Hi Macct. I had 2 minis before buying 2 mx-5 miatas in a row, then an SLK and then an SLC. Like you I ended up running 2 cars. 2 insurances, 2 road taxes etc. I'd be lying if I said I never miss my 2 seaters, but I don't regret going back to a mini. Each to their own but a Cooper S is every bit as fun to drive in my eyes, obviously a better all year round car and the addition of back seats, gives more options for people and luggage. With the costs of living rising all the time it gets hard to justify running 2 cars, more so now than when I did it in 2017. They are different experiences though and you have to love them both for what they are. I will be picking up my fifth mini soon, so I am obviously a fan and I personally would rather run a nice mini all the time, than have a 2 seater that I ended up doing 2000 miles or so a year in and spent the rest of my time in a car not as fun as either of them, so I don't regret it: rather I think of myself as lucky I ran 2 seaters for 12 years, enjoyed it, then went back to being a little more sensible. (sort of haha). I find I enjoy my driving all the time, rather than some of it.

Sorry only had Cooper S, not a JCW.

 

Just from the availability point of view, I'll say. If you don't have to buy a car right now, wait. I have been reading recently wait times around 11-12 months for new Mini orders, and used cars are already very expensive (and from the looks of it, they are going to keep rising).

 

I recently purchased my 5th MINI hardtop, a '22 JCW. This is my second JCW. My first two were R56S's and my third was a F56S. If you can find some way to test drive a JCW, it could really help make up your mind. For winter driving I don't see either having an advantage over the other. The JCW's power and torque increase was very noticeable to me and the new JCW DDC suspension is very good. Great handling with a much better ride over rough roads. Both models are great cars.

 

In our car history we have a had a MkII soft top and a Mk III hard top MX-5 (UK speak for Miata), then an R56 petrol and F56 diesel Mini hatch (also an F54 Clubman Cooper S). The Miata is a lower riding rear wheel drive car and Mini is a slightly higher riding front wheel drive car.

The Miata loves what in the UK we would call B-Roads, that is twisty roads with speeds up to 60mph that involve drive engagement (well timed/executed gear changes and precise steering). Also loves the engine to be revved out to the red line.
The Mini whilst also at home on the B-Roads (doesn't always engage as much as the Miata) can also do the motorway (highway) cruising as well. So is more of an all rounder with the benefits of a bit more space and the sound insulation of the hard top.

If you like the wind in the hair stuff look at a Mini convertible, if that doesn't bother you, then the Mini will be just as engaging as the Miata but in a different way.

 

Appreciate all of the responses. It is nice to see the balance in the commentary. I really do like the Miata, but know it is not practical enough for me. Totally agree with the comment about B-Roads. I don't enjoy commuting on the highway with it, but it is great on backroads. The ride quality is pretty exceptional for it size, but it is not a fun car for a passenger.

The Mini came into consideration after seeing a Hopkirk edition a while ago. I really liked the look, including the sport seats from the JCW. My dealer now has a preowned one, but it is priced like new. I enjoyed the test drive, albeit it was so short for any strong convictions. The highway ride was fine. The ride seemed busier than the Miata, though, particularly on the sides roads. I think I can easily say it is a car that I will drive more than the Miata, but still serve as a fun second car. While I think I would be satisfied with either a S or JCW, I am tempted to place an order for a Moss Edition. In the meantime, I am hoping to test drive a JCW to see if the ride quality is similar to the S. Thank you

 

I wouldn't hold out for a Pat Moss edition. It looks like all you're getting is a bonnet stripe, some door sill plates and the roof fade. It's a total fluff package.

 

I bought a new MX5 2ltr convertible in 2019, it had the Bilstein suspension so was quite a firm ride. It was a quick car with 197 bhp and as it didn't have a turbo the pickup was quick. I now own a MCS which is fun but I think the MX5 was more fun to drive, lower driving position, LSD great gearbox, but very impractical for carrying anything as the boot is tiny and virtually nowhere to put anything in the cabin, plus the wife didn't like the firm/hard suspension.

 

I had an NC MX5 before the S Works. The MX5 was a real fun car to drive, but the Works is another step up, it's the sort of car you just want to go out for a drive in, there aren't many cars like that these days.

 

Have had MCS and JCW, MCS is quick and probably the sensible choice but the JCW is on another level, the whole package, acceleration, handling and brakes. Equally if just cruising is pretty economical and easily get high 30’s mpg (uk) and higher

 

I'm in Phoenix and I have a 2019 MiniS with a JCW upgrade (at the port). I also have a 2004 MX5; 93K miles; original owner. They're both fun cars but each provides a different experience. I'm an early riser. I drop the top and hit the road at 3 or 4 AM when the roads are free of traffic. Just me, "Red" , my thoughts and the wind. It is the personification of solitude, approaching a state of Zen. I'll never give up "Red". She has been an ever present companion. My son and I have worked on her together... the ultimate bonding experience. Red (my MX5) is a cruising car that yearns for the next curve. I accelerate into a "traffic circle", down shift and then explode out the other side of the "traffic circle". Shear joy! I've tried Michelins, Dunlaps, Pirrelis, but the best for Red are the Yokahamma S Drives. The only upgrades that I did was to change the restrictive air box with an AEM cold air induction system. I also changed the stock stereo to a Panasonic head with a motorized face that comes in and out of the dash when the key goes into the ignition. I also installed 2 JL Audio subs into the deck; behind the seats plus a midrange and tweeter into both doors. Whether I'm listening to Bach or BTO (via my connected iTouch), my tunes enhance each ride as the engine purrs and I enter another dimension.

My 2019 MiniS is tons of fun but she'll never be able to take a curve like Red because her center of gravity is higher than Red's. The beauty of upgrading the S to a JCW at the port is that according to Insurance companies, she is "just" an S; not a JCW. Consequently, my insurance reflects an S, not a JCW. "Max", my Mini, has a bluetooth to engage the JCW. With the press of a button, Max goes from 189 hp to 220 hp. Doesn't sound like a lot, but on a light car, you almost feel the "Gs". Also, when you go from S to JCW, the exhaust tone descends to a deeper resonance that produces a smile each time! Last weekend, I changed the oil and the spark plugs in both "Red' and "Max". Such a joy to do it myself (with Youtube's help). It is FAR easier to change the oil on the MX5 than the Mini unless you have access to a lift. As a 69 y/o guy, I don't mind crawling around under the Mini, however, the 15 minutes it takes to change the oil in Red is 45 Minutes in Max.

I love both cars. The question is which I'll take to my grave? Happy trails!

 

I thought I would provide an update. The Miata is sold. I decided to part with it at the beginning of the summer given the pricing was so strong. I do miss the car, but it was not driven enough since I didn't like driving it for the highway commute. It was also very much a single person car since no one liked being in the passenger seat (which is even tighter than the driver's side).

I ordered a Pat Moss Edition soon after it came out. I thought the price premium was not that much and the likelihood of it being delayed was less than ordering. I was tempted by a 2021 Hopkirk Edition, but the used car pricing on these just didn't make sense to me. At this point, the Mini is at the dealership (photo from my advisor) waiting on the title to arrive. Hopefully, I will be picking it up next week. Thank you for the commentary.

 

Enjoy......