Why are people buying the mini-Cooper?

[Regs]

The car is fast, mostly because I weigh more than the car itself. But my head will be sticking outside the roof, just a tad to tiny for me.

 

[Sir Fredrick]

I love small, responsive cars that handle well.

My favorite car to drive was an old BMW (don't remember the model name, sorry...I'm not a car guy), except for all the problems that it had, it was going to cost me my life savings to get it to pass inspection, so I only kept it for a month.

The Neon is also a fun car, but uncomfortable for long trips.

I currently have a Chevy Prizm (Read: Toyota Corolla), which I chose because it's small, handles well, and is fairly responsive (when nobody else is in the car and the AC is off, haha), and it had enough trunk space for me to fit all my stuff in there, because I was moving from MA to MI, and then from MI to FL. I'm happy with this car but I think I would really love a Mini....and I don't plan on moving across any state lines again.

 

[thebestMAX]

Either you get it or you dont.

I remember when they were really hot for their time. If I had Jay Lenos money I would definately have one in my stable. I like the Tiburon too, so there!

 

[boyRacer]

Originally posted by: Sir Fredrick
I love small, responsive cars that handle well.

My favorite car to drive was an old BMW (don't remember the model name, sorry...I'm not a car guy), except for all the problems that it had, it was going to cost me my life savings to get it to pass inspection, so I only kept it for a month.

The Neon is also a fun car, but uncomfortable for long trips.

I currently have a Chevy Prizm (Read: Toyota Corolla), which I chose because it's small, handles well, and is fairly responsive (when nobody else is in the car and the AC is off, haha), and it had enough trunk space for me to fit all my stuff in there, because I was moving from MA to MI, and then from MI to FL. I'm happy with this car but I think I would really love a Mini....and I don't plan on moving across any state lines again.

2002?

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: thebestMAX
Either you get it or you dont.

I remember when they were really hot for their time. If I had Jay Lenos money I would definately have one in my stable. I like the Tiburon too, so there!

Did you see it a couple of months ago when Jay Leno and Katie Couric switched jobs for a day and Jay was on the Today Show?? He was spinning a Mini Cooper S around in "The Plaza" outside of the studio. The Cooper S even got HIS respect and he's a diehard car nut.

 

[Red Dawn]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
I can see what the fuss is all about after seeing The Italian Job (good movie BTW).

However bang for your buck and as a daily commuter the Subaru WRX > Mini Cooper

Yeah but the WRX is so damned ugly.

 

[jaeger66]

Originally posted by: NFS4

And what do you drive?

93 Explorer, 178,000 miles. I think I washed it back in '99 sometime, but I don't remember. I really don't understand "car people" in general, most of them are having heated discussions about things they can never hope to afford. But hey, I'm sure the general population doesn't understand why a Zalman 7000AlCu is cool so whatever floats your boat. The Cooper, however, is a little different. It's a car that anyone can afford yet it's still grossly overpriced. If you're a person who can walk into the dealership and write a check for 18K then fine, I'm sure it will be an amusing toy for a week or two. But for someone who's actually buying their everyday vehicle... I just don't see how it adds up.

 

[boyRacer]

Originally posted by: jaeger66

Originally posted by: NFS4

And what do you drive?

93 Explorer, 178,000 miles. I think I washed it back in '99 sometime, but I don't remember. I really don't understand "car people" in general, most of them are having heated discussions about things they can never hope to afford. But hey, I'm sure the general population doesn't understand why a Zalman 7000AlCu is cool so whatever floats your boat. The Cooper, however, is a little different. It's a car that anyone can afford yet it's still grossly overpriced. If you're a person who can walk into the dealership and write a check for 18K then fine, I'm sure it will be an amusing toy for a week or two. But for someone who's actually buying their everyday vehicle... I just don't see how it adds up.

it would be fine for me since i don't need all that space really... but i'll be screwed when the times comes that i do.

 

[boyRacer]

DP.

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: jaeger66

Originally posted by: NFS4

And what do you drive?

93 Explorer, 178,000 miles. I think I washed it back in '99 sometime, but I don't remember. I really don't understand "car people" in general, most of them are having heated discussions about things they can never hope to afford. But hey, I'm sure the general population doesn't understand why a Zalman 7000AlCu is cool so whatever floats your boat. The Cooper, however, is a little different. It's a car that anyone can afford yet it's still grossly overpriced. If you're a person who can walk into the dealership and write a check for 18K then fine, I'm sure it will be an amusing toy for a week or two. But for someone who's actually buying their everyday vehicle... I just don't see how it adds up.

Hey, I have a Zalman 7000 Al-Cu

How many $18,000 cars have all of these features:

AC
Run-flat tires
Side air bags
Front and rear head curtain airbags
ABS
Traction Control
Power everything (including one-touch windows)
6-speaker CD system

Not many, if any at all. To say that the Cooper S is overpriced is borderline lunacy b/c you get quite a bit of fun for your money. It handles on rails and it gets great gas mileage. And if you don't transport a lot of people in your car, fold down the rear seats and you have PLENTY of room to haul stuff if you need too.

Like I said, you either have no clue or you are just bitter to say that the car is overpriced. The Mini Cooper S is roughly the same price as all of those other pocket rockets out there (Neon SRT-4, MazdaSpeed Protoge, Focus SVT, etc.) but it comes with a lot more value for the money not to mention the the quality of the auto is greater than all of the aforementioned competitors.

Like theBestmax stated up above, you either get it or you don't. You obviously DON'T

 

[thebestMAX]

NFS4-

No, Im sorry to say I missed that. Dont watch a lot of TV unless I know what is going to be on.

All I do remember about the Coopers was when they were racing and beating everything in sight. Got the hots for one now I have to admit but Im still a fan of brute acceleration so the LS1 will have to do. Poor me.

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: Wag
I honestly have no experience with the car, other than what I've seen of it. If it's as good as people say I might have to take it for a test-drive. Thanks.

One element does seem a bit scary to me- with all the big cars on the US highways, how safe is this car?

The biggest myth about cars is that the bigger the safer. It's simply not true.
Mini Cooper is Insurance Institute for Highway Safety "Best Pick"

edit: oops, fixed link

 

[Cat]

Don't dis the Minis. I have two in my garage, and you might hurt their feelings.

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: Vic

Originally posted by: Wag
I honestly have no experience with the car, other than what I've seen of it. If it's as good as people say I might have to take it for a test-drive. Thanks.

One element does seem a bit scary to me- with all the big cars on the US highways, how safe is this car?

The biggest myth about cars is that the bigger the safer. It's simply not true.
Mini Cooper is Insurance Institute for Highway Safety "Best Pick"

">http://www.hwysafety.org/vehicle_ratings/ce/html/0222.htm[/S</a>

Fixed Link

And a real-life testimate to the Mini's safety:

http://autoweek.com/cat_content.mv?port_code=autoweek&cat_code=coverstory&loc_code=index&content_code=09353846

 

[GTaudiophile]

Originally posted by: newbiepcuser
Maybe its a trendy thing, just like the Miatas, VW Bug and PT Cruisers when they rolled out. The market will be flooded with them eventually and another car manufacture will come out something "unique". Then people will jump on this one.

Don't dare dis the Miata unless you've driven one! It's already scored its chapter in automotive history, and the design really hasn't even changed since 1989!

Design a reliable, good-looking car that puts a smile on your face, and it's money in the bank. Simple as that. BMW knew that once, but I think they've forgotten.

 

[ElFenix]

note: folding down the rear seats doesn't gain you any space you didn't have before

 

[Chaotic42]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile

Don't dare dis the Miata unless you've driven one! It's already scored its chapter in automotive history, and the design really hasn't even changed since 1989!

Design a reliable, good-looking car that puts a smile on your face, and it's money in the bank. Simple as that. BMW knew that once, but I think they've forgotten.

I drove one once. My knees were around the wheel. Way too cramped in the cabin.

 

[newbiepcuser]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile

Originally posted by: newbiepcuser
Maybe its a trendy thing, just like the Miatas, VW Bug and PT Cruisers when they rolled out. The market will be flooded with them eventually and another car manufacture will come out something "unique". Then people will jump on this one.

Don't dare dis the Miata unless you've driven one! It's already scored its chapter in automotive history, and the design really hasn't even changed since 1989!

Design a reliable, good-looking car that puts a smile on your face, and it's money in the bank. Simple as that. BMW knew that once, but I think they've forgotten.

Where did I diss the Miata, I've never driven one or thought about buying one cause it would never suit my needs. I said maybe its a trendy thing, cause I'm not hardcore car enthusiats like some you guys who take things to heart to much. I live in S. Cali and anybody who lives here knows its bumper to bumper at times. Crap happens, if i get into an accident I want to live. I'm truck person and probably always be. Besides a Miata wouldn't look "cool" with bike rack on the back.


I don't see as many Miatas here in S. Cali compared to new Zs or the mini Cooper.

 

[LongCoolMother]

so hows it compare to VW GTI VR6?

 

[Ns1]

it's quite a fun car to drive

one of the funnest driving moments i've ever had was in a mini cooper s (and i've driven alot of cars)

it's a street legal gokart, and if you got the john works cooper package, it's a street legal gokart with 200hp

BTW bishes you can't complain about anything other than looks unless you have actually driven one.

 

[tnitsuj]

Originally posted by: Vic

Originally posted by: Wag
I honestly have no experience with the car, other than what I've seen of it. If it's as good as people say I might have to take it for a test-drive. Thanks.

One element does seem a bit scary to me- with all the big cars on the US highways, how safe is this car?

The biggest myth about cars is that the bigger the safer. It's simply not true.
Mini Cooper is Insurance Institute for Highway Safety "Best Pick"

edit: oops, fixed link

OMG. Ornery is going to have a stroke.

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: tnitsuj

Originally posted by: Vic

Originally posted by: Wag
I honestly have no experience with the car, other than what I've seen of it. If it's as good as people say I might have to take it for a test-drive. Thanks.

One element does seem a bit scary to me- with all the big cars on the US highways, how safe is this car?

The biggest myth about cars is that the bigger the safer. It's simply not true.
Mini Cooper is Insurance Institute for Highway Safety "Best Pick"

edit: oops, fixed link

OMG. Ornery is going to have a stroke.

My SO's mother already did when I explained that myth to her. She was permanently injured in a serious car accident ~15 years ago (after many surgeries, she can walk, but she'll never run again and she lives in constant pain) so she is naturally very concerned about car safety.
She bought a "safe" 2002 Chevy Trailblazer because it is big and safe (or so she thinks).
She refuses to ride in my "unsafe" 2003 Subaru Impreza WRX

The reality of big cars, like SUVs, is not that they are safe for their passengers -- that is a function of design, not of size -- but that because of their relatively larger size and weight, they are unsafe for every other car on the road.

 

[Wag]

The reality of big cars, like SUVs, is not that they are safe for their passengers -- that is a function of design, not of size -- but that because of their relatively larger size and weight, they are unsafe for every other car on the road.

And that's exactly why, when I purchase a car, I don't think about being hit by the same model- I think about being hit by a truck.

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
note: folding down the rear seats doesn't gain you any space you didn't have before

It allows you to carry larger, bulkier objects (even though there's barely enough room for a briefcase behind the seats). And it's easier to load objects from the tailgate than to try to fit something through the front doors.

 

[Josh]

i think they are ugly as hell...but fast.