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I was going to say the same thing. Awesome car. It's planted, powerful (faster than all the 911s in my "sold" line), has a great shifter, and is a blast to drive. Unfortunately it's my wife's so I rarely get to drive it.
Originally Posted by michaelo
Golf R- if you don't mind your right knee hitting constantly against the hard center console and the excessive seat bolstering holding you in like a prison. No thank you.
I'm 6'3" 170 and fit just fine. Like most German cars I've driven, the VW driver's seat is capable of going much further back than even I need it to.
I went from a 2009 cooper S convertible to a '15 911. Hard to compare the two as I was so happy that I finally got my dream car, a 911. But I often thought about the mini. The "going fast in a slow car" mantra holds true. The mini's manual shift was a joy. The car was light and a joy to toss around corners. You could really wring out the engine on your daily drive, which was hard to do even with the base 911. 911 felt slow in low RPM from stand still and became a beast at higher revs. The 911 was a bit more boring as you could not drive it at the limit on a daily basis. With the mini I could. I loved the SUV slalom on my commute in the mini. So I felt that the mini invited more to drive like a hooligan. I had the transmission of the mini replaced at 15k miles and under warranty. Many small issue with the car, but covered by Mini warranty. My 911 was cheaper to own (low depreciation as I bought used) and no issues except standard maintenance. I'm driving a C7 now and would take that over a mini any time of the day, it combines the low end grunt, hooligan inviting driving mode with and awesome engine sound. The rear end hangs out often, grip and steering precision are not as good as mini or 911. Other thing I'm missing is headroom in the vette. Great in both the mini and 911 and too limited in the vette.
So in summary, I like the mini a lot, would buy a vette again when on a mini-budget. But would sell my vette any day to get back into a 911. 911 is my dream car, the mini was a fun small car to drive.
Thoughts on the C7 as compared to the 911? I just came from a C7 z51 to a 2017 911 C2S. Thought I would miss the V8 torque but I don’t. I personally like the 911 better in every way......and I loved my C7. I will either order a new 992 or ME C8. Waiting like everyone to check it out. My wife has already predicted that I will decide on the 911. BTW....that’s the one she also favors. Just curious......thanks.
I also had a C-7. Made a big mistake and traded for an MB SL. It was a great car but boring. I have put 3k miles on my GTS Cab since the first of Dec. and I have loved every minute. Can’t wait to get it back to Ohio and some great roads.
I had a C7 Stingray and while it was not bad it was not even close compared to the 991.2, in regards to everything.
I have made the mistake to make the very same comment on the C7 forum I still participate on..... not well received by some of the old guard for some reason😏
One thing: a Mini can be pushed much harder, and closer to its max, and stay within (or close to) legal limits. Push a 991 that hard and better hope no cops are watching.
Don’t get how having less performance is more fun simply because you can push the gas pedal closer to the floor. I sure know my 1974 4 cylinder Vega with a 4 spd manual was a piece of junk compared to my 911 and not fractionally as much fun for ANY reason. Interesting stuff.
We had an 08 mini Cooper non S. At the time it was one of the few small cars with an upscale interior. Without the sport suspension it rode decent and was fun to drive. No run flats. Over time it developed a lot of squeaks and rattles, but was reliable for 10 years.
We replaced it with a '18 VW Golf GTI. MUCH faster, quieter, better tech. Cheaper to run even though it gets less mpg, because you can burn regular instead of premium. Interior quality is quite high, in fact, it is better than
the 991 in many areas. Cloth seats with deviated stitching at no charge. Porsche would charge $15,000 for pepita seats with deviated stitching! The GTI has Android auto, low cost optional auto dimming mirror, Q phone charger. 6 speed shifts smoothly and the car is fun to drive.
It's not as fast but it can haul a bunch with the rear seat folded down. I just wish you could still buy a 2 door golf in the USA.
I'd recommend a GTI over a mini, as the prices of minis are too high for what you get.
Wow, thanks for all the great replies. In answer to a question, the Mini might could be (as they say in Tennessee) in addition to the 991.2 C2, which is a terrific car...so terrific it makes me feel guilty for having it! ;-)
Have a MC40 along with my 76 RS, both lots of fun and both real lookers.
I had an MC 40 (#565) that I loved, but my 911 is a car I've wanted for 35 years. I pinch myself every time I get behind the wheel, so to me as much as I loved the mini, it would be 911 every time.
I had an ‘11 VW TDI sportwagen I absolutely loved. It was an all in one car for me. Used it like a truck with rear seat bases out and back folded and handled quite well for what it was and was reasonably quick with all the TDI torque.
Thought about a mini, I drove the original when it came out and an early S. Looked at a countryman when they came out. I found the Golf platform was much better feeling and substantial.
Thinking about adding another driver car to thr stable (been dailying my taco which is great but slow with the 159hp four banger), looked at the four door mini but came to the conclusion I should get another VW even though I don’t love the 1.8 or 2.0 turbo 4 like I did the TDI. Probably going to get, if I get anything, a Golf sportwagen 1.8 6MT 4motion. They can be had for a really good deal (sticker is low and heavy discounts available so like half a golf R which I also looked at and 50% less than a GTI rabbit and the rabbit is only FWD). My only hang up is I don’t love the colors (night blue metallic over black would be my choice) and I am not sure the 1.8T will last as long as I would like.
That’s a great question. I actually have both: a 911T and a Mini Cooper. The Mini is a fantastic car and super well built. To this day (mine is a 2011), it has the most satisfying “thunk” every time you open and close the doors. Really solid car. I switch between the 911 and the mini depending on my mood, where I’m going and how lazy I’m feeling that day about driving an MT (my 911).
Don’t get how having less performance is more fun simply because you can push the gas pedal closer to the floor. I sure know my 1974 4 cylinder Vega with a 4 spd manual was a piece of junk compared to my 911 and not fractionally as much fun for ANY reason. Interesting stuff.
Because it requires more skill by planning ahead and making fewer errors.
03-25-2019, 08:06 PM
