YADDT: Miata / Cooper S / CR-Z / Prius

[Ns1]

In addition to needing a tow vehicle, I need another daily driver; manual unless manual is not available. A small car is ideal since I live in the city and the parking spots at my work are all compact; commute is 25 miles each way. My current options:

• 2001-2003ish Miata - fun to drive, reasonable TCO. Terrible sound deadening from I hear. Lowest initial purchase price.
• 2006 Mini Cooper S - fun to drive, faster than the Miata, high TCO. More creature comforts than Miata.
• 2011ish CR-Z - reasonably fun to drive for a Hybrid, I can get this financed instead of paying cash, lots of tech options, assumed low TCO. Slow for what it is.
• 2010 Prius - taking the Prius back from the wife and giving her a van. Lots of tech options, exceptionally low TCO. Slow but probably no more or less slow than the CR-Z. The most storage space out of all these options.

What say you ATG?

 

[Fenixgoon]

If you plan on toting corgis around, the mini or crz. If you only plan on commuting (no fun trips in canyons or anything) then the prius is definitely the most practical choice. Also what about a gti?

 

[Ns1]

If you plan on toting corgis around, the mini or crz. If you only plan on commuting (no fun trips in canyons or anything) then the prius is definitely the most practical choice. Also what about a gti?

this will be a human vehicle only - we are getting a cargo van for the corgis.

I don't really love the GTI's, and their reliability seems on par with the Cooper.

The Prius is the most practical choice for sure, but practical is basically synonymous with soul crushing.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I'd go with the Miata personally. Top down driving is fun and that is a fun car to drive too.

 

[pauldun170]

In addition to needing a tow vehicle, I need another daily driver; manual unless manual is not available. A small car is ideal since I live in the city and the parking spots at my work are all compact; commute is 25 miles each way. My current options:

• 2001-2003ish Miata - fun to drive, reasonable TCO. Terrible sound deadening from I hear. Lowest initial purchase price.
• 2006 Mini Cooper S - fun to drive, faster than the Miata, high TCO. More creature comforts than Miata.
• 2011ish CR-Z - reasonably fun to drive for a Hybrid, I can get this financed instead of paying cash, lots of tech options, assumed low TCO. Slow for what it is.
• 2010 Prius - taking the Prius back from the wife and giving her a van. Lots of tech options, exceptionally low TCO. Slow but probably no more or less slow than the CR-Z. The most storage space out of all these options.

What say you ATG?

Miata = awesome. Gets a bit loud on the expressway. Appeal of dropping the top starts to fade in bumper to bumper traffic.

If they were not such pieces of crap, I'd recommend the Mini. My sister lives in Brooklyn and owns a Mini. Great city car and fits anywhere. Handles very well and a joy to drive. Fold the seats down and now you can carry all sorts of crap. Unfortunately Mini's have earned their reputation for being a POS.

2011 CR-Z - Gets the job done but underwhelming. Sooooo underwhelming. One of those cars that you'll just want to pay off and sell 6 months after you get it.Better off just sticking with the Prius or nabbing a beater Fit if you want a stick.

 

[Ns1]

Miata = awesome. Gets a bit loud on the expressway. Appeal of dropping the top starts to fade in bumper to bumper traffic.

Related, what are y'all thoughts on turning the volume up to 11 with the top down? Because when I'm in the Prius with the windows up, the volume is definitely up to 11. I look kind of like this:

 

[Insomniator]

I have an 04 Mini with some mods. Car is a blast to drive, sounds great and is functional with seats folded down and the ability to fit anywhere.

But, its a piece of crap as noted above. Glad I don't have any payments anymore, they can go straight into keeping it on the road now. My last oil change was 400 bucks because the housing broke. AN OIL CHANGE.

So if you can do you own work, or have a connection with a good bmw specialist a mini is great. Had move fun driving the mini than a 435 sport my wife borrowed from work for a few days. I've yet to drive anything that feels more connected to the road than the Mini.

 

[Ns1]

I've yet to drive anything that feels more connected to the road than the Mini.

one of these bad boys.

 

[Thump553]

Do you live where there is a winter? If so, that excludes the Miata. the car would be a ball from May-Oct, but everyone I know who has one stores them over the winter.

The Mini is a car I'd love to drive if I didn't have to pay the repair costs and put up with the time and inconvenience of repairs.

What it boils down to is you need a commuter car. That's an appliance. It boils down to the known (Prius) or an unknown (the Honda some stranger is dumping). Snag the Prius from your wife.

 

[Ns1]

Do you live where there is a winter?

we call them SoCal winters where we have to put away our flip flops.

 

[Insomniator]

one of these bad boys.

Ha well yes I'm sure $150k Porsche feels pretty good. I did drive an 87 Targa in Germany, that felt real connected, with the lack of power steering, brakes and all.

All I'm saying is that a 1st gen Mini S is a unique car, totally different than even the second gen (07+). For less than 10 grand not much will match the experience if its your type of car. I'm sure Miata is similar/even better (as most say).

 

[Ns1]

All I'm saying is that a 1st gen Mini S is a unique car, totally different than even the second gen (07+). For less than 10 grand not much will match the experience if its your type of car.

total agreement here; an r53 has been on my wishlist for over a decade now. that maintenance though...

 

[pauldun170]

we call them SoCal winters where we have to put away our flip flops.

Ok.
That made laugh.
Wasn't prepared for that

 

[pauldun170]

 

[Ns1]

After two years of owning my MC40 JOHN COOPER WORKS, I have only put 6,000 miles on it since replacing the motor. It just sits in the garage and does not get much use. I have considered holding onto it, but it needs to be driven regularly and I need the space.

omg the rest of the description is brutal

Purchased this MINI from the Original owner under the assumption it needed a new water pump. Turns out it needed a water pump and then some. I had Edmond at Mini World INC (Los Angeles) replace the old motor with a 67,000 mile 2006 motor as well as the following:

Super Charger service
Water pump
Radiator
Coolant Expansion Tank-stainless
Motor Mounts
Front Ball Joints
Control Arm Bushings
Clutch
Power Steering Lines
Rear Pads & Rotors
Rear Axle Rebuild
A/C Service and Repair
Roof Trim
Right Front Wheel Trim
Windshield
Upper and Lower O2 sensors
New tires

LOWBALL OFFERS WILL BE IGNORED!! OVER $9000 invested. Firm at $6500.

O_O

 

[thedarkwolf]

meh miatas are fine in the winter. Heat is good in them and if you get a torsen rear end they will go anywhere in the snow thanks to their 50/50 weight distro. The newer ones come with glass rear windows with defrosters which is a big bonus compare to the older ones like mine with plastic windows that can't be scraped. Hardtop ftw. I park mine in the winter most of the time but that is more because of road salt than snow or cold.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Full warranty & brand new -

2017 Ford Fiesta Sedan - $10,500 - https://www.koons.com/new/Ford/2017...ngton-dc-26db4ce20a0e0ae7513b8f85ed92c56f.htm

2017 Ford Fiesta Hatch - $11,300 https://www.koons.com/new/Ford/2017...ngton-dc-26db4b300a0e0a6b440ce99f18a01ab8.htm

2017 Ford Fiesta SE Hatch $12,700 - https://www.koons.com/new/Ford/2017...ngton-dc-f9c671fb0a0e0adf302dd6791b13749e.htm

2017 Yaris IA (Mazda 2) - $14,500 https://www.koons.com/new/Toyota/20...ngton-dc-e011ef070a0e0a1725c5dc92a660f4d1.htm

 

[agent00f]

In addition to needing a tow vehicle, I need another daily driver; manual unless manual is not available. A small car is ideal since I live in the city and the parking spots at my work are all compact; commute is 25 miles each way. My current options:

• 2001-2003ish Miata - fun to drive, reasonable TCO. Terrible sound deadening from I hear. Lowest initial purchase price.
• 2006 Mini Cooper S - fun to drive, faster than the Miata, high TCO. More creature comforts than Miata.
• 2011ish CR-Z - reasonably fun to drive for a Hybrid, I can get this financed instead of paying cash, lots of tech options, assumed low TCO. Slow for what it is.
• 2010 Prius - taking the Prius back from the wife and giving her a van. Lots of tech options, exceptionally low TCO. Slow but probably no more or less slow than the CR-Z. The most storage space out of all these options.

What say you ATG?

Only you can decide if a small convertible is worth it.

 

[NutBucket]

I'm biased but I thought the CR-Z was very fun to drive. I had a 6MT for 3 years and thoroughly enjoyed it. Once kids were in the equation it needed to go.

 

[Insomniator]

Full warranty & brand new -

2017 Ford Fiesta Sedan - $10,500 - https://www.koons.com/new/Ford/2017...ngton-dc-26db4ce20a0e0ae7513b8f85ed92c56f.htm

2017 Ford Fiesta Hatch - $11,300 https://www.koons.com/new/Ford/2017...ngton-dc-26db4b300a0e0a6b440ce99f18a01ab8.htm

2017 Ford Fiesta SE Hatch $12,700 - https://www.koons.com/new/Ford/2017...ngton-dc-f9c671fb0a0e0adf302dd6791b13749e.htm

2017 Yaris IA (Mazda 2) - $14,500 https://www.koons.com/new/Toyota/20...ngton-dc-e011ef070a0e0a1725c5dc92a660f4d1.htm

I'd rather drive a 10 year old broken down Mini or Miata than any of those POS's. Buy one for 6 grand and have 4 grand left over for repairs. Just look at the interior of the Fiesta... would be the saddest 50 miles of your life each day.

 

[NutBucket]

Unless it was the ST on which case you'd forget all about the interior.

 

[Ns1]

Speaking of broken down minis, as I was heading out today I saw a Cooper S dead on the side of the road with the hood up. Not a good omen.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

Let's see.....hmmmm...... daily 25 mile one way city commute in a manual mini. Just shoot me.

From the choices listed it would be Prius first and CRZ second.

 

[NutBucket]

It's about how young you want to feel. I was commuting 45 miles each way in college and had an MT. An automatic CR-Z is a definite penalty box; might as well admit life is over and get a Prius at that point.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

It's about how young you want to feel. I was commuting 45 miles each way in college and had an MT. An automatic CR-Z is a definite penalty box; might as well admit life is over and get a Prius at that point.

Uh... you were young. In college. Did it make you feel even younger? And now you are commuting in what? Is it a stick? How much younger does the stick make you feel?