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Honda Civic Coupe vs. MINI

47 messages,  Last post on Sep 14, 2008 at 12:49 PM

You are in the Honda Civic Forum.

What is this discussion about? Honda Civic, MINI Cooper, Coupe

Messages Page 5 of 5

#38 of 47 Re: Civic vs. MINI [millerd2] by thegraduate

Jan 08, 2007 (2:11 pm)

Replying to: millerd2 (Jan 02, 2007 12:00 pm)
In comparing the old Civics (which you have) with the new ones (2006-present) is also like apples and oranges. Well, at least oranges and tangerines...
 
The Civic has lost the "econo-box" feel that I feel the 2005 and previous models had. It now feels a lot like our old Accord from when it was new (a good thing), except that the Civic is more powerful and gets 7-9 MPG better! It also drives much more crisply in my opinion.

#39 of 47 Re: '06 Civic Coupe vs. MINI [thegraduate] by bodble2

Jan 10, 2007 (10:10 pm)

Replying to: thegraduate (Dec 11, 2006 9:40 pm)
"...but I don't think I could ever live down being "the big guy with the clown car" among my friends."
 
I certainly don't think it would look funny, but, for argument sake, would you look any less "funny" if you were driving, say, a Miata, a Z3, a Z4, an SLK, or an older Golf, or the old CR-X, Del-Sol? All those cars, and some others, are not much bigger, if at all, than the Mini. And I see (heck, I know) plenty of big guys driving those. The Mini looks funky, but that's not to be confused with funny. Also, don't forget, across the pond, there are tons of tiny cars in Europe and Asia cramped with big, beefy guys. I think the notion that a big guy looks funny in a small car is strictly a North American, and especially US, phenomenon.
 
Another fringe benefit of the Mini is that it is absolutely a babe-magnet. While I'm not 6'4", I have not been laughed at by a girl, or anyone else for that matter, while driving one. Quite the contrary, actually....

#40 of 47 Re: '06 Civic Coupe vs. MINI [bodble2] by thegraduate

Jan 11, 2007 (11:48 am)

Replying to: bodble2 (Jan 10, 2007 10:10 pm)
would you look any less "funny" if you were driving, say, a Miata, a Z3, a Z4, an SLK, or an older Golf, or the old CR-X, Del-Sol?
 
Nope, all, with the exception of the Golf, would look pretty funny.
 
I think the notion that a big guy looks funny in a small car is strictly a North American, and especially US, phenomenon.
 
I'm not going to disagree with you, but in the great state of Alabama where I live, a guy in a Mini "just ain't right." Personally, if I was in the market for a small car, I'd still go with the Civic for the superior mileage that comes with it. I'd rather have my midsize, for pure crash purposes. I've been run off of the road in my 1996 Accord by a Ford F-150, something that caused me to fishtail and eat guardrail at 40 MPH. After that, I'm just a little slow to jump into a subcompact.
 
Plus, the Accord I drive now (I still have the repaired 1996 and my new 2006) is so quiet and smooth, yet pretty chuckable in corners relative to its competitors, that it appeals to the practical side of me (something that I've always been). The extra room for all my passengers and a 29 MPG average is something that really appealed to me.

#41 of 47 Re: '06 Civic Coupe vs. MINI [thegraduate] by bodble2

Jan 12, 2007 (2:06 pm)

Replying to: thegraduate (Jan 11, 2007 11:48 am)
There is something to be said for practicality. However, if I have the budget for an SLK, then practicality be damned!

#42 of 47 Re: '06 Civic Coupe vs. MINI [bodble2] by thegraduate

Jan 12, 2007 (4:01 pm)

Replying to: bodble2 (Jan 12, 2007 2:06 pm)
Well, I happen to know that I don't physically fit into the SLK, so driving one of those would be a nightmare. I'd love a Honda S2000, but I know I'll never be able to fit in one (i've tried!). Looks like it's boulevard cruisers for me

#43 of 47 odd comparison. by blue330xi

Jan 18, 2007 (1:34 am)

I view mini as a luxury product, what currently takes the place of the 1 series in the USA. A civic is a value product. Many things on the mini cant even be purchased on a civic. It is like comparing a BMW 330i to a mustang, just not a valid comparison. apples and oranges. Want another example? You can pay $150 and buy a ipod (luxery product) or you can pay the same $150 and get a huge CD playing boom box (value product) from Kmart with 300 watts.

#44 of 47 Re: odd comparison. [blue330xi] by thegraduate

Jan 18, 2007 (3:03 pm)

Replying to: blue330xi (Jan 18, 2007 1:34 am)
I understand this view, but the fact still stands. These are two vehicles, with overlapping prices, varying amounts of practicality (although both have it), and varying amounts of fun (the Mini has it on the Civic).
 
You put two small cars in the same price range and people are going to compare.
 
I for one, really wouldn't, because I am too practically minded to consider paying premium prices for the Mini - I'm afraid for over $19,000, I expect cruise control and an armrest to be standard, as well as something other than vinyl/leatherette.
 
I'm 19, but just too much of an old fogey for the Mini, I guess.

#45 of 47 Re: odd comparison. [thegraduate] by blue330xi

Jan 18, 2007 (5:12 pm)

Replying to: thegraduate (Jan 18, 2007 3:03 pm)
The mini is optioned very much the same way as other premium products. Look at porsche. Any little change and they charge for it. The flip side is if you like to have very specific setup it is easy to do but costs more. Toyota pricing (as an example) is the opposite of this. Just a few option packages and a few stand alone options. If you dont like grey or tan then your out of luck. I agree cruise should be standard but I tend to view cars from an overall perspective rather then fixing on one thing I dont like or do like about it. Make no mistake cost matters, just less so to me then having the product I really would enjoy most.
 
EDIT: It should be noted that I am a gadget nut and like every possible option most of the time.

#46 of 47 Re: '06 Civic Coupe vs. MINI [hpmctorque] by onelastbreath

Apr 07, 2008 (10:51 pm)

Replying to: hpmctorque (Sep 20, 2005 11:18 am)
I own an '03 Civic Si and an '07 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works and I have to say that the Mini handles better.
 

#47 of 47 Reply in general by ltq

Sep 14, 2008 (12:49 pm)

Wow, this discussion has been going on a long time, and many things have changed since it started.
Re: Fun factor. I've driven both Si and MINI S and Clubman S. MINI's are 'way better (I didn't say "faster" or "lower track time" or anything like that).
Re: At the limit. To me, what's always been important is the TRANSITION from limit to sliding. That defines how you can/can't push the cornering limits.... great at the "limit" is useless if it transitions rapidly to spinout. The DSC on the MINIs intervene in annoying/thankgod ways. With the DSC ON, I can slide the MINIs past the limit and it retains some control, enough to save your life. For a less experienced driver, this is just great; for an experienced driver, this will drive you nuts. With the DSC OFF, the MINIs are very squirrelly - I do not know about the Si.
Re: Keeping to the topic. It's important to keep to the topic, folks!!! Otherwise this becomes an unlimited discussion. We are not discussing Caymans, or M3s, or one series, or SLKs here.

Messages Page 5 of 5

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