i am thinking of getting a mini cooper for fun. i drive a 09 cayenne GTS and hoping the mini would provide some relief from the big truck. however, i will have to get an automatic, so my wife can enjoy it too. we will only drive it locally and less than 7-8k miles a year.

i test drove a regular mini and thought that there was enough power to run around in the city. but i would rather spend the extra 3-4k if teh cooper S is going to keep my excitement going. i don't want to end up with a slow car that i will never drive. but the test drive seem to be have proven that would not be the case.

anyone had to make similar decision. i am not a fast drive, but always had high power cars, including current cayenne GTS, AMG E63, 997s, 996C4S, audi S4 and M3. thank you in advance.

 

i have been there few times. i think the S would fit the bill.
3-4k is worth it cuz in the end u will always be thinking should have gotten the S. A small price to pay for the tension. Also, resale would be better if u happen to sell it at some point.

 

thanks, i am thinking the same..

 

Hands down an S... You will regret the regular MINI... If you can spring for the JCW, that would be even better but it does get expensive... You will end up modding the cars and spending the loot...

 

the S has plenty of power and you won't have to mod it. my S I would recommend to anyone. it's fun to drive. excellent car for around tight cities and in the end only costs a few bucks more then the non S.

If you are used to a little bit of speed the non S isn't for you.

 

Get the S and don't look back. You won't have to constantly second guess yourself.

You won't regret the S.

 

When helping my little sister shop for her car, i test drove both. The salesman did a good job showing us what both can do. If it was only for your wife, the non S is plenty for spirited driving, you on the other hand will enjoy the extra HP the S model has to offer.

My sister ended up getting the S anyway, because she liked the sportier look. Even though my seat time is very limited in this car, I can tell you the car is alot of fun for the money, very impressed at how stable and planted the car feels at higher speeds GL

 

the message is loud and clear... get the S..... thank you.

 

I would skip the S and get a factory JCW. Just check out M3This's JCW...

 

I wound up getting the regular since I got a great deal on one fully loaded and I use it mostly as a commuter/airport car so I don't have to take the 911 there. To be honest I think the regular one is still a blast especially when it comes to windy roads. Zero regrets. I don't think you can go wrong either way, they are fun cars but your GTS will smoke either of them .

 

haha, gts may smoke them, but will need to stop for gas and lose valuable time in the race! thanks for the input.

 

except at the gas station and the canyons.

 

Btw, if you want any help to make it faster, or an help in exterior/interior styling, be sure to check out motoringunderground.com. Its a very tight-knit community and any member would be happy to help you with any questions regarding your new mini.

 

Cooper S for sure! 1st of all its much faster. 2nd it saves more fuel, and 3rd resale value is much much higher than the plain Cooper.

 

^Not to mention, the S is a better value in terms of standard equipment compared to a justacooper.