Hullo there.
I have an RX8 auto and have driven the Cooper S auto as well and that very recently . I have read the reviews in teh MAgazines about how good the Mini is to drive and the RX8 as well and have listened to teh opinions of Clarkson et al as well.
The Auto Mini Cooper S is nowhere near as good as the RX8 auto. I believe the manual Cooper S should be good and comparable to the auto/ tiptronic RX8. However the manual RX8 especially the type S 6 speed is much better.
The auto Cooper standard is just 110 bhp.......... just forget it... It is a car for non car persons and just poseurs.
As far as the rest are concerned just get a good RX7 and forget the rest...yes teh RX7