What do you think of the Mini Cooper S vs. GTI?

[ducky]

I've got a huge dilemma. I'm getting a new car in the next few weeks, and it's between the new Cooper S, or a VR6 GTi. I've driven the Cooper S before, and it handles extremely well, and is a really quick car. The same is for the GTi. I like them equally, and it's really come down to a decision over safety/looks. The Cooper looks small from the outside yet feels as big as the GTi from the inside. The GTi feels like a bigger car, and I do feel a little safer in it.

Now for about $24k I can get a Cooper S w/ almost all the options except navigation. I can get a fully loaded GTi for the same price.

So the question is what do you guys think of the way both of these cars look? I think that the Mini is really cool looking, but I don't want to buy something that, in a few months, will be percieved as a girls car (regardless of the SC'd engine and excellent handling).

Everytime I see a Cooper it just grows on me even more. I just don't want to order something this week, and then be disappointed. So please post any pros/cons/opinions of these cars that you have.

[blondechick]

Hmmm. I'm a girl. I love the Mini, specially the Cooper S. A lot of my girl friends hate the thing, though. It could become a girl car, but I don't know. I would go for it, though. Who cares if it's a girl car? It's still freaking awesome.

[m3cycln]

The mini might be...but the Cooper S is a CAR...whether it be a woman or man....I go get the Cooper S.........let me know how it holds up....I want one !

[nftyM3]

between the Cooper S and the GTi, I would definitely pick the Cooper S, because
1. it looks better
2. its NEW, GTi's are all over the place

but for $24k I might also start to look at the WRX..........and then get the Cooper S anyways.


on another note, why'd you get banned on DTM?

[Bry]

I would say Cooper S. That is an awesome car! ;)

[umnitza]

How does the GTI even factor in here - aside from the same price?
It's an old design soon to be replaced.

The Mini and WRX are your alternatives.

But why NEW? for that same 24K you're talking M3 territory.

I'd think long and hard about this one and drop the GTI out of the equation altogether.

[phonuff]

If it was between the Cooper S and the GTI, Cooper S all the way.

But if it was between the WRX and the Cooper S, WRX of course. Then again, I'm biased :love1

I say test drive the Cooper S and the WRX and pick for yourself. If your going to the ABC thing next Saturday you can prolly pick mine apart.

BTW - I thought the most of the Minis were preordered? How are you getting one?

[Rook]

http://www.vwvortex.com/news/02_02/02_27/337_side.jpg

The New GTI 337 Edition.

That is *EXACTLY* what I'd pick.

Cloth recaro seats, vastly improved handling, nice power, nice wheels, sweet looking car, etc.

You can pre order them now :-)

[euro_imports_21]

I like the GTi and would get it... but maybe that's cuz I don't know much about the S.

[RichP]

Cooper S; I dont think its going to have the girl bias of the VW, the Mini comes from a strong racing hertitage, and BMW spent a large sum to make sure that car was perfect. Also, I think it has a lot more style than the VW.

[umnitza]

for 24K you still get an M3:D:D
Why not that instead?

[RichP]

Hey, you got me thinking about the Mini, so I went to take a look at it...what an absolutely phenomenal car....its no contest.

[Lance325is]

The GTI looks like a beast to me. A great performance styleing car for the money but I have yet to see the new mini in person

[SSJ_Chris]

I'm kinda in the same boat, I'm either gonna make my 325is into an M3 AA Turbo which when said and done would cost me about 26K for all the parts and work so i started to look for an alternative. sure the turbo would be hella sweet but that leaves me with a turbo in the North East Winters, very bad idea. SO i think i will get the Cooper S and slowly work on the 325is to make it a track car slowly as money allows it.
Oh and how can you feel safer in the GTI just look at all the safety feature for the Mini hell the engine brakes loose when in a serious head on collision to save your precious legs and possibly your life. Hmmm i think the Mini is a hell of a lot safer.

[OPTIMO]

Hmmm. I'm a girl. I love the Mini, specially the Cooper S. A lot of my girl friends hate the thing, though. It could become a girl car, but I don't know. I would go for it, though. Who cares if it's a girl car? It's still freaking awesome.

I don't think it will become a girl car, but I personally like the older RHD Mini's. With huge 10" wheels, that's bling bling. I'm actually looking at one as possibly a project rally car.

I'd go Cooper S. I really don't care for the exterior styling all that much, but it does still resemble the original, which is good. The interior has too many circles, feels like a TT, and that huge tach mounted right in front of you seems a little rice. However, it's surprisingly comfortable.

VWs are for girls. I think that stereotype is there, but you won't see it for Cooper (at least not the S). You will have more fun driving the Mini in my opinion.