Keep my spot on the Mini list, or go Z?

[RobG]

About a month ago I put myself on the waiting list for a MINI Cooper S. Fully optioned, sans the nav system. Carves corners like no one's business, and has a hair more kick than my current car (2001 Eclipse GT Coupe, premium package). And c'mon, the Austin Mini was voted the world's most classic car in 2000! The thing is timeless.

Well, the Z reviews are starting to hit, and well... umm... ah crap.

I love roadsters. I considered the Audi TT 225 a while back but wasn't keen on the payments despite what an incredible job Audi had done. But... nearly 290HP, 275lb-ft, and handling to match the TT? Ah man...

Already scheduling a test drive. I'm worried about some things though:

1) Rear strut tower brace. You can take home a 36" TV in the Mini. The Z would have to be able to take a suitcase or two, or at least things for short trips.

2) Looks. I keep hearing the Z's interior is average at best, and this isn't a good thing for someone whose ideal car is a BMW 330Ci. I'm halfway on the rear-end as well. I need to see this thing in person, and if I'm not keen on it, it just loses a lot of points.

3) Price. I lease, so residuals and money factors affect a lot. The Mini is around $340/mo, plus I'll save on insurance and gas. Less money for more car than I have now made me excited. I'd like the Touring edition of the Z, so the money factor would need to be < 0.0026 and the residual would have to be pretty good for me to lease it. God knows what the insurance will be on it either. Gas? I could careless about gas when I have nearly 300HP.

4) Performance. I've driven the E46 M3, the C32, S4, countless C5 Corvettes and Camaro SSs. This thing needs to wow me, which I'm sure it will. Nissan best support the car with WORTHWHILE Nismo performance parts as well. I want to see very aggressive cams, headers, valve springs. Stickers and flashy addons aren't my thing. I like it to be no show, all go.

Daytona Blue on Carbon Black, Touring, 6-speed. That's what it'd be. I'm already trying to line up a test drive in Bourne.

But... will it be worth it? I'm picky. I find faults in EVERY car (including the Mini. Notably the horn buttons, and lack of a spare tire), so hopefully I won't find too many points which will drop the Z out of the running. It'll be 8 - 9 months before my Mini arrives. I could have the Z very soon. We'll see what happens, but what is everyone's opinion?

[zane11]

Well i definitly would. For the price its great. 0-60 in 5.4 and 1/4 mile in 14.1, not bad for base price of what 27000? Beats anything in its category. But on the other nahd the mini is also great.

[PookJP]

I'd personally go for the MINI. You get one of the most competent handling packages available for any amount of money.... for a very small amount of money. Beyond that, it has the looks, the heritage, and most importantly, the driver connection that BMW knows so well.

The Car&Driver article on the Z said it felt a bit heavy in the corners, but otherwise performed well. That's problematic for me, as I put a very high premium on handling. Plus, I'm not totally sold on the front end of the 350Z, where the MINI just absolutely kills.

[mrsnetpro]

We too have been looking at the Mini S and the Z. The insurance on the Mini is approx. $850 vs $960 (performance model w/side air bags). That doesn't mean that is what it would wind up at, but it is an indication that it will not be outrageous.

[merc50]

Are you gonna drive the car everyday...that is a big factor for me. Im a typical beer belly kind of guy (opened the door for insults I see) and I found the mini just too small for me. Man its a neat little car, but like the new bugs I would think you would feel lost on the freeway everyday. I swear no one could see my buddies Miata on the road because of the size and the fact that no one pays attention to what they are doing.

I know if it was me I would lean towards the Z for a daily car, probably more practical.

If that is not a concern and the Mini is a toy...that gets tougher. The old minis to me were fun to watch race and I can see the attaction, but its just not my thing.

Hmmm, looking over this I am not help...never mind.

[03_Z-to-be]

I've got both of them on order right now too. (03 DS MCS w/ Perf. Pckg vs. 03 CS w/ Charcoal Performance 350Z).

All the reviews about the slow-to-accelerate-Mini had me spooked so I jumped on the 350 list as well. It'll all come down to test drive, in which I'm pretty sure the 350 will demolish the Mini; cornering or no cornering.

[350z4me]

Well they are both realy nice cars and they both have good and bad points like u said the mini has no spare tire, well the Z happens to have a spare tire but no glove box. I would go with the Z mainly because if u pulled up in your mini (if you get one) and if i had a Z the Z would blow the mini away corners or no corners. I think the Mini is a great car but if a Z blows by you in a Mini will you wonder why you didnt buy a Z. If you dont think u would wonder then maybe you should get the Mini. No matter what they both nice car I would look at it as a win either way.

[tomlong]

My wife sells Mini's and the Cooper S is an awesome car it turns as if it was on rails and cruises very well at 90+; however I am ordering the 350Z or I have even considered the new G35 coupe because I think the rearend looks better. For the price of the Mini you will be hard pressed to find a car that cool, but if you can spend the extra money I believe the Z track or touring model is more likely to satisfy the male ego.

Why?
The Mini is a neat looking car, but the Z looks like a supercar.

The Mini is quick and handles well, but if you know anything about the aftermarket import scene you should no that sport compact car tested the Z and found that with a suspension thrown together rather quickly by Gound Control changed the skidpad performance from .88g to .98g. Imagine what they will come up with a year down the road.

Mini will also have aftermarket parts available in the future which will improve performance, but I have a picture in my head of my Z with 500+ horsepower and 1.0+g skidpad performance.

Whichever route you choose to take I know that you will enjoy your automobile and hope that you do not regret the decision after its made. Are you married? If you are BUY BOTH!

[Stangduo]

I would do the Z. I like the looks better, in my opinion. Either way good luck.

[dbiggss]

350Z all the way.