Any S2000 owners also have a Mini Cooper S as their daily. I just bought a 02 Mini Cooper S to daily drive. So far I have really enjoyed the Mini. Great gas mileage and fun to drive. Decent torque makes for a pleasant daily driver.Interested to hear the thoughts of others that have both an S2K and Mini S.

 

My first thought was, why have have an "impractical" car for a daily on the side, besides the gas mileage...but maybe that's just me talking from a new dad perspective lol. I just think it's funny when people have an S and another small car for a daily...shouldn't you want your daily to be something to stretch your legs in and maybe even have room to move parts/tires in?

I'm sure the MINI is a great car though, I'm just thinking out loud

 

There are two things that I don't mind about both my cars being small:
1. I am not a big guy. 5-10, 175 pounds. I don't require a lot of room.
2. Smaller cars are far easier to maneuver in traffic.

 

I have a 2007 MCS daily driver. It's amazing to drive - Best handling FWD car I've ever driven (and yes, I've driven an ITR too.) I don't get great fuel economy though (23mpg avg city mostly).

Mine is currently set up for D Stock autoX. I have the JCW tuning kit (+10% more power), the JCW suspension conversion over custom double adjustable Konis, a straight pipe after the cat (no resonators or mufflers), and a blade style rear sway bar. (This is all legal for the SCCA Solo2 "Stock" class for some reason, believe it or not )

Andrew

 

The Mini is as practical a car as I need. It's comfortable fun to drive and good on gas. Above all its fun to drive! I have a 1986 Chevy S10 357 V8 Tremec TKO500 5 speed as a parts hauler.

 

Coopers can actually fit a decent amount of stuff, easily a set of 4 wheels/tires and all the stuff you need for a track day. They get good MPG, are roomy enough unless you're 6'2"+.

 

I know people that DD Cooper Ss - they love them. Good mpg and fun to take driving.

I will probably consider a used Countryman when the prices drop - good mpg, fun to drive, and four doors.

 

I have both.....or had both. Just sold my S last weekend.

MINI JCW is a blast. Especially with the ALTA Accessport - extra 30-40/whp and tq. I'm 6' tall and it has plenty of room plus it really does fit tons of stuff. The wife and I went camping in it 3 weekends ago and fit full size cooler plus all camping gear. Really fun and practical car. Only thing I'm worried about is the reliability as it gets older....

 

I seriously thought about getting one as DD but read way too many stories about unreliability. Decided to get a Civic Si instead. Much more reliable.

 

lol my high mileage 09 has been worry free, I love it when people skip out on awesome cars because of what they read on the internet, not realising the thousands of other people that report no problems and love their MCS.