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

[Fritzo]

I'm in the market for a new car after the tragic death of my beloved BMW 330CiC last March. I've been driving our Town & Country to work (*shudder*), and I've just about had it. I'd love to get another BMW, but I want to keep under $15000 as this will be a 3rd car, and if I get another one I'd want a 2007 or higher 335i convertible, and they're too pricey at the moment.

Anyway, my requirements are:
- manual
- convertible
- under 6.5s 0-60
- excellent cornering

So far, the 2006+ Mini Cooper S fits the bill. Anyone own one? What are your experiences? I'm tall "6'4"...will I have any problems fitting?

I'm partial to Chili Pepper Red

8/10/14 Well, now I have this sitting in my driveway and this uncontrollable urge to keep running errands because it's freakin' addictive to drive.

Need more milk honey? I'M ON IT!
Oooo...we need a newspaper! Be right back!
Nails. We're out of nails. I might need some. TO THE HARDWARE STORE!

Now to Ebay to start buying all the mods for it

 

[Zivic]

when I see your list of requirements I'd get an S2000.

for less money, but maybe an issue size wise, I'd get a miata. I think the cooper is fine and all, but get a true convertible if you are going topless

 

[iamwiz82]

Your pic shows an R57 model, but you are talking about an R52 (2006-2008). Different generations, engines, etc.

I have an R56 JCW and love it, it's my 4th MINI.

 

[Drako]

Why are you getting a chick car?

 

[satyajitmenon]

One of the guys with whom I auto-x, he works at a BMW/Mini dealership servicing customer cars... From the stories I've heard from him, I'd stay away from them once out of warranty.

Heck, I'd recommend a BMW out of warranty before a Mini.

How about a 128i 'vert?

 

[smackababy]

I've heard they are terrible at surviving winters; like, they are prone to massive rusting. But, I've never actually researched the matter.

 

[Fritzo]

Why are you getting a chick car?

The one without the hood scoop is the chick car. The S is the one with chest hair

 

[Fritzo]

One of the guys with whom I auto-x, he works at a BMW/Mini dealership servicing customer cars... From the stories I've heard from him, I'd stay away from them once out of warranty.

Heck, I'd recommend a BMW out of warranty before a Mini.

How about a 128i 'vert?

That's another possibility. The problem is I have a problem with "wanna" syndrome, and if I don't get a 335i, I'll spend the whole time in my 328i thinking "I wanna 335i"

Also, I keep seeing reviews like this:

After testing BMW 135i and 335i coupes back-to-back, I can reveal that there are only two good reasons to purchase the smaller, cheaper car. Either you need a track day machine or you're an idiot. Otherwise, spend the extra bucks and buy the 335i coupe.

 

[theeedude]

Get the Mazdaspeed Miata. If you are going to drive a "chick car", might as well get the real RWD roadster.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Horrendous maintenance issues - expensive and prone to transmission failure.

 

[Fritzo]

Get the Mazdaspeed Miata. If you are going to drive a "chick car", might as well get the real RWD roadster.

I can't fit in them. Even tried the '14 model at the autoshow---my butt couldn't even touch the seat with my legs under the dash. S2000 is the same way. Saturn Sky...same deal (the Redline version is awesome too ).

So, Minis I can fit in. I might just say hell with it and spend the extra dough for a 335i though. Love those cars and I find myself yearning to drive one again. There's nothing quite like that weighted steering in a BMW.

Horrendous maintenance issues - expensive and prone to transmission failure.

To be fair, those problems were mostly with the CVT transmission in earlier models. The 2006+ models (esp. manuals) are pretty solid.

 

[tweakmonkey]

I hear the supercharged ones are pretty reliable but the turbo ones explode. My friend had one for a year, sold it and weeks later the new owner had the engine blow up from a timing chain failure ? or something. A friend with a supercharged one has 100k on it and no issues. Another friend had a supercharged one that caught fire and burned to the ground but I don't remember the circumstances.

 

[theeedude]

I can't fit in them. Even tried the '14 model at the autoshow---my butt couldn't even touch the seat with my legs under the dash. S2000 is the same way. Saturn Sky...same deal (the Redline version is awesome too ).

So, Minis I can fit in. I might just say hell with it and spend the extra dough for a 335i though. Love those cars and I find myself yearning to drive one again. There's nothing quite like that weighted steering in a BMW.

How about a new 2015 Mustang convertible? V6 should be around 30K.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

That is one ugly car and will likely have people thinking you're gay. Nothing wrong with being gay if that's your cup of tea.
My fiesta st does 0 to 60 in 6.7, 139 top speed, gets 30mpg average, has all the tech goodies, and cost me 20k with the aggressive rebates Ford is giving on the fiesta right now. It's not a vert though.

 

[JimKiler]

Horrendous maintenance issues - expensive and prone to transmission failure.

Is that why google search has these lawsuit links:

https://www.google.com/webhp?source...3&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=mini cooper lawsuit

 

[Fritzo]

How about a new 2015 Mustang convertible? V6 should be around 30K.

Not a Mustang guy. The interiors of those cars are made from The Cheapest Materials In The Known Universe©", and while the newer ones have a much better suspension than the horse and buggy technology the first couple of generations used, they still don't have the no body roll cornering I like (unless you go up to a Boss 302, but who's going to spend that much on a Mustang?)

Besides, I want something around $15000 ($20000 tops).

That is one ugly car and will likely have people thinking you're gay. Nothing wrong with being gay if that's your cup of tea.
My fiesta st does 0 to 60 in 6.7, 139 top speed, gets 30mpg average, has all the tech goodies, and cost me 20k with the aggressive rebates Ford is giving on the fiesta right now. It's not a vert though.

I LOVE the Fiesta ST. The family loves 'verts though, so it's out. Top notch car though. Ford knocked it out of the park with that one.

Minis are pretty cool looking to most people. To each their own I guess.

 

[Insomniator]

I have an '04 R53 (first gen, supercharged) and its a fun, nice looking car (imo looks better than the r56). Maintenence is a bitch though, lots of problems, none of which are cheap. Tons of aftermarket support and a great community to help you out though.

The r56 is a more refined than the r53, it is quieter, has crap like mood lighting, is a little larger, the interior looks 'bubblier'... less like a go cart... its basically a more girly version of the r53... but true car guys know there is no such thing as a girls car. I test drove a few and just didn't connect with them like I did the 05 and earlier (06 for verts) generation. I know the newer ones are universally considered more reliable though. I would look for a JCW model... I got up to 115 mph in an '05 (on a test drive by myself)... thing was perfect. That car was awesome... chickened out and bought a regular S for a few grand cheaper though. Regret it...

People often say there are better options out there... one's that are RWD, faster, more space, cheaper etc... but I have a feeling there are FEW cars out there that really drive as well as Mini's do.

 

[iamwiz82]

I can't fit in them. Even tried the '14 model at the autoshow---my butt couldn't even touch the seat with my legs under the dash. S2000 is the same way. Saturn Sky...same deal (the Redline version is awesome too ).

So, Minis I can fit in. I might just say hell with it and spend the extra dough for a 335i though. Love those cars and I find myself yearning to drive one again. There's nothing quite like that weighted steering in a BMW.

Out of my 335 and my MINI, the MINI gets more miles put on it. It's a fun car to throw around. Not the same power output but it is significantly more confident at speed in a corner.

 

[satyajitmenon]

I LOVE the Fiesta ST. The family loves 'verts though, so it's out.

Fiesta ST + Sawzall = problem solved

Next question.

 

[silicon]

Horrendous maintenance issues - expensive and prone to transmission failure.

agree...expensive to maintain and trouble prone.

 

[nageov3t]

you live in Northwest Ohio... unless you have a separate car for winter driving, don't do it.

 

[_Rick_]

Z3?
Not sure if you got Z1s over there, and I assume they're hell to keep running these days.
944?
Z4?
Boxster probably too expensive.

As for more recent stuff...did you get the TT in the states?

Of course, none of these are 4-seaters, but that wasn't a requirement you listed

 

[Insomniator]

Z3?
Not sure if you got Z1s over there, and I assume they're hell to keep running these days.
944?
Z4?
Boxster probably too expensive.

As for more recent stuff...did you get the TT in the states?

Of course, none of these are 4-seaters, but that wasn't a requirement you listed

All of those would be worse in maintenance then even a mini... and probably more expensive too.

 

[MongGrel]

Fiesta ST + Sawzall = problem solved

Next question.

:biggrin:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TshFWSsrn8

 

[Midwayman]

That is one ugly car and will likely have people thinking you're gay. Nothing wrong with being gay if that's your cup of tea.

Do people actually worry what their car choice will say about their sexuality? Seems more their issue than mine.