Stop me from buying a Mini Cooper!
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From: new jersey
Stop me from buying a Mini Cooper!
I don't think you can. I was pretty set on ordering a 135i a few weeks ago until I drove the new Mini Cooper-S. I always liked Mini's but never thought it was for me. Anyway, here are my impressions
The '08 MCS I'm going to order came out to about $33k out the door. It includes the sport package, quaife lsd, xenons, navigation, etc. This is about $7k cheaper than the 135i I was going to order, not to mention it's cheaper to insure and gets about 10mpg more. I'm a driver first, commuter second. If you ask me, from a driver's standpoint, in this case the Mini truly is the Ultimate Driving Machine.
I found these pics online, very similar to what I'm ordering
The '08 MCS I'm going to order came out to about $33k out the door. It includes the sport package, quaife lsd, xenons, navigation, etc. This is about $7k cheaper than the 135i I was going to order, not to mention it's cheaper to insure and gets about 10mpg more. I'm a driver first, commuter second. If you ask me, from a driver's standpoint, in this case the Mini truly is the Ultimate Driving Machine.
I found these pics online, very similar to what I'm ordering
Fahrvergnügen'd
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 13,494
Likes: 1,569
From: Maryland
Don't get me wrong, I love the Mini but here's what I hear over and over about them:
1. Initial Quality doesn't last long
2. Ride is brutal
3. Noisy
$33k for a Mini Cooper S would (I assume) have the John Cooper Works package?
I dunno. I think that's pretty high. Are they holding to sticker on those cars?
1. Initial Quality doesn't last long
2. Ride is brutal
3. Noisy
$33k for a Mini Cooper S would (I assume) have the John Cooper Works package?
I dunno. I think that's pretty high. Are they holding to sticker on those cars?
Thread Starter
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From: new jersey
Supposedly those issues were resolved with the new (now 2yr old) R56 Mini. After a couple test drives I believe it, but I can't speak for long term quality. Most of the mini forum owners are pretty happy. Pre 2007 Mini's are R53's.
From what I understand R56 production is very limited, it is very difficult to get the car under MSRP. I've heard of some getting a few hundred below, but that's really it. I hear they are being marked up in SoCal.
From what I understand R56 production is very limited, it is very difficult to get the car under MSRP. I've heard of some getting a few hundred below, but that's really it. I hear they are being marked up in SoCal.
Cruise Missile Lobber
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 959
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From: Newington, CT
I can't stop you becuase I'm buying one next year to replace my '04 TSX. I test drove one and I can't stop thinking about it. On top of that I drive way too far to work everyday and the gas mileage is great.
Great gas mileage and fun to drive......no brainer for my needs.
It's one of those cars though that you either love or hate, so I would expect that to ocme in this thread....that and you'll hear the "chick car" crap, but I'm perfectly comfortable with my manhood
Great gas mileage and fun to drive......no brainer for my needs.
It's one of those cars though that you either love or hate, so I would expect that to ocme in this thread....that and you'll hear the "chick car" crap, but I'm perfectly comfortable with my manhood
I Shoot with a Camera
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 23,082
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From: Vancouver BC
I've always liked the Mini Coopers... I may be wrong, but since it's debut... it's held the top spot for best resale value... and It's got great mpg. Tho, when I looked at them I was considering a used one.
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'08 MX5 GT 6spd.
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 6,234
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From: The Lone Star State
Originally Posted by Brandon24pdx
I just feel I've graduated from FWD and wouldn't much care to go back. It's a cool car and for some people that's not a big deal though.
teh Senior Instigator
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 44,094
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From: Huntington Beach, CA -> Ashburn, VA -> Raleigh, NC -> Walnut Creek, CA
I wish my wife would let me have one. I've spent a few hours in a couple different S's. It is by far one of the most entertaining vehicles I have ever driven.
It's not the fastest to 60, it's not the most comfortable. But that thing is an F'ing BLAST to drive!!!
I got to throw one around that was on R-Compounds and had full suspension
is all I can say!
It's not the fastest to 60, it's not the most comfortable. But that thing is an F'ing BLAST to drive!!!
I got to throw one around that was on R-Compounds and had full suspension
is all I can say!
Team NBP
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 370
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From: Atlanta, GA
my sister had an 04 Mini S and yes that thing was a BLAST to drive! chick car or not i'd definitely rock one (has to be an S of course). she traded it for a C class and misses the Mini everyday lol
The sizzle in the Steak
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 71,436
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From: Southern California
I guess you guys already spoke for me 
My MINI has been one of the most reliable cars I have owned....that says ALOT.
The MINI Cooper brings a smile to my face EVERY time I take it for a drive.
The handling is like nothing else. Go Kart handling FTW.
I'd buy one again, no question about it (if I was still in the market for one).........but
My MINI has been one of the most reliable cars I have owned....that says ALOT.
The MINI Cooper brings a smile to my face EVERY time I take it for a drive.
The handling is like nothing else. Go Kart handling FTW.
I'd buy one again, no question about it (if I was still in the market for one).........but
dɐɹɔ ǝɥʇ ʇɐɥʍ
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Lexington, KY
I am the minority here, but I never really liked the Mini, I heard such rave reviews when they came out, then I drove one in base trim and wasn't for me. A few years later I spent a few hours with a new S and it still just didn't do it for me, in particular when you factor in the poor reliability and high costs to maintain. Personally, I don't like the dash lay out, that giant center gauge, the power window levers are too retro for me, I guess the same could be said of how I feel about the whole car. For $33k it would be on the bottom of my list, but we are all different.
The sizzle in the Steak
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 71,436
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From: Southern California
Originally Posted by iTimmy
I am the minority here, but I never really liked the Mini, I heard such rave reviews when they came out, then I drove one in base trim and wasn't for me. A few years later I spent a few hours with a new S and it still just didn't do it for me, in particular when you factor in the poor reliability and high costs to maintain. Personally, I don't like the dash lay out, that giant center gauge, the power window levers are too retro for me, I guess the same could be said of how I feel about the whole car. For $33k it would be on the bottom of my list, but we are all different.
There is no High cost for maintenance.
The first 2 model years of the first gen had there share of problems no doubt, but since then, reliability hasn't been an issue. I'd put them on par with any other make.
Drinking Beer In
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 525
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From: Portland, OR
The mini is a great choice, but if you are going to buy a small, go-kart handling speedster, then you owe it to yourself to test drive a miata. For what you are paying you could get one outfitted with the upcoming cosworth SC.
Suzuka Master
Joined: Dec 2005
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Originally Posted by o2cls
almost 40mpg and very easily tuned.
GO FOR IT!
GO FOR IT!
With that being said, who cares.
dɐɹɔ ǝɥʇ ʇɐɥʍ
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 7,522
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From: Lexington, KY
Originally Posted by Moog-Type-S
Free maintenance = ZERO $$ for service
There is no High cost for maintenance.
The first 2 model years of the first gen had there share of problems no doubt, but since then, reliability hasn't been an issue. I'd put them on par with any other make.
There is no High cost for maintenance.
The first 2 model years of the first gen had there share of problems no doubt, but since then, reliability hasn't been an issue. I'd put them on par with any other make.
Registered but harmless
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 14,889
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From: Los Angeles, CA
Originally Posted by charliemike
Don't get me wrong, I love the Mini but here's what I hear over and over about them:
1. Initial Quality doesn't last long
2. Ride is brutal
3. Noisy
$33k for a Mini Cooper S would (I assume) have the John Cooper Works package?
...I dunno. I think that's pretty high.
1. Initial Quality doesn't last long
2. Ride is brutal
3. Noisy
$33k for a Mini Cooper S would (I assume) have the John Cooper Works package?
...I dunno. I think that's pretty high.
I've always liked the Mini, as well as the Miata (I guess I'm a chick-car kinda guy... where's that turbo Beetle and Smart Car...
), but the interior noise level would be an issue for me in day-to-day commuting. I would likely not enjoy straight two hours+ drives @ 70 mph on the freeway for longer trips. And yes, the Mini has a below-par repair history.
That pretty much explains why I would shop the 135/335/TL/G35/G37 instead.
Suzuka Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 6,030
Likes: 4
If I wanted to save on gas, that would be the number one car on my list. I've always loved em...With the price of a barrel expected to hit $170 by the end of summer, i'm really thinking about tossing the TL for something more effecient, but everything i'd consider gets equal or worse MPG 
40 MPG in the Mini sounds really tempting...
40 MPG in the Mini sounds really tempting...
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 23,451
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Originally Posted by SakiGT
The S's get anywhere from 22-27mpg, the base models can get 30s. I doubt anyone on the boards are getting 40....
With that being said, who cares.
With that being said, who cares.
The new ones are supposed to get 40. Of course if you drive aggressively, you may only get something in the twenties, but the only reason I know about the MPG's is that there is a billboard on the side of the highway not far from where I live that says
"40 MPG's....
...41 with a good tailwind"
The sizzle in the Steak
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 71,436
Likes: 1,877
From: Southern California
Originally Posted by is300eater
some of you are calling it a "chick car"? All I know is... a bunch of times I've seen guys driving one, with a hawt chick in the passenger seat 
He's out of touch.
Por Favor?
Joined: Nov 2005
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