Mini John Cooper Works GP

[Gulf GT]

Wow, test drove the Mini John Cooper Works GP today. That thing is the most fun I've had in a car on the street in a long time. Sometimes I feel I've owned cars where 90% of the time I am thinking about the idea of what I have and driving it 10% of the time to its abilities if I'm lucky. Well this car turns that equation on its head. Has a small bit of a turbo lag and build quality of all the interior bits is lacking, but it' a ton of fun to drive. You can take it by the scruff of the neck and wring it out on the street without having to wait for track days and risk your life in the process. Makes me wonder what else is out there like it. Very interesting car.

 

[Sinovac]

Great description of the Mini. They are tons of fun in everyday driving. We have our second JCW and I have just as much fun with it as my other cars. You are right about the crappy build quality. I am conditioned to make sacrifices for cars that I really enjoy, so I put up with it.

 

[Cobrar]

Try a new SVT Focus. Has a similar fun factor with good build quality.

 

[Sinovac]

Try a new SVT Focus. Has a similar fun factor with good build quality.

I really like the Focus ST and will be getting one for my daughter. It just doesn't have the same fun factor as the Mini. It is more grown up and much larger. It is the better all around car though, no question. I think the new Fiesta ST is likely to be a better comparison to the Mini. I wish Ford would sell the three door here.

 

[Mike Mosing]

All true. My 2004 JCW Mini was my everyday driver and I could not part with it when I went to the ZR1 in 2011. It makes me smile every time I get back in it.

 

[Thugboat]

Guys,

I am with ya. My mini Cooper S. is a ball. People stare at you like your crazy when you tell them how fun it is. My wife thought I was out of my mind when I brought it home, BUT, has stolen it from me and just lets me drive it once in a while. Bigger than you think and faster than you think. My friend who runs the local SCCA Autocross events says to put sticky tires on it and show up and it will spank most cars there. My test drive consisted of the salesman taking me down the freeway service road, saying "Hold ON" and doing a 180 @ 45-50 moh under the freeway and heading the other way. I was sold.

Larry

 

[nota4re]

I agree with all of the comments made here. The JCW is definitely "one of those cars". I opted for the Focus ST for similar (selfish fun factor) reasons and it is my daily driver. At this point in life, a 5-series BMW, M3, CTS-V, C63 are arguably all within reach as a daily driver - but none would give me the same smile as the ST does. Sure, the ST has virtually nothing in the "look how successful I am" category, but it is just so damn engaging to drive. Several years ago, my dd was an STi. A great car too but the ST and the JCW are simultaneously a lot more refined when needed. With the ST, I can roll up the windows, turn on the AC and use the bluetooth for a conference call without a problem. Same with a 4-hour plus drive to Vegas in absolute comfort, no problem. But, for me 90% of the time in SoCal, it's windows down, AC off, and rowing through the nice 6-speed gearbox. As my license plate reads, "Giddy Up"!

 

[Gulf GT]

I looked at the Focus ST and would prefer it, but the dynamics just aren't there by comparison. Having 5 doors a a few hundred pounds heavier puts it at a disadvantage. Fiesta ST would be interesting if souped up...

I keep picturing a "Gulf Livery" Mini JCW with orange wheels and an aftermarket exhaust parked next to my Heritage GT in the garage.

 

[MDT]

The Audi TT-RS is amazing. Not sure I will be able to sell it, I love it so much. Very light, very fast, very well built, plus with the 4 wheel drive it allows me to have more confidence on mountain roads.

 

[Sinovac]

I keep picturing a "Gulf Livery" Mini JCW with orange wheels and an aftermarket exhaust parked next to my Heritage GT in the garage.

The Mini looks great in British Racing Green with white racing stripes. I tried to get my wife to spec a hardtop JCW that way but she insisted on a pepper white convertible. Once I knew she had to have a white convertible, I tried to order a base car to save money. She promptly told me to stick it and ordered a JCW. That's my girl.

 

[nota4re]

I looked at the Focus ST and would prefer it, but the dynamics just aren't there by comparison.

Did you drive it?


Not trying to make this a Mini vs Focus ST comparison as I think the pure German quality of the Mini and consequently slightly higher price tag may give it the nod in an overall shoot-out. That said, the ST has topped the econo-box class-leading VW GTi in a couple of the automotive mag tests and some are calling the ST simply the best handling FWD car ever made. Ahhh, maybe I'm in the minority though because for whatever reason I think ST sales are slow as I rarely see others when I'm out and about.

 

[SYCO GT]

I'd possibly have purchased a new GP if the pricing weren't so high, relative to other vehicles within it's class.

Had great fun with my '06 DINAN MINI Cooper S.

 

[Kayvan]

Is GP the mini with no back seat and red strut bar?

 

[Sinovac]

Is GP the mini with no back seat and red strut bar?

Yes

 

[Gulf GT]

Yep drove it last week, the Ford is great car, and I still haven't made up my mind what I am going to get, but I have decided to get something small to "drive" on the street in addtion to owning a "supercar". Other cars I have yet to drive are the Subaru BRZ, Scion FRS, BMW 1M, and a couple others. Many of these cars require some tuning but they can allow you to exact real fun driving on normal roads so I have been told. I'm even going to try a Mazda MX5 as that is supposed to be great fun and there are lots of kits to soup it up for the street and not get hurt. I just want to go back to feeling driving dynamics on a daily basis on normal roads at near normal speeds.

 

[Sinovac]

i really wanted to like the FRS and MX5 since they are right wheel drive, but they felt gutless. They would be really neat with about 220hp.

 

[SYCO GT]

Other cars I have yet to drive are the Subaru BRZ, Scion FRS, BMW 1M, and a couple others.

Can you find a 1M for sale? I saw a brand new one at Crevier quite some time ago, but they wanted a hefty premium for it, and someone bought it at that price.

 

[Gulf GT]

Can you find a 1M for sale? I saw a brand new one at Crevier quite some time ago, but they wanted a hefty premium for it, and someone bought it at that price.

I've seen two for sale around the country, and they are holding their values and will go up. There is a whole big cult following around that car. Chris Harris along with several other EVO Magazine folks loved it and wanted to take it home to keep. The dynamics are supposed to be quite sublime. It came in 3rd in the 2011 Car of Year beating the Aventador, Elise Club Racer, Cayman R, etc.; lost out to the MP4-12C and 4.0 GT3. Remember they are grading not the fastest or presttiest car, but the best overall driver's car. Very impressive.

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/

 

[Gulf GT]

i really wanted to like the FRS and MX5 since they are right wheel drive, but they felt gutless. They would be really neat with about 220hp.

That's pretty much the consensus, and there is already tons of aftermarket stuff for them to boost that HP to the right levels. Just saw this video last night by Chris Harris about the FR-S, he freaking loves it and as usual gives the best car evaluations in the business. Nobody I've heard or seen can drive a car and explain it better. You may remember the video Dave posted here of him attacking the Ring in a Lexus LFA Ring Edition. For some time I have been saying that I can't really "drive" my GT on a daily basis and here in the video he mentions the same issue. I think the trick would be to pump just a little more HP in but to too much and don't put fat tires on it so it will still move around at slow speeds. Oh, and when you're shopping for it, tell the salesman you looking for a car for your son.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUhLXvxlQR4

 

[Gulf GT]

The Audi TT-RS is amazing. Not sure I will be able to sell it, I love it so much. Very light, very fast, very well built, plus with the 4 wheel drive it allows me to have more confidence on mountain roads.

Saw one at the gas station last night. A woman in her mid-50's was driving it and another guy was exchanging phone numbers with her, smart guy. I'm going to drive it too.