Comments on: Fiesta ST vs MC vs Swift

By: GZ

GZ — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 23:04:24 +0000

Is the Fiesta available in the states?

By: dz

dz — Tue, 12 Dec 2006 23:06:39 +0000

Wow, it is truly amusing to read about the Fiesta and the Swift in this context since we haven't really seen them here in the US for awhile, and they weren't necessarily considered anything close to sporty! It's refreshing to know that there are people out there who value the fun and frugality of these cars, and have enough character to realize that they are not defined by the vehicle they drive.

I happily drive the "cheap" base MINI Cooper, dragging down the "coolness" quotient for those who have more money than me. It's sad that some people actually believe their vehicles mean more than their character.

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 12 Dec 2006 02:53:03 +0000

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

By: GZ

GZ — Mon, 11 Dec 2006 22:06:54 +0000

Just coolness.

By: meb

meb — Mon, 11 Dec 2006 19:06:48 +0000

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.

By: Mark

Mark — Mon, 11 Dec 2006 18:06:34 +0000

It’s more fun to drive a slow car fast, than it is to drive a fast car slow. ’nuff said

By: Gabe

Gabe — Sat, 09 Dec 2006 04:37:32 +0000

DB is way too nice... if this was my post I would have closed it by now. The fact that he has given you lee-way here is a good opportunity to show some maturity and end this pointless (and mean-spirited) discussion in an adult manner.

And I remind you, that derogatory comments of ANY kind will not be tolerated on MotoringFile. Don't be surprised if current and past posts start to dissapear. If this continues posts won't be the only thing that goes away.

By: GZ

GZ — Sat, 09 Dec 2006 02:17:04 +0000

Oh contrare Banjoez! I LOVE Minis and cannot wait to get another one. I miss mine more than I can say and even though I've had my heart set on the JCW covertible I will grab a JCW coupe next year until '09 because I can't wait. I would never look down on Cooper or those who drive them (ok, even the base model).

I offer an olive branch to ALL my Mini brothers and sisters. It's Christmas time people!

By: Crusoe

Crusoe — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 23:33:58 +0000

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.

By: DB

DB — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 23:00:51 +0000

Ok ok ok. Now you made db jump in and comment.

There are currently comments stuck in moderation. They will be remaining there until I say otherwise.

If this continues, I'll close comments for this post for a week and make you take this offline.

There are some great comments here that are productive. Lets get back on track gang! Come on, I know you can do it! :~)

By: banjoez

banjoez — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 20:51:21 +0000

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.

By: GZ

GZ — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 19:43:03 +0000

Yawn. For anyone out there who can read check out Winding Road.com and check out the article titled “Sport Coupe Dream Drive” for an unbiased opinion on the Cayman S. Of course Road and Track just called it the sports car of the decade. Not bad for a “cheap copycat”.

By: FrankInMiami

FrankInMiami — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 18:48:40 +0000

Lexota, love it!

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

By: FrankInMiami

FrankInMiami — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 18:47:23 +0000

GZ, are you overcompensating for something?

I could care less about your wealth and what ever meaningless materialistic/ellitist rants.

Wendy's? Anytime baby! I am the CEO already.

By: GZ

GZ — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 18:41:28 +0000

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.

By: FrankInMiami

FrankInMiami — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 18:41:13 +0000

Cayman = I could not afford the real Porsche, i.e 911.

Lexus IS350 = I could not afford the real BMW 330i or even M3

Cheap copycats, that's for sure.

By: ichor

ichor — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 18:10:00 +0000

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 canÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢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.

By: banjoez

banjoez — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 17:57:17 +0000

"Actually Frank, thereÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢s a Cayman S and a Lexus 350 IS in my garage."

Advice from someone who doesn't own a MINI?

"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."

My cheap, economy MCC is pretty cool, very fun to drive and pretty exclusive where I live. I rarely see perfect strangers come up to Lexus owners to inquire about their cars. I do see lots of Lexotas that all look alike on the road though. And by the way, a MINI is not meant to be an "exclusive" BMW.

By: FrankInMiami

FrankInMiami — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 16:49:19 +0000

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

By: GZ

GZ — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 16:20:37 +0000

Actually Frank, there's a Cayman S and a Lexus 350 IS in my garage.

Too bad that someone offers an opinion that you and Steve disagree with we see derogatory (thought that wasn't tolerated Gabe)personal name calling (ignorant,imbecile,idiot?). Gabe it's a shame that MF standards have dropped to allow these comments on this site.

Phil dissagreed with me and stated a thoughtful and polite counter opinion. Just because I feel the Cooper would be better served as an upscale vehicle verses an alternative to a Dodge Dart doesn't mean my opinion shouldn't be offered. I'm sure there are those who agree with me and those who don't. Fine. Respond with respect.

Apparently my feeling that the base model lacks class has been illustrated by a pair of it's owners.