Thinking of getting a Mini Cooper S. Talk me out of it. EDIT: U GUYS FAILED

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Fritzo

Lifer
Jan 3, 2001
41,920
2,161
126
Lol imho the 328 is more manly than any mini..
Mini looks cute.. 3 series looks more refined

Now if he had gotten a miata...

I just plain can not fit in a Miata. Being tall really limits the amount of cars you can choose from. I've also loved the Saturn Sky Redlines, but I can't even get my legs until the wheel. :(
 

z0mb13

Lifer
May 19, 2002
18,106
1
76
I just plain can not fit in a Miata. Being tall really limits the amount of cars you can choose from. I've also loved the Saturn Sky Redlines, but I can't even get my legs until the wheel. :(


Sucks to be too tall for cars.. The mini must be very cramped for u as well
 

Fritzo

Lifer
Jan 3, 2001
41,920
2,161
126
Sucks to be too tall for cars.. The mini must be very cramped for u as well

That's just it. People think that, but it's not true. I'm completely serious when I say someone that is 7' tall could comfortably fit in the front seats of a Mini. I only have to put the seats back about half way.

The back seats are meant for someone 5' tall or less however.
 
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exar333

Diamond Member
Feb 7, 2004
8,518
8
91
My wife wanted either a convertible Mini or the Beetle. I let her spec out whatever she wants, but insisted she get the TDI. At least the powertrain is reliable and gets good MPGs, and I was impressed with the EA288 TDI w/ 6MT transmission. It was fun to drive and had plenty of torque. The Mini feels 'lighter on it's feet' but is just too much of a 'wild card' for a long-term commitment (she wants to keep the car forever :p). If it was just a 3-year lease, that would be different.

OP - enjoy the car! I do agree that you can have 4 real adults in a Mini and it's not uncomfortable. I wouldn't want it for a long trip, but it doesn't require amputees either. :)
 

SearchMaster

Diamond Member
Jun 6, 2002
7,791
114
106
Congrats Fritzo, I've always liked the Minis. In some ways they're overly quirky but have great character and a great fun factor.

I like the color more than the red too :)
 

Fritzo

Lifer
Jan 3, 2001
41,920
2,161
126
My wife wanted either a convertible Mini or the Beetle. I let her spec out whatever she wants, but insisted she get the TDI. At least the powertrain is reliable and gets good MPGs, and I was impressed with the EA288 TDI w/ 6MT transmission. It was fun to drive and had plenty of torque. The Mini feels 'lighter on it's feet' but is just too much of a 'wild card' for a long-term commitment (she wants to keep the car forever :p). If it was just a 3-year lease, that would be different.

OP - enjoy the car! I do agree that you can have 4 real adults in a Mini and it's not uncomfortable. I wouldn't want it for a long trip, but it doesn't require amputees either. :)

The new Turbo Beetles actually look like older Porsche 911s. Unfortunately VW completely forgot what a Beetle is supposed to represent. The result is a vehicle that is not the best if anything and relying on a customer to purchase one on based on looks or nostalgia.

They can look pretty cool though:
beetle-black.jpg
 
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pauldun170

Diamond Member
Sep 26, 2011
9,512
5,739
136
The new Turbo Beetles actually look like older Porsche 911s. Unfortunately VW completely forgot what a Beetle is supposed to represent. The result is a vehicle that is not the best if anything and relying on a customer to purchase one on based on looks or nostalgia.

They can look pretty cool though:
52849d1233635129-awesome-2001-new-beetle-glx-turbo-mynb-vi.jpg


Saw that picture and the first thing I thought was "Fat girl selfie angle"
 

exar333

Diamond Member
Feb 7, 2004
8,518
8
91
Saw that picture and the first thing I thought was "Fat girl selfie angle"

:thumbsup:

FYI - that is the 'previous gen' New Beetle vs. the current Beetle. The 'New Beetle is old', the Beetle is new, got it? LOL
 

Fritzo

Lifer
Jan 3, 2001
41,920
2,161
126
:thumbsup:

FYI - that is the 'previous gen' New Beetle vs. the current Beetle. The 'New Beetle is old', the Beetle is new, got it? LOL

Sorry. I was on an iPad and had a copy/paste failure. The above pic is the proper one.
 

Fritzo

Lifer
Jan 3, 2001
41,920
2,161
126
Like the color! I'm 6' 4" too - how are you fitting in it?

LOL- I'm going to make a video later of me getting in it. I've probably been asked 10 times in the last 24 hours how I can fit in it. It will fit someone 7' tall easily. I can't even put the seat all the way back or my legs won't reach the pedals.
 

Remobz

Platinum Member
Jun 9, 2005
2,564
37
91
They look cool but where I live that is pure suicide and very expensive to drive such a small vehicle with small tires. Even if I was given one for free I would pass on it.

Good to look at but not practical for bad roads.
 

iamwiz82

Lifer
Jan 10, 2001
30,772
13
81
They look cool but where I live that is pure suicide and very expensive to drive such a small vehicle with small tires. Even if I was given one for free I would pass on it.

Good to look at but not practical for bad roads.

I'm in Detroit and drive all the time on bad roads without issues. It's all in how you maneuver around them.


Regarding the seats. I'm 5'9" and if I put the seat all the way back I cannot engage the clutch, actually I barely touch it.
 

Leyawiin

Diamond Member
Nov 11, 2008
3,204
52
91
LOL- I'm going to make a video later of me getting in it. I've probably been asked 10 times in the last 24 hours how I can fit in it. It will fit someone 7' tall easily. I can't even put the seat all the way back or my legs won't reach the pedals.

I've only seen one small car I couldn't move the seat all the way back in - a rental Chevy Cruze (snore). Good to know there's another.
 

Insomniator

Diamond Member
Oct 23, 2002
6,294
171
106
Mini's have plenty of space for tall people in the front. Nice car, I like the blue better than the red.

Now get to modding!
 

Remobz

Platinum Member
Jun 9, 2005
2,564
37
91
I'm in Detroit and drive all the time on bad roads without issues. It's all in how you maneuver around them.


Regarding the seats. I'm 5'9" and if I put the seat all the way back I cannot engage the clutch, actually I barely touch it.

Well, you don't live where I live:( Trust me that car is suicide here. I know because one supermarket here had a redbull promotional one like yours. Always in the mechanic shop.

If you come visit me here you would understand trust me:)
 

Fritzo

Lifer
Jan 3, 2001
41,920
2,161
126
Well, you don't live where I live:( Trust me that car is suicide here. I know because one supermarket here had a redbull promotional one like yours. Always in the mechanic shop.

If you come visit me here you would understand trust me:)

I Googled your home:

moon-crater_lg.jpg
 

Fritzo

Lifer
Jan 3, 2001
41,920
2,161
126
Did my first mod yesterday. The stereo in Minis sounds terrible, despite having pretty decent drivers...IN THE BACK SEATS. The front speakers are tiny, lifeless coffee saucers.

These speakers are nearly at ear level with the front passengers, so someone came up with a front/rear channel swap mod. WOW! What a difference! I went from a 1950's radio sound to getting some thump & pump going :)

If anyone owns a Mini and wants to do this, it takes less than an hour and you get unbelievable results:

http://www.northamericanmotoring.co...quency-response-front-and-rear-non-hi-fi.html
 

Fritzo

Lifer
Jan 3, 2001
41,920
2,161
126
Did a quick mod this week. My car didn't come with a Homelink remote to open our garage door, so I bought a $25 module off of eBay and spliced into the maplight 12v power. A little dremmel work and now I have this:

rxAKwtS.jpg


Easy install and saved $400 on the Homelink rearview mirror upgrade.

You can add these things to any car, so if you need an OEM Homelink remote, get to it :)

mSP_4g7Rxp4l9VKqNTl6nDQ.jpg
 

Thump553

Lifer
Jun 2, 2000
12,839
2,625
136
Congrats. The last time I was shopping new cars I test drove a Mini. Funnest thing I've driven since a go-kart as a kid. Unfortunately it wasn't practical and too pricey for my situation.