Hi, everyone. My name is Heather and I'm currently living in Hampton, Virginia. I test drove an 07 Mini S a couple of weeks ago and now I'm hooked. I currently drive an 05 Cobalt SS/SC. I'm new to Minis and have a few questions.

I'm torn on what color to order. I like the laser blue, lightning blue, and the pepper white. What color do you guys think looks best on the car? I'm definately against the red because my last 2 cars have been red!

I'm definately ordering the Hypersport package, but was wondering how hard it would be to colormatch the black fenders?

I was reading the NAM review of the 07, that the lounge leather is worth the price, but I was wondering if anyone personally has it and thinks the same after a few thousand miles. I have leather in my current car and I don't like it, but I actually think it's more of a leatherrette. So, it's either cloth or the upgraded leather lounge leather.

Is there any way to create polls on these forums? Maybe I could create a poll for the colors...

Also, I don't know if I want the sport package or I just want to add DSC. I would like to keep 16" rims on the car and the sport package adds 17" rims. Is there a lot (more than a fist) of wheel gap if I keep the 16's? I am going to upgrade the rims once I buy the car and I'm not sure between 16's or 17's.

Should I spend the $550 on the HiFi sound, or just keep the stock radio and upgrade it myself? I've been reading about the HiFi and I haven't really heard a good review yet.

Who has the comfort access key system and if so, do you like it? I'm a gadget type of person.

Has anyone on this forum bought a Mini through Checkered Flag Mini in Virginia Beach? If so, what where your thoughts on service.

Has anyone used Mini Select Financing and what where your thought about it if you did? It seems like a good deal as long as the cars continue to retain resale value, that way when my term is up a bank will actually refinance the balance owed.

Thanks for any input!

 

Hi Heather! I think you're hooked, based on the questions you're asking!

There's no turning back now.

I only have one comment and it has to do with color. A loooooong time ago, I learned what I think was an important lesson from my dad when he was in the auto business: Trendy colors come and go. I like them as much as the next person. But there have always been and always will be "keystone" colors, the ones that never change. Specifically: Black, White, Red, Silver. They never go out of style. In the case of the MINI, I think British Racing Green would qualify as a standard as well. When you think resale, I believe it's an important consideration.

FWIW, I really like the laser blue, but I'm conditioned to resist; I bought Chili Red.

Your choices are very much about what YOU like, not what I or anyone else thinks. Get what makes you happy! You have to visit your MINI daily, not me.

Just my 2 cents. Good luck with your new MINI!

 

Hi, Heather. Most of what you are asking is really impossible to answer, because it is all a matter of personal preference. I love my Lightning Blue, though! I would also get the comfort access feature, which I initially (before I had it) thought was a waste. It is such a convenience! As to options, all I can say is go with your heart.

 

On the other side I might add not to consider resale too seriously. MINIs can be configured and youified in endless combinations to suit personal taste, style, needs, and desires so once you have the basics, just get what you want. MINIs are about love...owners relate to their cars on a very personal level, so if you love a feature (like a color) get it and don't look back. In fact, much of the agonizing you'll be doing is about establishing a very real connection with your car. After all your fretting and deliberating...you will love the car you order like no other. So all I'll say is...good luck!!!

BTW, I get all my options al-la-carte, so I have DSC and 15s...

 

Thanks for your input... I was just looking for other opinions. I love all the colors and I really don't know which one I like better! I love the mini I'm just not 100% how I want my mini and how I actually need my mini!

 

Heather,
I was kind of ambivalent about colors (had a few that would do), but I went with the Laser Blue and really love it.

I live in Yorktown. As far as dealers, I went up to Crown in Richmond to test drive and buy my MINI. Travel time (considering the HRBT) is about the same for me, Richmond versus VA Beach. Check out hrmini.com for opinions about Checkered Flag or shoot me a PM. If you go to Crown ask for Ashley.

rob and the Blue Shifted MINI

 

Heather, I have the carbon lounge leather, and love it. It is the same or better quality leather that BMW uses in it's M cars.

Comfort access is also worth getting. Never having to fumble for the remote and not having to put the huge remote in the slot to start, is well worth the money.

 

I ordered the lounge leather and HiFi. I have only good things to say about both after 4000 miles.

 

I went throught the same thing and drove my friends and girlfriend crazy. It's the 5th week of waiting and can't wait anymore. I really think there is no ugly color nor best color. Color should reflect your personality and life style. Classy colors or I call them invisible color do stay much longer if you planning to keep the car more than 3 or 4 years. Are you a fashion person who change clothes season after season or you are Levi's jeans and T shirt kind of girl. Get black if you have a garage or you can wash your car every week. I am lazy but I don't like to see dirt either so I was considering pure silver or pepper white. I choose pw because I have silver and blue cars now. Another advise is don't be afraid of making mistake on colors. Go with your first instict. As far as options, get as much as you can within your budget. They are all good. I even got the nav system and L leather. I almost made a mistake not getting the HiFi but my mini ma helped me add them just before it went to production. Even people are not crazy about the hifi but it has more speakers that upgrade them later will be even better than stock stereo. enough said

 

Hello Heather. Here is a picture of my PW with the Hypersport Pkg and painted fender flares. The pepper white is a fairly easy match( non-metallic paints always are) and the light color does not show the dirt/dust as much as the darker colors. Good luck with your choice(s) and your new MC S when it arrives

 

They should come standard with painted fenders flairs. It looks so much better IMO. I love your car!
Thanks for everyone's input. I am looking to spend about 30000 on the car... so I can get pretty much all the options I want. It's just a matter of which ones are actually useful. I am leaning more towards the lightning blue color with a black roof and bonnet stripes, but also love the PW with a black roof and bonnet stripes and the same for the laser blue. I definately want to keep my mini for a long time, so resale isn't really that big of a factor. My husband doesn't understand the obsession, but I cannot wait to own a mini. But I guess I'll have to because I'm waiting till I can order an 08. I made the mistake of buying the first year model of the cobalt. I'm sure the mini is a heck of a lot better than the cobalt and hopefully I'll be patient enough to wait it out...

 

Also, I was wondering if anyone knew if the anthracite headliner required a sunroof delete?

 

welcome to NAM!
i just placed an order for a '07 lighning blue w/ black top mini on june 22nd. i really wanted a mini last year but took me a year to pull the trigger on buying one. i'm glad i waited till the '07 came out cause they added a lot of stuff i really like. don't think i could wait till the '08 to come out.

according to te mini config when you add the sunroof and then go to add the anthracite headliner it lets you add it. usually if you have something that isn't compatable with something the option is not highlighted and it tells yo what you need to delete.

 

you can order the anthracite headliner and it does not require you to delete the sunroof.

 

One the great things about the Mini is you can order it just the way you want it. There are very few cars out there like that and none in this price range. Unless you are the type that sells their car after a year don't buy a color because you think it will sell the car, get the color you like.

 

Thanks for all your input.

This forum is so much nicer than the ones I am use to dealing with.... Must be a different type of owner for a mini then what I drive now! I mean I'm sure you guys have your e-thugs... but they are few and far between in comparision to the cobalt forums!!!

 

Hi from So Cal - and welcome aboard You've asked a lot of really good questions. Most of which, the answers to, are all personal choice for you. We all have our opinions on colors we like, interiors we like, etc. That's what makes YOUR MINI, so special!!! The color is ALWAYS the hardest - good luck...

Donna