Do you have a Mini Cooper? Tell me all about it.

[DawnM]

We test drove many ho hum cars this weekend. We walked away with an "eh, its a car" response.

Then I talked DH into going to the Mini dealer. I am puffy heart in love.

We are researching all sorts of things about it......crash test ratings, reliability ratings on different models and years, mileage, etc.....

If you have one, which model do you have? Do you wish you had gotten a different model? Do you love yours? What do you love about it?

I will try to be nice, but really, if you have nothing good to say or want to berate my choice, I am not listening.

 

[Melissakay1q]

MINI was my dream car and I finally got one a few years ago. I had a Clubman. It was so much fun to drive! It handled great, got great gas mileage and I loved that it would warn you if anything needed looked into like service or even if the tires were low. The run flat tires made me feel safe. The interior lights that could be set to different colors could be set to rainbow mode so they'd cycle through each color continuously. That was fun.

Even with the Clubman, room in the backseat was an issue. Once we added a baby to our family, it was just too cramped to keep. Maintenance was expensive as well as the run flats.

 

[BunsenH]

I have a 2008 S Convertible. Like this:

http://data:image/jpeg;base64,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

It's probably the best car of the 7 that I have owned since 1976(?). Fun to drive....looks great......very reliable. The run-flat tires are OK, but make for a harsher ride.

 

[jdb in AZ]

Even with the Clubman, room in the backseat was an issue. Once we added a baby to our family, it was just too cramped to keep. Maintenance was expensive as well as the run flats.

DD had a Mini Cooper and absolutely loved it. That was pre-kids so out of necessity she switched to a mini-van. She has her heart set on buying another Mini Cooper when the kids are grown.

FWIW, the mini held its value well.

 

[DawnM]

MINI was my dream car and I finally got one a few years ago. I had a Clubman. It was so much fun to drive! It handled great, got great gas mileage and I loved that it would warn you if anything needed looked into like service or even if the tires were low. The run flat tires made me feel safe. The interior lights that could be set to different colors could be set to rainbow mode so they'd cycle through each color continuously. That was fun.

Even with the Clubman, room in the backseat was an issue. Once we added a baby to our family, it was just too cramped to keep. Maintenance was expensive as well as the run flats.

Thanks. Yeah, I don't see this as a car as any kind of kids' carpool or anything. This is for me to commute mostly, but I am so short that when I test drove it, even my husband could sit (ok, a bit uncomfortably, but he could put his legs down) even in the base Cooper 2 door.

Now that the kids are older and getting their own licenses, etc....I want a fun car again.

 

[Adipoo]

We currently have a Countryman and a Paceman. My husband liked the two door style. Plenty of room for passengers in both and more than ample space for groceries, luggage, etc.

I started with the Mini Cooper soon after it was introduced here. Followed that by a Countryman the first year it came out, then I switched to a pepper white roadster (not the regular convertible, a true 2 seater). Loved that car but joint issues kind of made it hard to get in and out of, so earlier this year I switched back to a new Countryman.

We haven't had any major issues with any of them, but we don't keep them long. I tend to get a new model, new color, whenever it comes along. I'm a bad, bad girl, I guess. And a Mini girl!! I don't see ever wanting another kind of car.

 

[DawnM]

We currently have a Countryman and a Paceman. My husband liked the two door style. Plenty of room for passengers in both and more than ample space for groceries, luggage, etc.

I started with the Mini Cooper soon after it was introduced here. Followed that by a Countryman the first year it came out, then I switched to a pepper white roadster (not the regular convertible, a true 2 seater). Loved that car but joint issues kind of made it hard to get in and out of, so earlier this year I switched back to a new Countryman.

We haven't had any major issues with any of them, but we don't keep them long. I tend to get a new model, new color, whenever it comes along. I'm a bad, bad girl, I guess. And a Mini girl!! I don't see ever wanting another kind of car.

I will just follow you around and buy yours when you are finished!

 

[Squirlz]

Ours are 2005s so they don't much relate to what they make now. But we love them and the company, and like I said before, they come with an entire lifestyle and community. There are several national gatherings every year. We go to one called MINIs On The Dragon every Spring. It's down in the southern foothills of the Smoky mountains and it draws about 8-900 MINIs from all over the country. It's where my Wife and I began our relationship.

I know a lot about the new ones and how they are designed for fun. That's something that has never changed over the years.

 

[DawnM]

Ours are 2005s so they don't much relate to what they make now. But we love them and the company, and like I said before, they come with an entire lifestyle and community. There are several national gatherings every year. We go to one called MINIs On The Dragon every Spring. It's down in the southern foothills of the Smoky mountains and it draws about 8-900 MINIs from all over the country. It's where my Wife and I began our relationship.

I know a lot about the new ones and how they are designed for fun. That's something that has never changed over the years.

Wow. I had no idea.

 

[North of Mouse]

We test drove many ho hum cars this weekend. We walked away with an "eh, its a car" response.

Then I talked DH into going to the Mini dealer. I am puffy heart in love.

We are researching all sorts of things about it......crash test ratings, reliability ratings on different models and years, mileage, etc.....

If you have one, which model do you have? Do you wish you had gotten a different model? Do you love yours? What do you love about it?

I will try to be nice, but really, if you have nothing good to say or want to berate my choice, I am not listening.

Have a good friend that has owned two, but she is single. First a two door, now recently a four door - absolutely loves them. It's always been a dream of dh's but now he decided he's more into comfort MKX Lincoln style.

'Only' issue with the mini is the ride - not the smoothest. Haven't met anyone that didn't like them. Go for it!!!!!

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Have you looked at the Volvo C30? They've recently been discontinued, but I know you're considering used. I was briefly smitten with Minis, but found I could buy a C30 comparably equipped for similar money & IMO it was not only a nicer car, but more fun to boot (much more power).

 

[DawnM]

Have you looked at the Volvo C30? They've recently been discontinued, but I know you're considering used. I was briefly smitten with Minis, but found I could buy a C30 comparably equipped for similar money & IMO it was not only a nicer car, but more fun to boot (much more power).

I will take a look. I just looked briefly and it doesn't look that cute to me, the dash looks like any other dash. I don't really care as much about power, although DH doesn't want me to get a 3 cyl. Mini. I honestly don't care.

 

[Squirlz]

If you like that kind of thing a MINI can change your life. We have hundreds of friends thanks to MINI. People from all walks of life who have one thing in common. A passion for MINIs. I've owned lots of cars and haven't seen anything else like it. This is a picture of former Vice President of MINI USA Jim McDowell hanging out with us at MINIs On The Dragon in 2013. There is no President, he was the top dawg. He loved to hang out with his people at the big events. He's been a friend of ours since 2006. How many car companies can you say that about?

 

[Gumbo4x4]

If you like that kind of thing a MINI can change your life. We have hundreds of friends thanks to MINI. People from all walks of life who have one thing in common. A passion for MINIs. I've owned lots of cars and haven't seen anything else like it. This is a picture of former Vice President of MINI USA Jim McDowell hanging out with us at MINIs On The Dragon in 2013. There is no President, he was the top dawg. He loved to hang out with his people at the big events. He's been a friend of ours since 2006. How many car companies can you say that about?

View attachment 205450

Jeep

 

[DawnM]

If you like that kind of thing a MINI can change your life. We have hundreds of friends thanks to MINI. People from all walks of life who have one thing in common. A passion for MINIs. I've owned lots of cars and haven't seen anything else like it. This is a picture of former Vice President of MINI USA Jim McDowell hanging out with us at MINIs On The Dragon in 2013. There is no President, he was the top dawg. He loved to hang out with his people at the big events. He's been a friend of ours since 2006. How many car companies can you say that about?

View attachment 205450

That is great!

Oh, and wanna hear why I like the Countryman the best? Because the dash has a Mickey shape! I told DH I want a red one, with a white top, and black trim, just like a Mickey Mouse. Quite sure that was one of his biggest eye rolls!

 

[AC7179]

We got my daughter one when she was 16. She liked it a lot, but when she was in college she parked at the hospital to do her clinicals, a big rain came, and the water rose and flooded the bottom of the car and totaled it. It was unfortunate.

 

[Squirlz]

That is great!

Oh, and wanna hear why I like the Countryman the best? Because the dash has a Mickey shape! I told DH I want a red one, with a white top, and black trim, just like a Mickey Mouse. Quite sure that was one of his biggest eye rolls!

If we were to get another one it would be a Countryman. I drove one that a friend of mine had all hopped up, lowered, more power, sticky tires...that thing rocked! Here's a video:

 

[Shutterbug]

If you like that kind of thing a MINI can change your life. We have hundreds of friends thanks to MINI. People from all walks of life who have one thing in common. A passion for MINIs. I've owned lots of cars and haven't seen anything else like it. This is a picture of former Vice President of MINI USA Jim McDowell hanging out with us at MINIs On The Dragon in 2013. There is no President, he was the top dawg. He loved to hang out with his people at the big events. He's been a friend of ours since 2006. How many car companies can you say that about?

Jeep

Subaru

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Subaru

Not even close

 

[Shutterbug]

Not even close

Thats cause you never owned a WRX/ STI'. lol I always get a wave from other wrx drivers. I have come out of a store to find one has parked to mine. I havent owned another vehicle with that type of camaraderie.