Hello,

I have just recently started driving even though I am very much an adult . I always lived in the city and there was public transportation everywhere and everything was within walking distance.

So now I live in the NW suburbs of Chicago and need to drive . I have been 'practicing' on our BMW X3 but I feel I would be more confident driving a smaller car. I would love to buy a Mini but I am concerned about the snow, does the Mini like snow? This car would be my year-round car.

Is the Mini a good car for a first time driver?

My husband is concerned I might have too much fun driving a Mini and I will forget to hold the steering wheel at the 10 & 2. He said I need to at least for the first year I drive .

I have always collected Mini hot wheels so I think it's meant to be . Thanks in advance for your advice!

 

I think it'll be a fine car for you.

And if you're concerned with winter... check out the Canadain MINI site:

http://www.mini.ca/en/More_MINI/Wint...I/default.aspx

Enjoy!

 

First.. welcome AnnaBee

which 'burb are you in??? if you're not doing anything, come on out to the Superdawg outing with us on 4/18: http://chicagominiclub.com/

as far as the MINI in the snow... this was the 3rd winter in my MCC. in the 'burbs, the streets are usually plowed so snow isn't too much of a concern.. unless you're in the boonies Some will suggest getting snow tires for winter... I have a shop in Gurnee I can recommend for tires otherwise, I only recently switched out of the runflat tires.

are you buying new or used?? just curious.

 

I can't comment on snow personally with my MCS, yet, but really given quality snow or all-season tires, and that the snow doesn't exceed the ground clearance of the car, the MINI would be as good as any other FWD car in the snow.

For a mature first-time driver I think a Cooper is a great car. A Cooper S might be a little bit of a handful at first, especially in low traction situations, but a Cooper's superior handling and braking abilities, combined with it's more than adequate passing power, and easy to live with size, make it superior to a lot of other cars in this respect. I wouldn't worry about the 10/2 deal, the MINI's steering is so responsive you tend to hold it with both hands anyways and the steering wheel mounted controls really determine exactly how you hold the wheel.

 

Well,

I'm not exactly a first-time driver, but I am someone who had never driven very much prior to buying a MCS that arrived two months ago. I'd spent most of my adult life living in cities where I didn't need a car, plus I'd never been very comfortable behind the wheel.

I think that a Mini is a fine car for a first-time driver, and an S is perhaps an even better choice because it's good to have the extra power if you're ever in a situation where you need it. I picked mine because, like you, I felt more comfortable in a smaller car. Also, out of all the cars I test drove, the MCS was the one that felt the best.

The main thing is making sure that you learn what you would need to learn no matter what car you got. In my case, this has meant getting refresher driving lessons both before and after getting the car. My brother has laughed at me for doing this, but it had been more than five years since I'd driven at all, and I really felt that still having a licence and actually being competent were two very different things. As long as you're doing the right thing in terms of building skills, you might as well get exactly the car you want. (Heck, I did.)

 

with all season runflats, not the performance runflats, the mini is fine in the snow. it is still a front wheel drive car, which means the engine is sitting right over the drive wheels so you will get plenty of traction. Just make sure you get DSC as an option or in a package and you will be good to motor on. Be smart and don't drive faster than you are comfortable with and use common sense.

Welcome to wonderful world of MINI!! You are going to love it

 

I can not think of a better first car. Also, you can never have too much fun driving a Mini.

 

Thanks for all of the helpful advice! I'm in North Hoffman Estates/Barrington so its' pretty much the boonies for me . I want to buy a new Mini close to home but once upon a time I walked into Patrick BMW and requested information on a 325xi and was told 'we don't have anymore brochures' and that was the end of their customer service. The 3 guys who were talking when I walked in continued their conversation and ignored me so I walked out. Since then we have gone all the way to Fields BMW in Northfiled (Best Customer service ever!!) and bought 2 cars from them even though we live 15 mins away from Patrick BMW . It's a matter of principle for me so we might go to Knauz or even Bill Jacobs. I'm so excited about getting my Mini but I'm having an issue picking out a color.. this is harder than when I named my son! I'm going to have to go to Superdawg to check out all my choices!

 

Welcome AnnaBee!

I actually bought my '02 MCS from a guy who works at Knauz! His name is Bobby Becker and I know for a fact that he sells BMWs; but since its also a MINI dealership, he may sell those as well. Not sure.

Anyway, my experience with Bobby has been awesome thus far. He truly regrets selling his MINI to me (which he was obsessive about in terms of maintenance). I recommend giving him a call to see if he may be able to assist you in finding the MINI you want! Please also tell him that Ron (the guy that bought his MINI) sent you! If you decide to contact him, please let me know how things turn out for you. Good Luck!

ron.

 

Too bad you had a not so good experience with Patrick. I take my MCC there for service since it's close to work for me. As far as MA's... BMW and MINI are seperate and only sell their own. However, if you're going to Knauz, ask for Kevin, the Sales Manager at Knauz. Tell him Francis from the Chicago MINI Club told you about him... and tell him I said hello