Mini Cooper S vs. Toyota GR86: Which Is the Better-Driving Enthusiast Car?

[@edmundscars]

What do you think is the best competitor to the Toyota GR86? Let us know in the comments.

[@JuanAntonEgo]

Where you get the $36,455 as tested $$price for the Gr86 Trueno Edition?? You adding the dealership markUp?? I paid $35,890 for my Trueno edition that's with a +$70.00 markUp I basically paid msrp.

[@johnfeliciano585]

Mazda MX-5

[@moldyrefrigerator]

@@edmundscars the Subaru BRZ

[@P51]

@@edmundscars only one. Miata.

[@patrickbateman7122]

Not a mini 😂😂🤦‍♂️

[@joelpeterson2074]

My wife has a new Countryman, the interior is one of my favorite things I’ve ever seen. I tried a cooper, but it was just too hard to get in the back seat. Ended up with a 23 GTI, that despite some annoyances, is a blast 100% of the time.

[@layne4376]

I sometimes think Edmunds is high when they put these comparison tests together.

[@TassieLorenzo]

The BMW MINI Cooper S was a pretty fun car back in the R53 days! It seems kind of big and blobby now though.

[@iissac22]

@@TassieLorenzo Most are fun until they break again

[@JuanAntonEgo]

Sounds like that. But u do see lots of mini's ( for whatever reason I don't know why? ) on the roads. Also the similar price tags dictates a match up.

[@oemj7147]

@@iissac22 Ironically the Mini is more reliable than the GR86/BRZ pair.

[@mnmz6934]

Owned a Mini for 8 months before getting rid of it. Absolutely one of the worst ownership experience I've had...ever. Brake pads were "contaminated" so it was squealing, The dealer replaced it, and came back again, they said keep driving until the noise becomes unbearable. The fuel sensor went out within 5k miles, CEL for that, took them a few days to replace. The plastic black pillars were stuck on with cheap glue, you can hear the plastic popping under the sunlight when the weather gets hot. Interior rattle noise is worse than an offroad truck. No dipstick to check on anything. The worst part is their dealership thinks they're a premium sports car brand lmao. Never buying Mini brand again.

[@sunnyvalentino]

Love the unique comparo between two lightweight small highly engaging (one sporty, one sports) cars!!!

[@bigmacdaddy1234]

I have a 2023 JCW mini convertible in British Racing Green with tan leather interior. It's the only convertible in the world that is shorter than a Miata but seats four with no issues. Also the top can open halfway as a sunroof or all the way down. It's also great in any weather because its front wheel drive. This is the perfect car that does it all.

[@brandonpollard8928]

Let em know! When they don't give MINI the utmost respect in the car World it shows that they have no idea what they're talking about, I'd rip this track apart in your set up ❤

[@davcuts2897]

I'd go with the MINI, but the 4-door instead. Neither the 2-door or GR86 would make a good daily driver except for those who are single and plan to stay that way.

[@jeretso]

The Mini bmw looks like a micro SuV for the win. Toyota Sub GR86e is for people with no passengers. I have a lot of people to pickup so Mini.

[@archangelmichael8620]

Mini Coopers are awesome. I’m looking forward for the JCW. 231 hp with 280 feet pound of torque. Better brakes, better suspension, dual clutch transmission.

[@neilhamilton3445]

Great for people who love ticking time bombs

[@Redmongoose-rdm]

Some of us think 200hp is plenty! The cars at the top of my list are around 200hp, some even lower, much lower.

[@layne4376]

Like what? A Yugo?

[@pcthayer]

@@layne4376 A Yugo? What was their slogan...."Sometimes "You Go" but most of the times you don't?" 🙂 The MSRP ($3,990) was attractive but their realiablity wasn't.

[@DJL78]

Great job Clint!!

[@stevemclain2691]

Why not compare the Cooper S to the Elantra N-Line (not N)?

[@urbanstrencan]

RWD rules so Toyota GR86 for me ❤❤❤. Great video keep up with awesome work 🤟🤟🤟

[@wesleyjones1169]

The new MINI is a mixed bag I would just get a mk8 GTI if I was looking for a FWD car. Overall though I would take the GR86 hands down at least that has a manual.

[@antonilavin2488]

The new Cooper S drives beautifully. It isn’t meant to be a track car. The levels of refinement are very high. It’s a daily driver that you can have a bit of fun with. Completely different car to the 86. And outsells it on a worldwide basis about 20 to one. I’ll pick the mini every single time because I like comfort. Plus, you can get it with a fabulous 11 speaker stereo. and you can actually hear the stereo unlike in the 86 with the massive road noise. The 86 sound system is also terrible.

[@ZakWilson]

Both cars have Carplay, but no mention of whether either has Android Auto. Do they?

[@moldyrefrigerator]

Is this question a joke? It's the GR86.

[@calebfurlong]

Seems like a weird comparison, especially on the track, but I actually cross shopped a GT86 and an R53 mini 6 years ago. Still own my R53. For me, compared to the GT86, it was no contest. But I think I would take the GR86 over the new Cooper S. It seems like BMW are leaning away from “sporty go kart”😢

[@jamesh1641]

Wearing shorty-shorts testing these cars seems appropriate. 😂

[@Wolfox360]

A tuned car versus Entry level equipped car.... makes sence. End those that know, even in this configurations, a Mini's' motor will last longer on track than THAT Subaru engine. Mini JCW 230hp should be coming but from what I saw, it looks like it won't have big front calipers, but I hope it won't be So......Well we go after market. And BTW, RWD already starts by having a big advantage on road/track on a FWD

[@copperkeyracing6167]

The new Mini S is now the better basic Mini, nothing more. It's not a hot hatch. It's not a sports car. Was it ever? It was always close, but now, it's definitely not. It once had the fun factor, although not impressive numbers. Now, the fun factor is gone, too.

[@patrickbateman7122]

Ah it's got a 🌈 strap! It's the winner for me as it's got a lot more diversity and inclusivity than the GR86 ❤

[@lclt55555]

Lol

[@chani8162]

You compared a year old enthusiast model with a newer "sport" (non enthusiasts model). Imo not a fair competition. Why no compare the '24 tuarano with the manual '24 JCW mini? That's 2 enthusiasts cars that were made with the track in mind.

[@boost331]

You guys must have crappy 91 octane or be at high elevation. My bone stock 2022 BRZ manual was doing 0-60 in 5.8-5.9 seconds and 1\4 mile in 13.9-14.0 pretty consistently. A couple mods later and it is much quicker now.

[@pcthayer]

The GR86 is the winner, but rather than the Mini, you have the Mazda 3 w/manual or with a turbo AWD automatic. (It is better but doesn't have the same cult following as the Mini.)

[@oemj7147]

The Mazda 3 is not a fun car. It might be livelier than other commuter cars in its class but it's not a sporty car. No comparison to a Cooper S. Now make it a Speed 3 and I'll consider it.

[@1Obearz]

They competing for the most unreliability.

[@layne4376]

Engrish please!

[@oemj7147]

They are both reliable.

[@stevemartegani]

It's sad the MINI is heavier than the 86 now, and not to mention still doesn't have an LSD... Its basically just a mall crawler for small parking spots :( Hopefully the JCW gets a diff.

[@itgoesfast2722]

Hmmmm. A front wheel drive joke or a rear wheel drive with a real transmission, real brakes… I wonder which would be better on a track…. LOL

[@gigi9467]

Not much of a real engine though

[@P51]

@@gigi9467how much is a base Cayman MT now 🤔

[@know916bound]

FWD shouldn't be slept on. And I've never really liked minis though they drive fine. And the subi boxer engines in these are lame as hell.

[@gigi9467]

@@know916bound i believe fwd should be slept on from an experience perspective, its awful torque steer etc, can they be fast sure! But its always lacks the dynamics of what makes a car fun to me at least.

[@know916bound]

@@gigi9467 lap times matter more. And so do driving dynamics. And not all fwd are bad. Honda, Mazdas ans minis actually have pretty damn good dynamics if you know how to control them. Of course not everyone wants to try and learn a different curve or style .

[@JuanAntonEgo]

Girl car vs man's Car😎 Easy 'W for the Gr86 Trueno edition. Mini would have maybe more of a chance if they still offered the Manual. But Mini is a soft car company these days!

[@brandonpollard8928]

A...Man's car... make sure you charge your Vape clown

[@andygranados2075]

A jcw would’ve been a better comparison with the gr, not a cooper s :p

[@sylvainbougie7269]

I like these batter than any 6000 lbs behemoth

[@level10boy]

Should not even be comparing these cars, GR86 is in a different league in terms of drivers car and driving dynamics

[@sunnyvalentino]

200 HP is enough, if the weight is low. My MX5 is 185HP, and feels fast with the 2300 pounds weight!!! This is coming from someone who owned plenty of 400-550HP cars. 😂

[@roblopez-yy3nd]

Hey Mini…… Save the Stick!!!

[@Jordan-ql8pv]

That Mini is an embarressment. Seems like Mini decided their customers only care about style over substance. Perhaps that is the case.

[@mart0225]

The MINI is similar to the GTI in that in the US they are marketed as sports cars, yet, in other markets they are available as regular models.

[@brandonpollard8928]

You easily sound like you haven't driven one

[@P51]

these cars are not comparable as sports cars other than the 2️⃣ doors. and who cares about luggage soace and ease of loading in a sports car?

[@alfonsealbanese1785]

Transmission totally kills the car for me... didn't even make it to the end of the video.. gr86 is a way way way better car.

[@motaz1975]

the mini manual was kinda rubbery and sloppy. this was such a terrible head to head. cars wont even be cross shopped by most. an automatic fwd vs a manual rwd. i bet the mini was rolling on terrible run flats too lol! go snag a last gen JCW with a stick and do a better comparison.

[@OkayJose]

The new gen no longer are run flat

[@minaguirguis8897]

Mini got soft... Mini Cooper "S" for soft.

[@RANDsreviews]

OMG Coopers are one of the worst. Lol! someone got paid.

[@nickcheema907]

Big fail from MINI/BMW. The UI is horrendous. 120 feet to stop the 3000 lbs MINI??? and what's with the fake engine noise and interior "selfie camera" ? what an embarrassment! LOL

[@redkatana7450]

They styling on the new Cooper is lame. It looks like an EV. There's nothing exciting going for it. GR86 wins by a mile, not even close.

[@brandonpollard8928]

GR86 looks like a Porsche for gay dudes

[@adrianw3985]

I've had a couple of motorcycles with 200 horsepower. 200 in a 3000 plus pound sporty car seems pretty sad.

[@brandonpollard8928]

I guarantee I can beat anyone of y'all lap time in a MINI compared to that Toyota, y'all can't drive.. it's NOT the car

[@kevinbarry71]

None of the women, customer base for the Mini, seemed interested in a manual.

[@NOXStellans]

Oblivious douchebag comment-Note how the reviewer and many a manly man are interested in being Mini customers if only BMW had given it a bit of that substance that made the first so famous. It's especially disappointing because BMW knows how to do it right.

[@pcthayer]

I wouldn't generalize and say that, but an automatic is better for commuting in stop and go traffic if that is your only car. I think it was a mistake that they took the manual away. They took it away for one model year and then brought it back so hopefully they do the same again.

[@Dwilso621]

Can’t think of a single reason to buy the Mini. Not even sure it’s appealing to middle aged empty nester women anymore.

[@NOXStellans]

Expand your horizons. Your parent's basement is keeping your world a bit small.

[@Dwilso621]

@@NOXStellans thanks for that enlightening input. I’ll look into getting out of their basement. Probably time for me to stretch my wings.

[@NOXStellans]

@@Dwilso621 You're not wrong to the extent you highlighted the gross negligence Mini execs are guilty of. It would take so little for BMW to make a great Mini; this one can't even stop.

[@Gurka84]

WTF!? How can you even compare this joke of a car to the GR/BRZ? One is heavy, automatic only, soulless and basically the worst of its generation and the other is the complete opposite. This MINI abomination is not an enthusiast car at all, it’s just an empty fashion statement at this point, and an ugly one at that!

[@edmolina7262]

Dumb comparo! Ford Ecoboost and Subaru BRZ with auto trans better comparo!

[@arctictruck10]

Hopefully the manual transmission is next to go

[@67tomcat]

Why? A sporty car deserves a manual transmission.

[@arctictruck10]

@@67tomcat what car in professional racing uses a manual still beside NASCAR? automatics have surpassed manuals from the 80s and 90s where a manual was better to have.

[@67tomcat]

@@arctictruck10 I appreciate your comment, but my opinion, and it's clearly not how many will support, is no automatic has the involvement of driving a manual transmission. I'd rather have the GR86.

[@arctictruck10]

@67tomcat you might as well get rid of your power windows and install crank windows for involvement 🤣

[@Splentaur]

​@@arctictruck10 Who in NASCAR turns the wheel in more than one direction? What percentage of buyers purchase cars like these to drive in "professional races"? NASCAR is mind-numbingly boring and repetitive, anyway, and arguably the lowest-talent level in pro racing. People who buy sports cars generally do so for the enjoyment of driving winding roads, and the engagement of controlling the car, which involves rowing the gears yourself. You have no skill at rowing gears if you can't understand why people will always want to. ATs are for girls, people missing an arm or leg, or people lacking skill. If you check out what most pro drivers are having fun with outside the job, you'll see many of them prefer to buy sports cars with manuals. Your argument that MTs should be done away with, simply because you don't understand, is ridiculous. Patterning what you buy, according to what's used in pro racing, is a bit of a self-aggrandizing fantasy.