Hey guys,
I just wanted your opinions. I drive a 2004 WRX. Its pretty much stock as I've only done some cosmetic mods so far.

Anyway, my sister is thinking of buying a Mini Cooper. So I went to the dealership to test drive one with her. As we got in the car, the salesman sitting in the backseat said that it has 170 hp and a tight sporty suspension. He said its "quicker than most things on the road." I said, "I doubt that" and pointed at my WRX, "My Subaru is definitely faster."

So he said, "Ok, maybe not your WRX, but the handling in this Mini would chew up and spit your car out."

All I could say was, "I don't know." As I was a little shocked this car salesman would insult a prospective customer's car.

So I want everybody's opinion, could a Mini Cooper S outhandle a stock WRX?

 

the wheel base is shorter on a mini and the wheels are closer to the corners so he might be right.

 

He could use lessons in tact but he wasn't wrong.

Mini's will win (once it get's going) around a track, auto-x, and believe it or not... probably even a rally so long as it's not muddy or snowy.

 

Get some eibachs and switch out the swaybars to the 20 - 24 adjustables with enlinks and throw in some tower braces for some rigidity and let the AWD do the talking for you...... Granted i have some power mods..... but i walk them pretty easily running thru the chicanes on seven lakes drive in harriman state park.

 

well the mini is smaller,lighter,has a lower center of gravity.it´s like a freaking go cart.so ya i say it could be a beat better then a wrx.

 

or just get good tires and you can out handle them

 

Power to weight ratio isnt quite the same....


yeah.. tires and lighter rimz would certainly do the trick as well...

 

Straight line the WRX will spank it! Stock handling the Copper S will probably out run us.

 

yes, with the notable exception of snow.

 

Yeah, the Coopers S is damn good in Auto-X.

And keep in mind, he wasn't insulting a potential customers car, he was insulting your car. I bet he's playing the "If you buy this, you'll have a faster car then your brother" angle.

 

Auto-x, the Cooper will win. On a road course, the WRX will win. Assuming stock vs. stock.

 

rule number one in any sales job(cars included) make friends with everyone. to insult a client(no matter what the motive may be) is to take a shovel dig some dirt... and throw it straight up into the air .... unless a salesperson has built a comfortable enough relationship with his/her clients- stepping on ones product to make one better is not the best way to build rapport. if i were there i would just walk out-

oh and BTW... yes the mini copper S is a formiddable opponent auto X.
other than that i think the overall stats of the wrx gives it the edge.





aloha from the summit of *-^-Mauna Kea-^-*

 

nKoan-I said he insulted my car, not me. Although, my car IS me. So if you insult my ride, I'm taking it personal.

J2EE-I had the same problem when I drove it and I only have size 10 feet. Its probably just something you have to get used to though.

gdogg-I completely agree. Any smart salesman wouldn't come close to insulting a person or his vehicle. Although, think about this, this dealership is the only Mini dealership in Salt Lake City, where I live. And there is a 6 month waiting list, so I don't think he is too concerned with making sales.

 

No, thats not my point. Your sister is the potential customer, not you (at least, that's what I gathered from your post). So, he's not insulting the potential customers car. (yeah sure, I guess anyone who walks onto a lot is a potential customer in the mind of the salseman and all that jazz, but you weren't really thinking of buying one, were you?)

I still agree that its a stupid move. I'm just trying to clarify my point.