I know, I know its a compare thread between 2 cars, and probably the out come might have some favorism. But say you could pick between a 06 Mini Cooper S or ITR.

The mini cooper would have:
Harman Kardon audio- 8 speakers
Leather interior with cloth inserts
Limited slip
Premium package which I'm debating on(-On board PC, Moonroof, multifunction steering wheel, auto AC)
Sport Package (DSC, Hoodstripes, HID's with power washers, Front fogs, and ugly 17inch wheels which I'd probably sell for some 17x7 or 16x6.5 Rota's anyway)

I've thought about a new WRX, used STi, or Evo, as well as a newer E36 M3-98/99. Evo interiors, fit and finish of the car, paint, reliablity, and engine soundness (loud lifter tapping sounded like a diesel sort of).... didn't cut it for me.
used STi for under 25,000 I'm still thinking of, or new WRX, or newer E36 which I'm sure when maintainence comes around would bite me in the ***.

I've gotten to toss around a SRT4 in a parking lot, Integra GSR, WRX, and cooper. Cooper and Integra felt planted to more of my driving habits.

I took care of a friend's WRX for some time and its interior was just after sitting in a cooper. With the WRX's shaking dashboard, flimsy interior materials and the worn and torn carpet for a car with only 16,000 miles and with the AC on the engine was sorta on ashma mode. I'm not sure about the 2.5 since it has more torque though. But I sat in a new 05 WRX sometime ago and car was a lot better interior-wise.

The SRT 4 was ok mechanically but design wise . The interior made me feel like I was in a rubbermaid container , with the A/C on the car wasn't really hesitaing. Car did understeer a bit... But SRT wasn't me..

My friend with the Cooper is the one who got me into photography. He's getting a new 06 John Cooper Works MCS. So I should be able to toss that around as well in a few months. When did several track days (on Parada spec 2 tires) with his MC even though that car was underpowered it handeled incredibly well and passing a E36 M3 in a turn was just ..

Then to the integra I know I'm sorta comparing a GSR to an ITR here... even after 8 years my other friends 97 GSR was stil in awesome condition .. No rattles. tares, and seats still look in condition. Paint wasn't thin like a WRX or evo either.

What ever I get in the up comming months needs to be in one sound piece for about 8 years, with monthly autocrossing, taking it to one HDPE event a year ect...

So I guess its come down to ITR, WRX(new), Used STi, or Mini Cooper S...

may look at a (E46)330ci, 98/99 E36 M3 ,Mazda Speed Protege, or used RX8.
new civic seems appealing as well.

 

I used to own an R and now I own a GSR. The R is a lot more "raw", less refined than the GSR. I loved the R for what it was and the noise didn't bug me, but it might bug others.

 

the minicooper S is also a great platform, very nimble and lots of fun on the track.

only thing going against it (and its real minor imo) is the appearance of a smaller wheel base.

but you cant go wrong either way.

no matter which platform you choose, expect something to break within 8 years with some autoX and HPDE events.

 

Stay away from the WRX.........just stay away. I've had more maintenance troubles than you can imagine in only 6 months of ownership....which is why it's for sale. Now if you buy the NEW WRX, i would say its a good choice (still not as good as the ITR or MCS), but a good choise mainly because you don't have to worry about the person before you beating the hell out of it. But of course you still have the issue with the "glass" clutch and tranny. STi seems to be built a little bit stronger, but i still wouldn't buy one unless you need 4 doors or AWD.

Given the fact that the ITRs often get stolen, and their unusually high insurance rates. i would go with the MCS. And it seems that the Mini will pose quite a threat to the ITRs in D-stock next year on the autox course.

MCS

 

I don't mind noise ,raw feeling= , but I'm not sure how the insurance company would take upon the R even if it were under my 48 year old dad or 45 year old mom's names. Both with 0 accidents/claims for over 20 years

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by chris1866 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Stay away from the WRX.........just stay away. I've had more maintenance troubles than you can imagine in only 6 months of ownership....which is why it's for sale. Now if you buy the NEW WRX, i would say its a good choice (still not as good as the ITR or MCS), but a good choise mainly because you don't have to worry about the person before you beating the hell out of it. But of course you still have the issue with the "glass" clutch and tranny. STi seems to be built a little bit stronger, but i still wouldn't buy one unless you need 4 doors or AWD.

Given the fact that the ITRs often get stolen, and their unusually high insurance rates. i would go with the MCS. And it seems that the Mini will pose quite a threat to the ITRs in D-stock next year on the autox course.

MCS

</TD></TR></TABLE>

It really isn't a Glass tranny issue with the WRX.. Just slip instead of dumping and the tranny will like you. Also the 06 pig nose WRX has the new Legacy GT/FXT 5MT. But the chance of the ITR getting stolen is sorta 30% in my area, because the car will only be used for autoX/track/ bit of daily driving when ever I decide to drive to school in it but I'm figuring when I go to college that variable will increase so the R is garaged at home while I'll get a EF/EG to drive to UCLA/USC from home. And when ever my dad decides to drive to his job(BE aerospace) which requires a pass to drive in and out with valid workers ID...

 

"Stay away from the WRX.........just stay away. I've had more maintenance troubles than you can imagine in only 6 months of ownership....which is why it's for sale. Now if you buy the NEW WRX, i would say its a good choice (still not as good as the ITR or MCS), but a good choise mainly because you don't have to worry about the person before you beating the hell out of it. But of course you still have the issue with the "glass" clutch and tranny. STi seems to be built a little bit stronger, but i still wouldn't buy one unless you need 4 doors or AWD."

The scooby does not have a glass tranny. It's no Honda mind you but it's not glass. I have owned 2 WRX's and they both have served me very well. I raced the hell out of my 02 and it was fine. I never had any maintenance problems with either of my scooby's.

Buy the MCS, the ITR insurance is insane. I'm 34, live in a safe area of PA and have a clean driving record. The car's will be competitive and you don't need the worry of your car being stolen.

That said, I'm looking at the 330i and new WRX right now for DS next year. No decisions until after nationals though.

Dave

 

The MCS or ITR will probably be easiest to learn w/ and do somewhat well at the same time. SRT4's have a great motor/drivetrain combo, but the stock suspension is what holds it back, they are not doing all that well in their class.

 

Even for the SRT4 ACR if you auto X it expect for your neon to have missing lugs or snapped studs..

Jay J who is now worried that the MCS will be put in DS and the 06 wrx will kill it

 

I would go with the MCS even though I have a ITR, just because it is a great little car that responds well to mods, has cheaper insurance, and a lot lower theft.

 

if the fear of theft isnt a broblem for u i would go with the ITR. if it is going to be a problem then get the MCS. forget the wrx and the srt4 shouldnt even be on the list or in your thoughts.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by clayton bigsby &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">if the fear of theft isnt a broblem for u i would go with the ITR. if it is going to be a problem then get the MCS. forget the wrx and the srt4 shouldnt even be on the list or in your thoughts.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Theft=problem when I got to college, whcih is the but only when parked on the school lot for school hours, after that= home

 

The only thing I really have against the MCS is the fact that if you break anything mechanical, you pretty much have to disassemble the entire front section of the car to fix it.

 

It is unlikely that the new '06 WRX will be competitive in DS.
Even with the new engine, the power increase really isn't that much (hp or torque). It already has plenty of power, it's the suspension and weight that's the problem.....neither which are improved upon in '06.

Unless the WRX gets a complete overhaul (which it is not for '06), it will not be enough to win DS. The ITR, MCS (if it gets moved), and even the MS Protege, will be faster on the autox course.

 

But the WRX now has little/no turbo lag, as well as 17's from the factory as well as the 300zx/Subaru 4 pot front/ 2 pot rear brakes

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Jay J &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">But the WRX now has little/no turbo lag, as well as 17's from the factory as well as the 300zx/Subaru 4 pot front/ 2 pot rear brakes </TD></TR></TABLE>

Even so, nothing is done about it's weight or it's chronic understeering problem.

 

over inflate the rear tires so it roates