Huh? What "incremental improvements" are you referring to? The only thing I have known them to do to mini 14 was thicken the barrel because accuracy was poor, and add a way to mount a scope (using a proprietary ring design).
It still uses a 1:9 twist meaning you cant go much above 62g without having problems.
It uses steel mags which are heavy and expensive in relation to ar mags. (try $40 for a 30rnd mag off midway)
You can get a budget AR that will perform equally well, that you can maintain yourself without going to a gunsmith with a handful of tools, and customize to your taste or needs, and at HALF the price of a mini 14.
So no, not even close. There have been almost not incremental improvements, and its not even close to competitive with an AR on the basis of features or price.
Nutnfancy has been on the mini 14 band wagon for a while now. He's a bit long winded and has some strong opinions, but there's still a lot to be learned from what he has to share imho. He has more content than anyone that I know of on the mini 14.
mini 14 against the world pt 1, 13yrs ago
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Fk84KLiaa4
Mini 14 against the world pt 2, 13yrs ago
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKPgJ_ec3Fs
Best mags for the mini 14, 11yrs ago
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znJCdgFfhbk
Special Ops mini 14?, 9rys ago
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqGHeirNh5U
is the mini 14 still a viable choice, 6yrs ago
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPAPsWYwuJ0&t=662s
Heres why the mini 14 is collectable, 4yrs ago
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5phIg6MT1Ik