I'm wondering which car I would have the most fun with. I know the MCS is only 167 HP, but after the warranty is up, for +/- $5,000, I can bring it up to 245 HP! The car already handles like it is on rails!

But.....Evo would be much more fun in the winter around here, and likewise has excellent handling, besides the fact that I'd have a more powerful car stock, without waiting for a warranty to expire or chancing an unreliable upgrade.

 

I love my Evo and would not trade it for a Cooper S, but having said that my girlfriends brother has an S and it is a fun car. Nowhere near the "go" that my Evo has, but it does handle great. It has no problem keeping up in the twisties and is very forgiving at the limit, it just cannot hang when the road opens up. Not a bad car though.

 

Are u seriously comparing if the Cooper is as fun the EVO. Cause they are not even close.

 

I'd get the evo. you'd have to wait until the warranty is up on the S to get any real fun, wheareas the evo you get the fun fresh out the box

 

I drove the Mini S for 2 days. I would pick an Evo over this thing without any doubt. They are not even close.

 

even the cooper s is more of a woman's car.

 

Cooper is a fun car if you get the works package.
Evo is a rally car,big difference.....

 

I would definitely drive both or at least get a ride in an Evo or STi before you make your decision. Or even a WRX for that matter. You are comparing apples to roadapples here. Front wheel drive will never handle like AWD or RWD so bear that in mind, and I would decide what you want in that department before making specific comparisons. You should be either considering the RSX, SRT-4, Mini, mazdaspeed protege, etc. Or considering WRX, Evo, Evo RS, STi. If you are going up to the Evos price, you also deserve a test drive in an RX-8 and 350Z, maybe even a Cobra or GTO as well.
As far as your comment on winter - remember you will need mud/snow tires put on. The stock tires are NO FUN in the winter, and actually quite dangerous in the snow.
Just some thoughts. It's a great time to be car shopping, good luck!

 

Read this. The MCS is in the same performance league as the Focus, Protege, Neon, Ralliart, and more. I haven't driven the Mazdaspeed Miata but I would imagine it's very fun to drive. Possibly more fun than the EVO!