VW GTI versus MINI or Alternative? What say you!
VW GTI versus MINI or Alternative? What say you!
Classic or current?
In reply to paranoid_android74:
Current, 2014 or newer
I've driven both. The MINI is Pinkie Pie, the GTI is Iron Man.
The JCW MINI slots in between a regular and performance package GTI on the track.
The MINI I had really loved 800 dollar repairs. It was a turbo S version. Also fairly squeaky and noisy. Changing to the Koni Gold shocks did help quite a bit on bad pavement, but the GTI I test drove was much quieter and smoother.
Do you want to get punched in the right eye or the left eye? Either way, it's going to hurt.
The GTI will be a better daily driver, most likely, especially if you have to take other people or stuff with you. I vote GTI and extended warranty.
In reply to pirate:
We have both: 2 dr 15 Mini Cooper S (SWMBO's) and 4 dr 15 VW GTI S w/PP (rocketrich's). I like both alot. The Mini is geared lower and feels like it has more torque everywhere. There is grunt at very low rpm and its quite satisfying to drive (GTI - not so much grunt down low in rpm band). Mini is pretty quick and the interior is a little more cramped. Its still very nice and a blast to drive. SWMBO got the JCW interior/trim and its really nice. Amazingly, this model year can actually put two adults in the back seat!
The GTI has taller gearing and feels a little sluggish at low rpm, but is a monster above 3,500 rpm. I prefer the GTI because it has more room (ie more roomy for the driver). The GTI is a quiet comfortable ride and really scoots when you need it to. Both have "hand of God" brakes - amazing braking performance. Definitely more space for hauling as its just a bigger hatch.
Both get very respectable gas mileage. I don't think you could go wrong with either. Caveat: I do all my maintenance.
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