cayman S for track.