Getting a new car, leaning towards a Mini-Cooper S

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: swtethan

Originally posted by: CadetLee

Originally posted by: OCNewbie
I want go-kart like handling with good power =) Of the above mentioned alternative cars, are any of them close to the Mini in terms of build quality, handling, and power?

Also, doesn't BMW make Mini? Wouldn't that say a lot of good things about their quality?

You could get a pristine low mileage supercharged MR2 for about $20,000 less than your budget...

which would break down in 3 days

I think that may be the first time I've ever heard anyone say that about a Toyota.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: nakedfrog

Originally posted by: swtethan

Originally posted by: CadetLee

Originally posted by: OCNewbie
I want go-kart like handling with good power =) Of the above mentioned alternative cars, are any of them close to the Mini in terms of build quality, handling, and power?

Also, doesn't BMW make Mini? Wouldn't that say a lot of good things about their quality?

You could get a pristine low mileage supercharged MR2 for about $20,000 less than your budget...

which would break down in 3 days

I think that may be the first time I've ever heard anyone say that about a Toyota.

Actually 2000-01 MR2 have a significant problem with early engine failure due to pre-cats breaking apart and then being sucked into the exhaust manifold at startup.

 

[serialkiller]

Originally posted by: C'DaleRider
But from what I've been reading, while the Mini is a fun car, its reliability rating is terrible.

I've talked to a guy that owned one and he said that alot of mini's get camber problems.... this can lead to alot of money invested since the mini's use the runflat tires which are like $500 for 1 tire from the dealer (prolly can find them cheaper else where).... something to look into...

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Actually 2000-01 MR2 have a significant problem with early engine failure due to pre-cats breaking apart and then being sucked into the exhaust manifold at startup.

That sure sucks. I was thinking he was talking about one of the 80s ones, though.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: serialkiller

Originally posted by: C'DaleRider
But from what I've been reading, while the Mini is a fun car, its reliability rating is terrible.

I've talked to a guy that owned one and he said that alot of mini's get camber problems.... this can lead to alot of money invested since the mini's use the runflat tires which are like $500 for 1 tire from the dealer (prolly can find them cheaper else where).... something to look into...

Camber only comes into play if you start half-assing the suspension. If all you do is put $200 springs in there then you will have issues, but you can buy camber plates if you are serious about modifications. Most boy racers arent and then bitch when their 50 cent solutions fail.

And OEM run flats are $147 a piece, straight from the dealer.

 

[toekramp]

I've had two friends with mini's, both sold them after a year because of all the problems.

 

[alien42]

Originally posted by: OCNewbie
I want go-kart like handling with good power =) Of the above mentioned alternative cars, are any of them close to the Mini in terms of build quality, handling, and power?

Also, doesn't BMW make Mini? Wouldn't that say a lot of good things about their quality?

bmw does own mini but cooper is really the company that makes them. calling a mini a bmw is like calling an astin martin a ford.

and of course you cant go wrong with an acura (i drive a honda)

speaking of a rsx-s, this is a hot deal

 

[Leejai]

From a 05 Cooper owner, do it just for the 5 year free maintenance...the fun of driving, etc are all just extra perks.

 

[Lola]

I love our Cooper S. I am not the one to "work on it" but it is a fantastic car and a blast to drive. I have never really been "into" cars, but driving this really does make me happy.

 

[mitmot]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
be sure to get the testicle option if you go with that chick car

truth.

 

[CtK]

how about the new Honda Civic Si??

 

[jlee]

Originally posted by: nakedfrog

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Actually 2000-01 MR2 have a significant problem with early engine failure due to pre-cats breaking apart and then being sucked into the exhaust manifold at startup.

That sure sucks. I was thinking he was talking about one of the 80s ones, though.

The only factory supercharged MR2s were in the 80s, so you are correct.

 

[thomsbrain]

Originally posted by: jpeyton
For $25k, I would get the Pontiac Solstice or the Saturn Sky. If I'm going to buy a small, fun driving car, it might as well be a convertible.

i'll take a BMW over a pontiac, any day, any way, period.

 

[EatSpam]

One of my coworkers has a '05 Mini Cooper S with the manual. He's very happy with his.

 

[thomsbrain]

Originally posted by: alien42

Originally posted by: OCNewbie
I want go-kart like handling with good power =) Of the above mentioned alternative cars, are any of them close to the Mini in terms of build quality, handling, and power?

Also, doesn't BMW make Mini? Wouldn't that say a lot of good things about their quality?

bmw does own mini but cooper is really the company that makes them. calling a mini a bmw is like calling an astin martin a ford.

and of course you cant go wrong with an acura (i drive a honda)

speaking of a rsx-s, this is a hot deal

but it was designed by BMW, regardless. i own a honda, too, but i'd still take the Mini S over the RSX.

 

[OCNewbie]

Went in today, will take about 8-10 weeks to have one specially made if that's the route I chose to go. I was debating between the auto & the stick, and I think I'm going for the stick. Afterall, I think in large part I'm going to go with a Mini for the fun factor, and in "most" scenarios, the stick seems like it'd be a lot more fun. I'm sure in heavy, slow-moving traffic it'll be a bit of a nuisance, but unlikely enough so that I'll regret getting the manual.

 

[Jeraden]

I drive a Mini Cooper S, manual. I've had it for 5 months now and still love it. No problems. I knew if I got anything else I'd always regret it and wished I had gotten the Mini instead.

 

[SupaDupaCheez]

Are the '06's really $25K? My '04 Cooper S was less than $23k out the door with no trade-in and I added Stripes and the MoonRoof options. I also had to wait 10 weeks to get it but damn it was worth it! 40k miles later I'm still lovin' it. Bought mine at Classic Mini in Mentor Ohio and they were absolutely great.

One thing....they do use run-flats and you do need to take care of any alignment issues quick (don't ask ). Not sure what they cost at the dealer (no way they could be $500!!! each) but I got a pair from Tire Rack (exactly the same tires as stock) and they were just over $300 shipped total.

Anyway......have fun!

PS: Here's some pics of my Cooper S and my Mom's Cooper (among other things)
My Cars

 

[Future Shock]

The Mini has the most character you can get in a small car - and ALSO one of the highest resale values possible. The S is certainly not a chick car - way too fast, and way too aggressive handling to be called that.

The other factor is safety - and crash testing has shown that (due to all of that BMW know-how) it's also the safest small sports car out there. If you are going to be in something small, and be hit, then the Mini is your best choice.

The Japanese cars will be more reliable - that's a fact. The Japanese options will also be somewhat fun to drive, they may also be fast...but they all have a certain sameness, a certain designed-by-committee feel - the exact antithisis of what the Mini represents.

So the choice really comes down to how you percieve yourself and want to be percieved by others: "safe" or "interesting"?

FS

 

[sygyzy]

1. You went from a big V8 manly truck to a Mini?
2. According to the Car and Driver (or was it Edmunds? anyway..) preview, anyone looking for a car in that class and is considering the RSX would be an idiot. The new Civic SI is a no brainer over the RSX.
3. Get the Solstice or Sky.

 

[CVSiN]

Originally posted by: mitmot

Originally posted by: FoBoT
be sure to get the testicle option if you go with that chick car

truth.

you havent seen the 300+ hp kits for the Mini then...

it really is a go cart.

there are 2 minis here in houston pushing well over 300hp with mods.

 

[geckojohn]

is there enough space in the back of the car for storage? how does the mini cooper compare to the rsx on miles/gal?

 

[swtethan]

new? solistice

 

[eflat]

Originally posted by: OCNewbie
I've had the same truck, a 93 Dodge Dakota, for over 10 years now. It's an auto, V8, fairly quick for a truck. I've always driven RWD vehicles, so was a little skeptical about the Mini's front drive setup. I've always loved being able to do fish-tails in dirt roads, or on pavement when I feel like it (though I'm 28 now, and I don't really do it very often these days).

Anyway, I definitely want a car, not a truck. I want something sporty, and something smaller, that is good on gas, and a nimble traffic car. One that can zip me in and out of traffic quickly, that handles well, but is quick enough to pass people if I want/need to.

The Mini Cooper S seems to be just about a perfect fit for this. Good on gas, very go-kart like in it's handling (a plus for me), and from what I hear a blast to drive. A new '06 is gonna run me right around the 25k mark before taxes, etc.

Other than a Mini, and other than an '06 MX-5/Miata (test drove one of those, didn't like it compared to the Mini, felt much slower, and was loud, not a fan of the ragtops), can anyone suggest a car that is medium to small in size, good on gas, good handling, fast, and not terribly expensive, and built well? I heard Mini's are basically BMW's, and that they're high-quality and built well, anybody know otherwise?

Any comments will be much appreciated. This will be the first new car I've ever owned, and I want to make sure I'm making the wisest decision for the long haul. I'll probably have this car a minimum of 5+ years.

**DOH, almost forgot, this will be my daily driven car, my only vehicle. I'm debating between the 6-speed manual & the 6-speed auto with the paddle-shifters. I've never owned a manually shifted car, but I know how to shift. Just wondering if the 6-speed auto in the Cooper S is a really slick unit, that won't really sacrifice performance. I think the manual will definitely increase the fun factor, so I'm probably leaning more towards those. I just hear of huge annoyance factors with manuals when in heavy, slow-moving traffic. Though I'm not often in that situation.

Oh, and I'm not interested in a soft-top convertible. I don't like the noise factor.

hell yeah that is a sweet sweet ride.

 

[Fenixgoon]

Originally posted by: thomsbrain

Originally posted by: jpeyton
For $25k, I would get the Pontiac Solstice or the Saturn Sky. If I'm going to buy a small, fun driving car, it might as well be a convertible.

i'll take a BMW over a pontiac, any day, any way, period.

except for the fact that you'll be spending $10k more to get it