While shopping for a new ride I test drove a Mazda3, Mazdaspeed3, Honda Civic Si, Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V, and a Scion tC, along with the MINI. I probably would not have thought to consider it if it weren't for the excellent write-ups and superior efficiency to performance ratio.

All it took was one 15 minute drive to see just how much more enjoyable it was to the competition

I love how enthusiastic and community oriented MINI owners are. I'm very glad to be involved.

Now I just have to stay calm until September...

 

Deep breaths.........welcome to the asylum! You have been assimilated.

 

Welcome to NAM! Glad to see you chose wisely.

 

THAT wasn't even a fair contest !! You should have given the MINI three flat tires, removed one of the pistons, and put some water in the gas tank just to make it a fair fight !!



Welcome to NAM and you, my new friend, are very smart ! Good choice.

 

you're right. As soon as I was out of REVERSE, it was no longer a fair fight!

 

Welcome! I'm a new MINI owner - chose it entirely on it's cute looks but now love the way it drives. Feel even better hearing your comparison of competition.

 

welcome to NAM!

 

Welcome to NAM. I bought mine about a month ago. Don't hate me but mine was on the lot. I also looked at the Miata, and used 350Z's. One drive in the Mini and I was hooked. Sounds familiar doesn't it.

 

Welcome to NAM! im glad you liked the MINI!

 

When I shifted from 2nd to 3rd I let up and told my wife "We want this one".
Welcome to NAM. Enjoy!

 

Welcome to MINIdom and NAM. You did some serious test driving and still make the right choice.

Enjoy and find a lot of new friends here on the forum.

Oh... Pictures are good when you get the chance.

 

Interesting perspective given your evaluation of other cars. You could tell a big difference in 15 minutes?? That's cool!! Once I saw the new MINI was coming out that's all I considered so I'm a bit out-of-touch w/ other current offerings.

 

pictures, definitely! waiting is so tough :impatient

 

I test drove all of the same vehicles except for the Mazdaspeed3 and also chose the MINI (obviously!)

It is by far the most fun I have ever had in a vehicle! I never knew driving could be so enjoyable. Now if I can just be patient for a few more weeks...

 

I could tell this was a very special car before I was out of the parking lot. It's baffling that more cars don't have such a direct feel and the go-kart handling. It's so much more of a pure experience and almost every other car design masks it. The MINI was the third car I drove and I had this feeling inside that I was going to fall in love with it. If I had not promised myself I would test drive every car on my list no matter what, that would have been the last test drive. The three month delivery process prevented an impulse purchase, and I will love it that much more for it

 

The MA took me into an industrial park and as we came up to a 25 mph turn he suggested that I 'keep on the gas'. I did. My girlfriend almost ended up in my lap .

 

Yeah I had a similar situation when I was looking for cars. I was pretty upset at how all the cars you listed has really grown in size and the sporty models were too toned down for me. Plus to me the looks just about everything on the list has gotten worse from its outing going model. So, I decided to take a test drive with the mini and was sold right away