Anyone Own a Mini Cooper?

Hare's Ear · 02-10-2005, 09:21 PM

Its time to get my wife a new car. We have a Honda Accord that has been the most dependable car we have ever owned. After almost 9 years my wife would like something a little newer. If you own a Mini or have driven one let me know what you think.

By the way, I'm talking about the new, BMW incarnation of the Mini Cooper.

Thanks a lot.

Two Fister · 02-10-2005, 11:04 PM

Hare's Ear,
My sister has a mini Cooper. That thing is a rocket with 4 wheels! It's fun to drive and gets decent mileage. You don't, however, want to get in a wreck in one. You are pretty much looking at everyone's bumper or undercarriage while driving. She hasn't had any problems to speak of with her car in the nearly two years that she has owned it.
TF

Gus Orviston · 02-11-2005, 09:02 AM

I got a couple friends that each have one.. they are both car buffs. One is a turbo and other the plain package. One guys autocrosses his and in his opinion it is on rails... and he has a 911 (his second) a 325i too. He says his mini will run circles around his 911 on the course.

I have ridden in both...I am not impressed. While they are fun, and make you feel like you are in a go cart. I wouldn't replace what you get in an Accord with a mini.. I couldn't imagine driving in one to Bend, maybe the coast? they are pretty noisy too.

gus

Hare's Ear · 02-11-2005, 01:09 PM

Thanks for the replies. Fun to drive, but noisy seem to be the norm based on what I've read on various sites. As soon as tax season is over I'll just have to get myself down to Rasmussen and take one for a spin.

Beaver93 · 02-11-2005, 01:32 PM

DB,
A's boss has one. He has the turbo charged version. When I tell you he loves it, that would be an understatement. He's your height and build, and it fits him like a glove. Hard to believe you'd find one in Pendleton, eh?
CN

PS - Shouldn't you be working?

SuperPanga · 02-11-2005, 02:32 PM

Talked to my son in law about this car. He is a mechanic and his shop has worked on one, he said they did not like the head/ head gasket design and thinks it is probably going to be a reliability issue. If you are going from a Honda to the Mini be prepared for higher oporating costs and being a fad vehicle, low trade in values in the future. They claim that fad vehicles keep buyers attention for only about 5-7 years. Good example are the PT cruiser and the New Beetle.

cade · 02-12-2005, 10:51 AM

My parents just ordered a mini cooper. From what i understand it takes a while for the car to be shipped to the dealership, but my dad test drove one and said that he loved it!!

Jettin' Fool · 02-12-2005, 11:21 AM

Good luck to you if you ever get in a wreck! Safty is a top priority when I look for a new car. I feel a lot more comfortable with my wife and 2 yr. old in a SUV now than her old Civic. They may be fun to drive but being in a go-cart in a accident?? I'll pass!

Jfool

1pump · 02-12-2005, 08:22 PM

When it comes to "fad" cars, at least the Beetle is cheap. Those Minis cost some serious coin in consideration of what you're getting.

Chacal · 02-12-2005, 09:50 PM

Mini versus Ford F150

This is an interesting link.

Maybe not as dangerous as one might think?

Who knows.

BMW do have great engineers though...

Tight lines.

jimh · 02-12-2005, 10:14 PM

We just took delivery of one from Rasmussen Mini in Portland. They had one of the better waits with a less markup than the average. It is a good little car, and I'm pretty impressed overall. It is a very good car for the money if you order it.

I'd just as soon be in it in a wreck as any of a number of little cars. The crash test numbers aren't really that bad. BMW has a history of making pretty safe cars. Yes, it will get smashed by my Chevrolet 2500 in a wreck, but that can be said for lots of smaller vehicles.