Cooper S vs 03 Si hatchback

Which would be a better buy im thinking of getting a mini S and then modding it but i kind of like the new civic Si and its DOHC V-Tec isnt that the same engine as the R types? But I have heard the mini's can really make some power too.

no, the civic si is NOT the same as the civic type r. the civic si only has the 160hp 4 banger from the rsx base model, making it the shoddiest attempt at a sporty compact. if you like vintage looks, better performance stock, the cooper is a good choice. i'm sure the aftermarket for the civic is much larger than the cooper. i'm not sure about the aftermarket for the mini.

in stock form, the civic si isn't much to brag about compared to the supercharged cooper s. but being a honda, its aftermarket support is more extensive.

Well the Civic is slower, and certianly here in NZ cheaper.
But it does have the better aftermarket surport, and a 200hp engine from an RSX?Integra is an easy swap, which means a 220hp engine from a Type R Integra from Japan, or a 200hp engine Type R civic from the UK will also be an easy swap.

But then who wants to buy a new car and ruin all the advantages of having a new car by doing something like an engine swap?

As a performance car the Mini wins out in every aspect, but the Civic is far more praticle, and in this class of car, that has to be a major consieration.

The Mini has a better look

the new Si is a joke in stock form. thats all i have to say. how can a new car actually be heading backwards in the evolution ladder?

i would say buy a standard mini cooper and modify it from there

the aftermarket is actually quite extensive as well, dont get the S because ur just setting urself up for a trap - very little power can be extracted from the S

with a standard mini, theres already a stage I turbo putting out 200hp from stock internals/ clutch/ tranny

MMhhhh... tuning, bof, buy the Cooper S. If you want something more powerfull, pay more in a Clio V6, A 147 GTA, a Focus RS, etc.