Fiesta ST vs MC vs Swift

They still make Fiestas? I thought the world was rid of those things.

Wow, Ford makes a realy fast Fiesta Sanitary Towel! Rather unfortunate name for a good car.

Call me a snob but does anybody really care about comparing three cars with the collective power of a sewing machine? Personally I wish MINI would only make the MCS and JCW with their respective convertibles. The base car being under $20k gives the impression of a cheap economy car robbing the other two models of the coolness and exclusive factor that any BMW should have. If you can’t afford an S then go get a Ford or GM crackerbox and save your money until you can. Lowering the bar is wimpy. Ok, bring on the hate mail.

Sorry Steve. So, what year is your Chevette anyway?

And GZ I happen to own both a Cooper and a Cooper S and your comments are the most imbecile and idiotic I have read in a long time.

Go back to your Camaro crackerbox.

And BTW, GZ, none of the MINI’s in the range are cheap. Cheap implies, crude, bad quality etc (Which doesn’t fit). There are, like I said less expensive options. I think you need to take your blinkers off and realise that the Cooper S, which is a great car, isn’t the bee-all and end-all of what MINI has to offer. Try a Cooper (or One if your in Europe) before you ridicule.

Don’t forget the MINI is looked at and marketed a little differently in Europe & other countries. It’s easy to see things through our America-centric glasses and make judgements that don’t apply to all markets. To each his own.

I do consider the Bentley a VW, just as I consider Rolls Royce a BMW, and Jaguar a Ford.

MINI is owned by BMW, designed by BMW, and its factory was built by BMW. As to MINI cheapening the brand, BMW reputation was built on the BMW 2002, and the MINI is the closest car they have to it today. It was affordable, but more expensive then similar sized cars, but the performance made it worth it. Sounds alot like our MINIs. More and more MINIs show up at BMW CCA events each year, and these are not new members, but long time BMW loyalists, that feel as I do, that BMWs have grown to big and heavy to be truly fun.

The only reason BMW kept MINI when the sold the rest of Rover, was for an entry into the front wheel drive market. As much as I love my MINI, and would have been mourning the death of BMW if it was badged a BMW. BMWs are rear wheel drive with the occasional rear drive biased AWD.

I own a GP (modded S before), but have always been suprised at the pefromace of a base Cooper when I drive one. Not everyone needs to go that fast.

Erik Rutberg 2007 550i Sport (shared company car or it would be an M5) 2006 MINI GP 2004 325xiT 1997 318ti/Dinan3, supercharged 1988 M5 1985 735iA, currently on life support 1973 2002

GZ, so then don’t come here issuing dumb comments that have no substance and expecting not to get flamed for them.

call me a snob but does anybody really care about a cayman s? personally i wish porsche would only make the 911 and 911 awd with their respective convertibles. the cayman s being under $70k gives the impression of a cheap economy car robbing the other two models of the coolness and exclusive factor that any porsche should have. if you can’t afford a 911 then go get a ford or gm crackerbox and save your money until you can. lowering the bar is wimpy. don’t bring on the hate mail.

Ok my lame whiney friends. For the record I sold my ’05 JCW this summer and will pick up another in fall ’07. I therefore feel more than qualified to comment on Minis and respond to your pathetic whimpering when someone does’t share your opinions.

Frank, clever retort. I’m sure your promotion at Wendy’s is eminent.

Banjoez. Lexota? You wish.

Ichor. MSRP on Porsche was $73,000. Dream on.

Lexota, love it!

$73K for a Cayman S? I have a bridge to sell you..

How’s that old song go? “Lord it’s Hard to be Humble”?

I’m glad that some folks can afford a Lexus and a Porsche and all these wonderful status cars and can look down upon all us poor simple folk that can only afford an economy car like the MINI. But back on topic….

Have any of our European friends here had the opportunity to drive the Swift? It sounds like a pretty good little car from everything I’ve read.

My wife had a ~89 Fiesta when we met in Italy. Much higher quality then the US’s junk, it was geared nicely and handled pretty well. I wish the Cooper would be compared with the sub $20K cars more often. Last year consumer reports put it in the sports cars (where it should also be) but not the small cars. It faired ok in the sports cars but would had been among (if not) the best of the small cars. The Cooper I beleived is the best worldwide seller among MINIs since Europeans have to balance sportiness with frugalness.

The non S or non T share a huge portion of content with the faster models – not to be confused with ‘upscale’ models as was missed in a thread far above; driving a car with a horsepower deficit on a track will make one a faster driver a lost faster than a car with lots of horsepower. Horse power has a way of making up for driving talent. There is a argument for the non S or non T as momentum cars.

…I never thought ownership of anything Porsche or Ferrari or any other make guaranteed driving talent, class, or righteousness.

I love both my ‘base’ Cooper and my S, and am glad MINI makes both models.

Is the Fiesta available in the states?