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Acura RSX vs. MINI - READ ONLY

12 messages,  Last post on Jan 11, 2005 at 9:25 AM

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What is this discussion about? Acura RSX, MINI Cooper

Messages Page 2 of 2

#5 of 12 Re: hpm [nippononly] by crunch

Nov 19, 2004 (3:37 pm)

Replying to: nippononly (Nov 19, 2004 12:53 pm)
All MINIs require premium gas and the road noise, I have found, varies depending on the tires. The run-flats are quite noisy, regular tires are much quieter and provide a smoother ride. Handling spans from great with the standard suspension and tires to fantastic with the sport suspension and sticky tires.
You'll pay MSRP or more for a MINI but it will be worth more later so you need to compare the discounts and depreciation to see which is really the better value. I don't think that the MINI mileage is all that great. Our MC gets about 26 around town and my MCS is closer to 22.
If you need power, then the MCS is base priced in the low 20s but can be optioned up to about (cough, cough) 40K !! with all the bells and whistles ( and a $6K tuning package). The base MCS is really a nice car for the price and can now be ordered with a 6 speed true automatic (no CVT) if not shifting is your thing.
The RSX Type-S (very nice car BTW) was in the group of cars that I was looking at but the MINI won my heart on the test drive.

#6 of 12 nippononly and crunch... by hpmctorque

Nov 20, 2004 (1:34 am)

Both of your comments were excellent - very detailed and precise! I wish others wrote so well.
 
Nippononly, your comments regarding the Mini square with my perceptions, but your comments concerning the tC, while not exactly surprising, altered my perceptions somewhat. On paper I'd choose the tC over the RSX, if only because I find it difficult to discount the value factor. However, your comments would lead me to assign more desireablity to the RSX than I would have before reading your
response, since you buy these cars more for the "fun-to-drive" factor than the "most car/most features for the money" factor. I was particularly surprised that you found the tC slower than the RSX, since its engine has 20% more displacement, and, thus, more torque. Apparently, that additional torque is more than offset by the tC's greater weight, and maybe other factors. They both have rather short gearing, to favor acceleration over maximum fuel economy. Your comments about the tC's handling versus the other two, but particularly in comparison to the RSX, were very significant.
 
I wonder whether Acura addressed the road noise issue in the revised '05 RSX. Too much road noise is certainly a deficiency, particularly since, while dimensionally compact, the RSX isn't an econobox.
 
Crunch, your comments confirm my perceptions about the Mini, and how it could be more emotionally compelling than the RSX, even though the RSX is arguably a better value. Your reasons for selecting the Mini(s)over the RSX sound similar to why nippononly would choose the RSX over the tC. It's also significant that you purchased two Minis, instead of a Mini and a RSX. Based on nippononly's comments and yours, the tC wouldn't be too appealing to you.
 
In my opinion the NA Mini should have been designed to run on regular, even if this would have reduced performance a little.
 
FWIW I've read that the next generation Mini will have a new engine.

#7 of 12 Re: nippononly and crunch... [hpmctorque] by crunch

Nov 20, 2004 (7:13 am)

Replying to: hpmctorque (Nov 20, 2004 1:34 am)
I've noticed that quite a few people are sensitive to the premium fuel issue. It isn't that big of a deal to me. For the amount of driving that I do, it's about $1.50 per week in additional expense. A larger, and almost always overlooked expense on the MCS is tire wear. The car begs for spirited driving, which consumes tires. 4 new runflats mounted and balanced = $700 and up depending on the brand. 4 new performance, non-runflats (yokos or Falken) $500+. This is about every 12 to 18 months, depending on your driving style. I'm sure that a frugal driver will beat this but most don't get the MCS to drive slowly.
 
As far as Toyota/Scion products go, I get the impression that all my local dealers are jerks. I once tried to get info on a Prius and was treated poorly so I've ruled out any of their products until they change or I move.
 
I have always been a Honda/Acura fan. If they would build a version of the Odyssey, I'm sure that the wife would be first in line. (She would still keep her MINI though).

#8 of 12 Premium fuel by hpmctorque

Nov 20, 2004 (12:35 pm)

You're right, the incremental cost of premium isn't great, but it's the idea that regular fuel is consistent with the fuel economy expectations of those who consider the NA Mini a well engineered, sporty economy ride.

#9 of 12 hpm by nippononly

Nov 28, 2004 (11:41 pm)

"Your comments about the tC's handling versus the other two, but particularly in comparison to the RSX, were very significant."
 
If you are an enthusiast driver, the tC is not in the same camp as the other two: heavy understeer and what I would call excessive body roll in cornering.
 
I was interested to note crunch's comments on tires. Extrapolating from the wear on my tires so far (mileage at almost 16K), I would guess these tires will go at least 50K. The downside is that the stock tire is pretty crappy, the worst Michelins I have ever owned. Traction is not good - they are too easy to break loose even on dry pavement. And they are noisy, as I noted above. I am hoping to eliminate some of this car's road noise by replacing the tires with something quieter when that time comes.
 
I see both of your points on the 87 versus 91 octane thing. With the amount of driving I do, I would pay about $10 more per month if my car required premium. Not much, I will concede. But certainly for a car like the base Cooper, which retails somewhere around $17K in its most basic form, I would not expect to have to ante up for premium, given the price range. I guess it's just the principle of the thing, since the $10 certainly wouldn't kill me. Now in a top of the line model, like Cooper S or RSX-S, it seems more consistent with the mission of the car to require premium.
 
Lastly, as to the depreciation thing, Acuras/Hondas hold their value best among the non-European set, and even though Minis sell for sticker and Acuras don't, I am confident that they will depreciate at about the same rate (I say that having NOT researched how well Minis hold their value, but I imagine it is really well, given the cult attractiveness of the car and the fact that they are fairly rare). But you are right, hpm, that I do not prioritize the car's depreciation or initial value factor over other attributes, like reliability, fuel efficiency, and most importantly FUN!

#10 of 12 nippononly... by hpmctorque

Nov 29, 2004 (7:13 am)

Your thoughts regarding 87 vs. 91 octane parallel mine exactly.
 
On the Mini's depreciation, it may be a little early to know, since it's still a relatively new model. Advertised selling prices of used Minis would indicate a high residual value, but I don't know if that's consistent with actual selling prices. BMW's strategy of managing the supply of Minis is certainly helping resale values, unlike, say, Ford's strategy of producing as many, or, arguably, more Tauruses than the market can comfortably absorb. The fact that the Mini is desirable, which keeps demand relatively strong, is the other part of the equation on residual values. It appears that Acura is steering (forgive the pun) a middle course with the RSX, which would explain why the RSX's depreciation rate (from list price, at least) is greater than the Mini's, but much better than the Taurus'.

#11 of 12 to anyone who owns a mini by willsie

Jan 11, 2005 (12:56 am)

i own a 2004 mini cooper with the CVT transmition. i have noticed that bob smith mini, the local dealer, is in compitant. i have an issue with the engine bogging out and chugging while idle, at slow speeds, or in reverse. does anyone have any idea why this is or does anybody else have this problem? another problem i have is that when I'm on the freeway going about 70-75 mph, the passenger side door whistles like the wind is getting through the window or the door but everything is shut correctly. does anyone know what the hell i can do because I'm getting no help from the local dealer.
                               thanks, WILLSIE

#12 of 12 Re: to anyone who owns a mini [willsie] by 5port

Jan 11, 2005 (9:25 am)

Replying to: willsie (Jan 11, 2005 12:56 am)
I'm sorry to hear about your problems with the Mini. Dont expect to get much of a response on this forum...its not the right one for your quiry. Try the MiniCooper(S& base styles) forum or MINI problems and solutions.

Messages Page 2 of 2

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