DumbasSi

I know there are a few Mini owners (Nova) out there and I was hoping I could get some info and opinions from them.

My wife and I are looking for a new Mini to replace my aging 98 Civic. We were holding out for the new 06 Civics, but they SIR is still a few months away. Besides, the lease on our 03 Civic is up next year, so a new Civic is still a possibility.

We both really like the Mini Cooper and we recently test drove a 2005 Mini Cooper with the Premium and Sport packages. I loved the interior and the features/options of the car and even though it has less HP then my Civic, it felt quicker and rode/handled better. We are going to look at the Cooper S later this week, which I would prefer, but they are also alot more $$$.

We are seriously considering getting one and I was looking for some feedback from Mini owners or people who have driven one or know someone who has one.

Any problems or issues? How are the maintenance costs?

imported_SiR_YO

well I replied to your thread on SOMC... personally I've never driven the cooper... just the cooper S .. cuz I was lookin into them too and for me it woudl be the S or nothing.. I was even planning on the JCW package.. but it's like $7000 more... if you liked the base cooper that much then you will absolutely fall in love with the S ... do I think it's worth the extra $? you bet... as you saw on SOMC mini's are pretty reliable (contrary to belief)... I'd say hold out until the civics come and see how you like those first before making a concrete decision

The G2 Racer

I've driven a base Cooper and loved it. Reminded me a lot of my old hatch in the way it handles. Handling is awesome for a stock car. The base has some pep to it though I'm sure it's nothing compared to the S which I've yet to drive.

The new Minis are awesome.
As was said on CSi Humorless has owned 2 of them so they've gotta be doing something right with the cars.

Nova_Dust

The MCC we have is great. And you are correct, with as little as 125HP, somehow, they feel quicker. Maybe due to the 6 speed tranny (even with auto).

Car is solid, just like your average BMW. At stock form taking a little corner or passing on highway is not a problem. I don't know how much power you want but for our family, it is enough.

imported_whosyodaddy16

ive been looking at them for awhile, they sure seem to retain their value, i cant find one for under 19,000$

HamiltonsIsuzu

id go for the s, i dont like my freinds base model

has anyone felt how 4th and reverse are weird in placement, when parking , 4th feels like reverse

imported_sharper

They are a cool little car to drive, great handling and interior. But i think they are overpriced.

imported_Shazza

cant remember if i test drove the base model or the s. but whichever one it was, it was friggin awesome man! at 1st i kinda was against them, but SiR_YO convinced me to test drive one of them and i was laffing the whole time. they are quick...the pick up is pretty fast and u dont even notice it. and the handling is wicked. and the inside is not as small as u would expect...it has a pretty decent sized interior. i definitely wouldnt mind having one of thoese babies.

Gunmetalef

went for test drive in S handles well quick,. awsome vehicle.. i'd buy one.. i considered it but i dont want to finance man.. damnit

zeeman

iTrader: (1)

i'd hate to be the one who has to work on those....especially the cooper S. Ever seen under the hood? Not much space for anything under there.
Otherwise, IMO its a decent car.

Nova_Dust

As for interior room, if I may add, that I can sit up straight in the back and my head won't touch the roof (in MCC), and I am close to 6 feet.

It is just the trunk space sucks, but for those who buy MC, trunk space is the least of their concerns.

If you could, go with MCC. Maybe because that is our first convertable ever and we love it so much. I will see if I can bring it to a meet one day.

Double_B

My brother has the base, and he loves it. Lives in Montreal so driving is really different there than here (hell of a lot more potholes). He has owned two tegs before that (89 and 94) I think by far he loves this one the best out of all his cars

Younes Si

that car looks great, but i would wait for the 06 civic then see what's up

The G2 Racer

The interior sucks size wise imo.
I've got lots of room up front. However, no one is sitting behind me.

bbarbulo

iTrader: (2)

Honestly, an average individual (non mechanically inclined) shouldn't own a used german car. I'm sure I'll get blasted for that comment, but the fact remains that their engineering philosopy is diff't from the Japanese. Unless the car is a lease, I wouldn't do it. I would consider leasing it.... but then again if I was leasing, I wouldn't hesitate to buy domestic neither. If you have been spoiled driving Hondas, very few cars will make you happy. Why not an Element or a Pilot... or if you want a small car, wait for the City/Jazz?? Also, not sure I understand the "aging 98 Civic" comment. Yeah it's 7 years old, but at 7 years that bad boy has lots of life left in it. 5 more years at least.

DumbasSi

I knew Bruno would be honest. Having owned used German cars before, I know how unreliable they are and we would only buy a Mini a year or two old at the most with lots of warranty. From most of the Mini owners I have spoken to so far, the cars are very reliable with no major complaints. She wants a lease not a purchase.

It's mostly the wife that wants a new car, not me. I'm only replacing my car because it's older then our 03 and the 03 is leased, so we are kind of stuck with it. She gets the Mini for the most part and I get the 03 Civic while the 98 gets sold or traded in.

We are looking at other cars, but the Mini is the one I know the least about. RSX is a contender and so is the 06 Civic, but the Mini is very nice so far. The only thing that is discouraging me is the price and the possible high cost of ownership. Gas, maintenance, etc.

Double_B

Then go with the civic. When do you have to get the next car? Can you wait a bit for the 06?

DumbasSi

So far on paper the 06 Civic looks awesome. But I'm told by my local Honda dealer that the K20 version won't be available until dec maybe jan. She also likes the Mini because it's very small and easy to drive.

The Mini's also come with some safety/extra features that Honda doesn't offer (traction control, stability control, 6 airbags, run flat tires, HID, leather). I thought it was a wicked ride and I can't wait to drive the Cooper S.

Besides, if I get stuck with the 03 for another year or so until the lease is up, then I can trade it in for a new Civic for me.

Double_B

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh so you are angling the SI for yourself........smooth!

Si98

that's the only thing discouraging me from getting a new car especially when i have a mortgage. you wouldn't believe how fast the bills add up.

don't you have the option to buy the 03 when the lease up? new cars are nice but a pita when it comes to payment time.

anyhow, i read a copy of consumer's report a few months back and it gave the mini cooper an average rating only for reliability. you might want to surf a mini cooper forum or something and get their feedbacks too.