As some of you may or may not know I'm getting out of my Crossfire, I've started the ball rollin' already. I wish I could've gotten someone to buy the car out right but that hasn't worked out too well so sometime next week I'll be dropping the car off at the local Chrysler dealership, along with a pretty big check. My time in the Crossfire was great but now is the time as I really shouldn't have gotten the car in the first place. Now don't get me wrong, I've enjoyed the car and its done everything I've asked of it, but I just don't feel that "connection" to it as I'm not passionate about. I feel that I've been driving someone else's car that I just "really like alot" and not just because I'm leasing either.

Anyways the deal with the EVO had me stretched out too far so I'm looking at (2) cars right now, the 2007 Mazdaspeed 6 and the new 2007 Mini Cooper S. I really want something I can drive year round w/o issue, so that's why these two come to mind, not to mention they both kick some serious ***. I'm going to initially lease one of these cars so I can "get my foot in the door" but more than likely I'll be buying it once the lease is up as I only know one way to take care of a car, lease or buy! I'm a major enthusiast and both cars have alot going for them. I like power and AWD so that's why I like the MS6, plus there's a pretty good aftermarket for it (imagine that) The Mini on the other hand, although not as powerful, more than makes up for that in the handling department and is VERY good on gas, something that must be taken into consideration in today environment. So, what do you guys think...

BTW the MS6 is going to be either the black Mica (metallic black) or that pearly red they have, sorry, can't remember the name right now. The Mini is going to be either the med/darker blue w/ white and black/blue two-tone interior or the classic BRG which isn't true BRG but is still a great color none the less. Both cars would have their stock rims changed out and the stockers will be covered in snow tires when the time comes. I really like mesh styled rims and both cars could have the ASA AR1's in silver or the ASA AR2's in the machine finish w/ anthracite accents. I'm also looking at the Enkei RPM's in hyper black, those are awesome and the above wheels cost no more than $180.00 per rims, pretty good deal IMO. Now, you've been given a full plate of options and wheels, have at it!

 

The MINI Cooper S is made by BMW and will hold its value really well. The car is a hoot to drive and has lots of unique features. See http://www.pistonheads.com/doc.asp?c=47&i=15503 BMW is expanding the model's range with new introductions in Europe and shows a real commitment to long term ownership and development, rather unlike the situation with the Crossfire. I had a Mazda 626 years ago; it was a pos, literally -- with windows that fell out, doors that fell off, and a turbo that blew up. Go with the MINI.

 

both great pics. i prefer the legacy gt over the mazdaspeed 6, but its a good car. the mini will have a huge aftermarket now that it has a turbo.

 

i biggest downside to the mazda 6 is the low rent interior plastics.

i'd go for the mini s.

 

you turbo'd a base 626? the mazda 6 and 626 are completely different cars.

 

I always thought the Mazda 3 had a very nice interior, best quality interior car in it's class, but I never checked out the Mazda 6.

 

It was a 1990 Mazda 626 GT Turbo 4-door Hatchback and was my wife's car. Came with a factory OEM turbo, and plenty of turbo lag, too. We kept it for about six years and about 70,000 miles but had body problems for the entire time. The engine was fine until the turbo blew up and couldn't be repaired, so we replaced it with an Audi A6 Avant for a few years and eventually with a 2006 Magnum R/T with the 5.7-liter 340 HP Hemi (I couldn't talk her into the SRT8). Now that's a great car for my wife, who does like to push it at times...

 

~ those cars were really cool ... but one torque steer monster... floor it & hang on tight to that steering wheel.

 

Well I took the Mini Cooper S for a test drive and I couldn't stop smiling the entire ride. When I came back I told the sales lady that she's got an easy job with this car as it sells itself. I'll be going in this Thursday to put down the deposit so the order can be put in for my car. It seems that A LOT of people are ordering the "S" w/ 6 spd, hmm, I wonder why. Its going to take anywhere from 45-60 days to get my car which is fine because spring should just about be here and once I get the car I can start treating the paint and not rely on whatever they prep the car with. As far as the aftermarket goes I'm sure there's going to be a HUGE one, but I don't think I'll be getting anything too soon. I will be adding a Magnaflow cat-back, CAI (probably through JCW), HKS BOV or one through JCW and other than that I'm good (I think ). This car is more about fun to drive rather than brute power and the above mentioned mods are just to "enhance" the driving experience and sound so damn good IMO, especially the HKS BOV and CAI, you've gotta be able to hear the turbo, right!

BTW, something I found out while I was there, the leatherette is available in black with carbon accents and is standard fair in the Cooper S, so there's no reason to spend the $1,500 on the leather seats. I'm also opting out of the premium package which mainly consists of that sunroof and auto a/c, but I could add the auto a/c separately. Removing the two options saves me almost $3,000...$3,000 that could go towards the Dinan/Brembo brakes for the car. That's a $2,850 dollar option that I'm going to consider or they even have a JCW brake package that has larger calipers and rotors and different linings for the rear, although I don't know what that package costs, its going to be less than the Dinan/Brembo package. The other thing is when fitting the car with the factory rims for the winter, will the Brembos even clear those wheels. If not, I'm sure the JCW brake package will and they even have slotted/cross-drilled rotors for $218, nice! I wanna make this thing really handle and stop even better, take a good thing and make it even better.

 

Aero,

If you don't mind could you provide us with the specs of the Cooper S and also how much it costs. Thanks.

 

I think it puts out about 190-200 hp to the flywheel, and it's really not a deal compared to the crossfire IMO. I think the cooper S is $28-$30k, very overpriced, I think your better off with the 250 hp Acura or Civic or dare I say an Evo, blah!

But it has a good aftermarket. I've heard there are engine upgrades that make 250-275 to the ground but they probably cost you $3-$4,000. So are you really getting your monies worth.

 

Comparison of Xfire, SRT6, and Mini Cooper S:

http://autos.msn.com/research/compar...98936&v=t98902

 

The new Mini Cooper S is now turbocharged and puts down 172 hp and 177 ft/lbs of torque and weighs under 2,700 lbs. It runs about a 15.1 in the quarter, but I don't know what the mph is so I don't know how "traction challenged" it is there but I do know its geared pretty high @ 3.64 but then again its getting almost 37 mpg highway and in the very high 20's in the city, so thats an acceptable trade-off IMO.

As far as the 250 hp Acura or Civic goes, which Acura are you speaking of? I do like the Civic Si alot, but the Mini is just a cool *** car, period! It does have that styling like the Crossfire in the terms of you know exactly what it is when you see it. Like I said before, I liked my Crossfire and but this is something I actually wanted 2 years ago, not something I jumped into and was more impressed than I thought I'd be. In other words I made a mistake with getting the Crossfire and will now correct it with something I REALLY want. I've always felt like the Crossfire was someone else's cool car that I got to drive for a long time, thats not a bad thing, just the way I feel. I'm never going to bash the car, EVER, because its done everything I've asked of it w/o a fuss, even returning better mpg, quicker quarter mile times and a load of fun on the Dragon the last 2 years I went down there. When I'm older and look back on the cars I've owned in the past the Crossfire will more than likely be the only sports car I've ever owned and I will be able to say it was a great time in the car while I was there.

Now, about the Mini being "over priced", well I guess that's your opinion and the only thing I can say to that is go test drive one and get back with me. Yes the car can go into the high 20's/low 30's optioned out (I think mine is about $27.5K) and can go into the mid 30's with the JCW package installed and dare I say $40K all the way out, but this is one thing you've gotta consider about this car...personalization! The base price is $23K and you can go mild to wild to ***** out, its up to you. Very few cars allow you to do this from the factory or even give you the canvas to do so, the Mini is one of those cars and is an icon BTW. Speaking of ICON, did you say EVO and BLAH in the same sentence.

 

Before I got my XF, the first car I looked at was the Mini. I test drove an '04 and an '05 and simply didn't like the feel. They were not any super sports model, but they just felt cheap and had no power.

I'm not saying they are a good/bad car, I'm just saying I didn't like how it 'felt'... cars should also feel like wearing clothing, imoho.

So, by all means.. test drive 'em all.

 

I had my Crossfire at the shop for some recall service and saw a torch red SRT-8 Charger. For $41k, that is one hell of a great car! 425 hp, brembos, 20" wheels standard and a host of other options, it is a great deal as well. I started doing some investigating and found that for 07' you can order a Charger R/T (with the 5.7L, 350 hp hemi) with AWD!. That's a competitor for the Audi A8 and Subaru Legacy GT. The best news.. its only $32k MSRP! WOW... I'm thinking it would be a great compliment to the Crossfire and my Crew Cab.

 

I'd like to make a correction here if you don't mind. The AWD Charger R/T is NO competitor to the A8 or the Legacy GT, but as far as price goes it competes with the Scooby, but NOT the A8! The one problem I have with DCX's AWD cars is the amount of wheel well gap, I mean its not a truck, so why does it have to sit like one. It would be a great car to go along with your Ram and Crossfire though, no doubt about it.


Now to the above guy who said the car had no power, did you drive the regular Cooper or the Cooper S.

 

just don't get the mini if you take long trips...your back will not be very happy after 3 hours!

 

The new Mini has a totally new engine designed by BMW and PSA Peugeot. According to the European press it is a big improvement compared to the previous BMW & DC engine (04-05's).

Aero Blue: Enjoy your new ride...

 

Speaking of MINIs. The MINI Traveler should be out in the near future. It should be very nice.

http://www.carpages.co.uk/mini/mini_...e_15_09_05.JPG

Also, there is a MINI SUV concept that looks really cool, can't seem to find a picture of it now though.

 

Did I hear you mention "wheel well gap" in an all wheel drive car?
Try these on for size.

http://www.amceaglenest.com/rotm.html