Great Car Faceoff: The Four Contenders

They’re not pretenders, that’s for sure, though some BMW 335 fans may think one of them is. The four vehicles to make it this far through The Great Car Faceoff are now battling to make it to the championship round. The matchups look like this:

• Mini Cooper vs. Nissan 350Z
• Chevy Tahoe vs. BMW X5

Vote now to make sure your favorite goes to the final round. With the lone exception of one vehicle, this is pretty much how we predicted things going, but you can never count out a loyal online fanbase in contests such as these. Good luck.

The Great Car Faceoff

Comments

3 foreigners vs the lone american(who's surprise its a gm). nways, the final 2: mini vs X5 or the Z vs X5

No surprise that GM made it to the final four? Cause the Toyota fans only cared to push the poor Camry along, and couldn't make it, and was bested in the first round by of all cars, old reliable Crown Victoria. Hence there is a reason why police fleets across the US and Canada still use the car.

Where were these Toyota fans for when their poor Corola, Rav4, Highlander, Tundra, Sienna, and Tacoma all were in trouble? I suppose the Camry was the only Toyota with any fan base.

And the Mini, are there any straight males that drive such a chicks car?

i'll let you ride in my 210hp JCW MINI w/ better breaking & slalom speed than a 350z track edition (not to mention, better ride, mpg, insurance rates, 4 seats, storage room, luxury packages, on & on)--it'll straighten you right out as we blow past the 350 on the tight track.

just ask my friends driving 350's that have seen my back bumper one too many times....

You're all kind of light in the loafers.

sorry, xxx--your hummer was beat in round two.

Oh Snap! 210 Horse Power. Please tell me you're talking about 210 to the wheels and not at the crank. Only salesman use brake horse power.

"not to mention, better ride, mpg, insurance rates, 4 seats, storage room, luxury packages, on & on"

Um Z drivers don't care about storage, luxury, mpg, and especially don't care about Insurance rates. It's a sports car not a grocery getter.

"w/ better breaking & slalom speed"

LOL, that's just something underpowered people say, Billy. The Z is over a sec quicker to 60, and kills the cooper in the 1/4..so don't play that same retarded game civics play with mustangs. Let's look at some other things instead. How about the fact that a car built by BMW still has moulding edging showing all over the interior? Or how about the fact that The center speedo is also used by...hmmm, the xB, Xa and Saturn Ion...and thee's a reason why nobody else uses it, and numerous sources refer to center speedos as unsafe? Or, maybe you would prefer me to point out the fact that the cooper is FWD, and therefore will NEVER have the driving dynamics of a true sports car, regardless of 'slalom speed' and 'braking'. MPG? Only an idiot would quote such a meanial mpg advantage on a sports car comparison; the Z gets almost a 100hp advantage for that, what, 5mpg difference? Oh, surely the Mini has more space for people though, right? Well, not exactly...save for those pitiful back seats, the Z has more room; more driver and passenger room, and more storage...wow, poor little JCW Mini. Once you factor in the cost of a JCW makeover, the mini is the same cost as a Z, why would anyone bother unless they are female, a treehugger, or have a skewed idea of cost-fun ratios? THE ONLY THING THE JCW MINI HAS OVER THE Z IS A BACKSEAT, SLALOM, AND BRAKING. The last two are only due to (reminds me...learn how to spell 'braking' please)the weight. Hell, the mini still has struts up front. Don't be dumb...my Celica GT-S is better competition for the mini, maybe you should learn your place. :)

I think Z's point was his "grocery getting" JCW MINI is faster than the "pure sports car" 350Z on tight tracks & around town in traffic--which, does make the 350 look pretty bad, considering the MINI's practicality.

True sports cars aren't measured just on 0-60 & 1/4. Might as well compare the 350 to an old Z28, or some other POS.

350Z is only faster on more open tracks & straight-aways.

BTW, the GT-S is probably the worst excuse & $/performance car made.

210hp out of a Mini. Thats it? Sorry but the 350Z would waste a Mini. Plus looks by far much cooler.

Absolutely correct with the GT-S price-performence...unless you buy used; that's why it isn't made anymore. I got my 2k1 loaded with 45k for 11.5K
"True sports cars aren't measured just on 0-60 & 1/4"
Exactly why I listed other information...did you even read, or just find points to dispute and then make up the rest? It's like you are trying to argue with me, but still somehow agree with me. :\

Oh, and the Z is notoriously easy to drive around town. The 3.5 in the Z has been touted as the best v6 ever made for good reason.

I will agree that the 350Z V6 is awesome.

I've actually owned both cars and would take the JCW anyday for around town driving in traffic & the autocross.

For the few days you can get out on a real track, well the 350Z is the car to have.

umm, 210bhp? uh really, you want to brag about that? let's see, that would most likely, and I am being generous here, be about 180hp to the FRONT LOL wheels. that would put that HEAVY little box to 60mph in about 6.8 maybe and the 1/4 at best I would say high 15s.

let's see stock Z hits 60 in low 5s, 1/4 in 13.3, hits 160 top end due to the speed limitor. oh and at the track, not many cars can touch wht a Z can do in the turns.

mini coopers weigh a TON for their size, are front wheel drive and will never be a sports car.
good thing they have that extra room in the back to carry all the shame their drivers must feel when every 350Z that comes up on them makes them realize what they could have had instead.

shoulda had a V6 buddy.

Before the Z-vs.-Mini fight broke out, there was a really interesting point about foreign vs. domestic representation in the Final Four. I don't read it as three foreigners vs. an America. I read it as representation of all three main manufacturing countries -- America, Germany, and Japan. And if you grant the Mini global-pop-culture status (not at all a stretch) and allow it to transcend nationalism, they are actually all equally represented.

That said, the Z totally dominates the Mini, in every way, for speed and performance, on the road, on the track, from a stoplight, careening around the corner on two wheels while trying to lose the police trailer ... well, you get the picture. Now if you'll excuse me, seeing as how cars.com is based in Chicago, I have to go cast a few more votes for the Z on behalf of all my dead forefathers ...

Check your numbers again, MD.

JCW is a high 5.9s 0-60, 14.0s 1/4. Let's at least be fair here.

Again, each car has it's advantages. The 350Z is the lb/hp king and winner on large tracks.

The JCW trades some lb/hp for a more civil around town car & better in everyday traffic & tight tracks.

When you've driven both, your opinion will carry a little more weight.

the minicooper is FRONT WHEEL DRIVE, sorry no way no how that is a sports car and no way no how will it ever compete with the 350Z.

see, you have obviously never driven a 350Z before, or you would know that not only does it handle, but it has world class handling.

sorry, but the mini is not in the same league, not even the build up cooper. the 350Z is headf and heels WAY beyond the cooper and it eat it on a tight track or open one.

oh and I don't buy for a sec that 210hp on a car that heavy will be running 14 flat in the 1/4. keep dreaming

Read a little further up, MD.

I've owned & tracked both cars.

I'll race anybody, anytime, anywhere in my Z and take you to the cleaners! You guys don't know what you're talking about. If you got a problem with me BRING IT ON! I'll clean the floor with you, stupid punks. Z RULZ!

Eloquently spoken.

No Mini owner alive will ever claim their car is a sports car. Don't know why the Z owners keep bringing that up. It's a Hot Hatch, and always will be... for now. There's a Mini sports car being looked at in concept. But I digress. Someone asked me why I wanted a car that was so slow in the quarter mile, when I bought my 2006 MCS-JCW. I told them, "My quarter miles aren't straight!"

BTW, I have driven the Z, and I'll keep my Mini, thank you very much. It's a helluva lot more fun.

I'm sorry for my previous comments and to any that I may have offended. I'm going thru some tuff times at home and work. To top it off I'm not very well endowed and my Z is the only way I can prove my manhood. Anyways, they're all great cars. May the best auto win.

Coop - 47 & Z - 53...hmm...how are these Z-ealots managing to rig the pool. There is no other way Mini could be beaten :D

Its a close one! I think the Mini is great, but my loyalty is with the Z.

My friend has a Mini with some suspension work done, and it handles eerily well! I am afraid to ride with him at times!

No such thing as rigging the pool, my friend. Just a great group of faithful followers, and even more followers of those faithful ;-)

yeah the mini is cool. sure it is a fun car. but you cannot spank the crap out of it like you can a Z and walk away from it in one piece. I HAVE driven both, actually a modd'd Cooper S that was pretty quick, but it understeered like crazy and did not hold the corners nearly as well as the 350Z. the mini-cooper is not made to compete with a car like a 350Z.

oh and the Z is not really a quarter mile car, it just happens to be decent at it. the Z is a true performer, with amazing handling. I have thrown my Z into some turns at speeds I was certain would cause the car to oversteer and eat it, but nope, it just digs down harder, hold on tighter.

the Z is truly the most amazing bang for the buck sports car ever built.

Do any of you Z owners lease your car? I am curious. I looked into a lease because I don't drive much. The payments would have exceeded 700 for a loaded up touring with a nav, even with a residual value hovering around 60 percent.

Love this "discussion!"

Great to have such passionate groups going at it for something like this. I say, bring on the smack, boys, I love it!!!

BTW, I drive a MINI Cooper S and love it. I also hold the Z in very high regard, two of my favorite cars available on the road - but I drive my choice.

Ummm....I'm cool and everyone else who disagrees with me isn't!!!

The Z is winning due to the online Nissan community voting for the Z.

Its fun watching the hype on the forum on both sides.

I'm a Nissan fanatic and I did vote for the Z. However I did like zipping around in the mini.

Its A battle of the internet forums at this point.

"Ummm....I'm cool and everyone else who disagrees with me isn't!!!"

+1

You are all poopy heads if you vote for the Mini...just so you know.

I am 42 Years old.

I have a 24 year old Girlfriend.

I have a huge member.

I Drive a Mini Cooper S Convertible

I used to drive a 350Z.

When I drove the Z, everyone thought I was a "Z"ero - with a small **** - who just wanted to prove something.

Now I drive a MINI, and everyone thinks I am a Hero.

Besides, a MINI handles like none other (and I have owned 14 vehicles, from Jags and Bimmers, to Z's and Miata's)

Also, the people I met while Z-ing around were all somewhat insecure.

The MINI community has given me some close friends, and a true sense of comraderie.

Also, I have been to many a car show with my MINI, and always came home with a Trophy, when the Z's went home empty handed.

For any of you Z owners to have such vitriol against the MINI, it is because you just don't get it.

-Wikked

LOL. Big words for a guy that starts his post by telling us he has a 24yr old girlfriend, and a big P3nis. Who is it here that doesn't get it? You talk about another car community as a whole as being insecure when you start a conversation like you did? Good to see you have your "i'm young enough to be his daughter" girlfriend and "huge member". I better go kill myself now out of my jealousy.

By the way, 42 with a 24 year old girlfriend...most of us would agree that you're just a creepy pervert who preys on a younger generation because your generation knows better than to give you the time of day. :)

I'm gay and even the convertible Mini is too flaming for me! Wikkiedone must be HUGE.

Sounds like you are bit insecure yourself wikked

Au contraire. It takes a BIG man to drive a Mini convertible.

Please remember a few rules before posting comments:
If you don't want people to see your email address, simply type in the URL of your favorite website or leave the field empty.
Do not mention specific car dealers by name. Feel free to mention your city, state and brand.
Try to be civil to your fellow blog readers. This blog is not a fan or enthusiast forum, it is meant to help people during the car-buying process and during the time between purchases, so shoppers can keep a pulse on the market.
Stay on topic. We want to hear your opinions and thoughts, but please only comment about the specified topic in the blog post.

Yo wikked, can you say midlife crisis and you are not even 50 yet!!!! whats next. you need some serious help bro, call dr. phil. sounds like biggie wanna hookup wit you too, he's as confused as you are, playin number 2

Ahhh...the comments the comments.......

You Z guys STILL don't get it......

Wait 20 years....and then......maybe you'll have a clue...

I've 'BEEN' and you are still 'Wanna Bes'

And I drive a MINI.

-W

No confusion here. I know who I am. Who are you BJ? You sound like a white guy trying talk like a 70's blaxploitation character.

You're right I am a white guy, not even a very cool one at that. I try to sound hip, but I'm just lost. Maybe I am a little gay and it's hard to admit it.

Whenever I pass a Z on the freeway, my first thought is, "It's a Audi TT."
Nope, just the look alike.

So it comes down some young girl on the Z boards offering up sex pics to get the vote out.

Very classy guys.

I wonder:
(1) Is there a prize to anyone who has voted the "winnng" car?
(2) Will ur driving skills improve if the car u like has won?
(3) The winning car becomes "#1 car of the world?"
(4) Increase in sales for the winning car? &
(5) You'll go out and BUY the winning car immediately (whether you've one or not)?

So lighten up, people. This is a fun place. Though I think this type of poll is really stupid w/o any accomplishment (that's why I didn't vote, even though I personally own a Fairlady), personal insults and moronic comments aren't really necessary... I just hate it when people are saying like, "this is an american vehicle, so it's better," or "I drive a mini, so you must be gay." What does this type of comment prove - other than that you must be an idiot to say those thgs?

Yo biggie that proves my pt, u r confuse, u don't even know what ur name is, trying to impersonate me dude, don't. i don't play number 2. One

Yo Amuro Ray, sounds u r going thru a crisis 2 dude, where's ur bad fun. cheer up man life goes on

Was someone comparing the aftermarket for the MINI Cooper to that of the 350Z?
1) Stock 350Z >>> MINI Cooper
2) Stock 350Z > Modified MINI Cooper
3) Modified 350Z >>>>>>>>>> Modified MINI Cooper

So this is gonna come down to a Tahoe Vs. a Z? Gee two cars I wouldn't want anyway.

Thank god in the real world I have choice!

Talk about pot calling the kettle black. Both Mini and the Nissan are POS cars and any real car guy would never own either one. Nissan is a compact made for a chick from BMW's left over parts. Z is a poor man's wanna be sports car which lacks in quality just like the rest of Nissan products. I still can't believe how the two crappy cars made it to the finals. And everyone thought Crown Vic winning over the Camry was bad.

Stop the press! SecretSquirrel just unleashed the truth about both these cars! OMG all the experts, from Car&Driver, Automobile Mag, Top Gear, Motor Trend and Road&Track obviously know nothing about either the Z or the Mini since they, unlike Squirrel here, have sung he praises of bith cars many times. All of them have even gone to far as to proclaim the 350Z the best sports car under 40K, and the best bang for the buck sports car ever made. They have even been so wrong as to claim the Mini as one of the most fun cars to drive.

YET, hre is Mr. Somebody, he must be if all the experts were wrong according to him, telling us that both cars are crap. yeah this despite that the nissan has what most experts claim is the best v6 EVER PRDUCED, period.

umm SS, in case you are mislead by my post, being as simple as you are, you're opinion means little compared to the greatest experts in the biz.

sure we fans come here and trash on each other over which car is better, but we do so knowing that both cars are great and both are different and fit the desires of their owners.

you come here talking smack that well, just isn't upheld by any expert anywhere on the planet.

so, I suggest you get back in your 1988 POS and drive off into oblivion, so that you are your opinion can be together again.

Z and Mini cooper, both different, both great.

uh but he Z is better, LOL, sorry couldn't resist!

W

you are not a "been" you're a NEVER has been and a washed up one at that.

you talk about Z owners being insecure yet the first thing you try to do is prove how cool you are telling us

A. you are hung

B. have a girlfriend half your age

C. you drive a mini

let me translate this for everyone

A. I am hung = I can't figure out which is my penis or pubic hair till I pee

B. I am a complete failure at life, no woman my age from the time I was in my 20s till now wanted me so I go after young girls to inexperienced to know what a douche I am.

C. I am 42 but and drive a car that looks like ti belongs to my 24 year old bimbo, but I still think I look better in it then her.

so no W, we do get it, loud and clear you are a LOSER.

Enough with the personal attacks already... as if it helps either car out.

The Z is great, the Mini is great. And both communities are very supportive of their horse! This is the most fun i have had on internet forums in a long time! Lighten up, and stop turning this in to a personal level bashing thread!

Agreed. I loved my Z, but I love my JCW just a tiny bit more.

Both are killer cars in their own respects.

No cars for normal people? I like doing long car trips and I don't think any of the cars of this page would be fine with me.
Where are the big old sedans? Any Avalon or Fusion (or even better the Milan), Lucernes, Altimas would be better choice.
Just and opinion.

expat...sleeper cars don't raise pulses. that's what the Coopers and Z's (and better: 335's) of the world do.

want comfy for long trips...im sure the x5 would do quite well.

Sorry, the Z is going to win. There's just more of us straight people. So we are winning by our sheer numbers.

I have personally owned few of the cars in the face-off. As far as sports car goes, hands down the Z wins. My gf has a Mini- love that little car. But in comparison to the Z, you can ask her too, its just not at par. The Z is quicker, RWD, great interior, and great styling. The lines on the car are very distinctive and the sound is unmistakable. Whether you are a businessman or a race car driver, this car will truly allow you to appreciate the different facets it has to offer.

seems like the Z is kicking some serious butt, i predict Z vs X5 for the finals!!

No matter what anyone writes about the Z or Mini on here, there is no mistaking the real determination of this contest - it's just a flag waving contest for fans of a particular car. You can rant and rave all day and night over whether the Mini or the Z is a better car (there really is no comparison, they aren't competitors...honestly... very FEW people cross-shop a Z with a Mini). This was more than proven before with the Camry vs. CV.

This has just turned into a pissing contest between fans of two cars that have manical fans...that's fine, but keep the comments on femininity and sexuality out of it, if you use it, it just shows how immature you really are, and perhaps insecure, and actually does a disservice to your particular cause.

So, may the roudiest fans win, not best car. That has not happened during this contest from day 1. It is good that the voting system was changed, because it did become a numbers of fans contest, which is still infinitely better than Round 1, where it was just a vote-dumping exercise.

Both cars' shape fit those that drive them. In regards to trips, the only difference is that mini owners need to pack in rectagular suitcases and Z owners use stuff sacks to conform to its aerodynamic shape. It is not fair for the poll to end on a week-end when Z owners are out and about and mini-owners are at home near computers.

Mini= fun little corner carving people mover
Z = fun sexy apex animal with straightline cred to boot.

One's my preference, one isn't, but they are both great cars.