Well out 2003 Civic was having loads of problems and we never really liked it anyway so we went on a test-drive marathon. This will be a car mostly for my wife to drive around.

Our goals were high MPG and fun to drive (can you tell where this is going?)

Honda Fit: Great reviews and Nice use of space, but fell flat on the test drive. MPG good, but underpowered and sloppy handling. Wife didn't like the ride.

Scion Xd: I didn't fit in it and I'm only 6' 2". Didn't test drive

Scion Xb: poor MPG, didn't test drive.

Beetle: not great MPG, $$$, didn't test drive

Kia Spectra5: Liked far better than expected. Nice interior, good torque. MPG good but not great. Brief test drive, didn't really evaluate handling.

VW Rabbit: Nice but poor MPG. I still like my Mazda3 better. We couldn't get the hang of the clutch -- I stalled it 3 times and my wife could hardly drive it at all. And being that I'm trying to convert her to liking Manual trans, this was clearly out.

Mazda3: Already own and LOVE everything but the MPG which I can't keep out of the 20s for any length of time.

which brings us to.....

MINI Cooper: An absolute joy to drive -- we couldn't stop laughing the whole test drive. Even though the base model is a touch underpowered, it is good enough and had by far the highest MPG of any car we drove. We decided we didn't need to expend an extra 5-10 mpg hauling around empty space since we have the Mazda when we need more space. I said, in the words of Homer Simpson, "I must have it!" Fortunately Bill Jacobs of Naperville had a bunch in stock and we were able to take one home that day! We got exactly 40.0 MPG on the 100 mile trip home from the dealer.

I don't know why people complain about this car being noisy, it's far quieter than anything else we test drove.

 

Great story and interesting in light of the comparos you all did. After driving MINIs the past five years, I don't know what car I could move to....MINIs pretty much rock in terms of fun and performance and practicality and fuel economy and safety.

 

A thorough test drive leads to the inevitable. A MINI story that keeps on getting told. Welcome to the MINIverse. Feel free to post pics of your new cool ride.

Welcome, and don't forget to wave or give thumb's up to your fellow motorers.

 

Going on 5 years and still excited to hop in and Motor!

 

great story and welcome

 

+1! Welcome!

 

Hi and Welcome from Molly and me

 

Welcome! & Congrats!

Great story of how you found yourself much like the rest of us here unable to live without a Mini!

 

Congratulations on your new addition! I too looked at a lot of other vehiches and always found something that just did not match up to the Mini and although I kept finding something cheaper that I could have bought, they certainly were not in the same league of the Cooper. Gas mileage was a big factor for me too. I finally found one on line that I wanted to look at some 80 miles away at dealer. After ten minutes I new it was going to be mine or I would regret it later. While getting the paperwork started another salesperson came around looking for the key to "my" car. Turns out a gentleman had just come in who drove it the day before and decided over night to buy it. Poor guy missed it by a half an hour!

 

It does happen that way w/ MINIs!!!

I'm used to the fun but nerve-racking process of designing, ordering, and waiting for a MINI, so I very much get the idea of bonding w/ your car. It's great that the same thing happens in the showroom...both for the MINIs (looking for a good home to motor in), and for you!!! I'm sure the other guy will find the MINI of his dreams!

 

There were people waiting to test drive right after us and they bought it while we were out to lunch deciding what to do. The salesman told me they had been in before and just missed a couple cars they were interested in.

 

 

Great story! Congratulations on a fantastic little car I can't ever imagine getting a car that's not a MINI!

 

Most of the noise in mine comes from the passenger seat.

"HONEY, SLOW DOWN!!!!"

 

well yes there are potential downsides to having a dinner-plate sized speedo in full view of all passengers

 

Someone on another thread sort of complained about the fact that now that fuel prices are getting higher more and more people might start turning to MINI's, and here's another example of that fact. However, their post was in a mild form of a complaint because they felt that the MINI community should stay nice and small and only be for MINI lovers. But MELLOCOOPER has just proven that it's still possible to fall in love with a MINI when all you were really looking for in a car was high MPG with a little fun to be had on the side!

 

Yep. These cars have an effect on people that belong in them. People that aren't wired the right way for a MINI won't stay in it long... they'll just see a bunch of compromises, where we see a lot of awesomeness....

I, too, can't envision myself in ANY OTHER CAR now.... the MINI is just so "me"....

OK, I might do an even trade for an Aston Martin. But that's about it.

 

I quite agree. I must admit there are a number of things about the car I don't completely love, (goofy over-engineered turn signals, radio controls etc) but what happens when either my wife or I sit behind the wheel trumps all that.

 

Yes, one 10 minute test drive in a Clubman S 6 speed hooked me for life.

 

One test drive and I was hooked! I laughed the entire test drive too! Said a lot of Woohoooo's and such. The MINI fits me to a perfect T! My girlfriend can't understand my fascination with the mini!!! How do you explain your fascination with the MINI to a non mini lover? I have never been into cars nor ever been interested in a vehicle more than could it get me to my destination! I LOVE MY MINI!!!!!!! Now Production week 27!!!!! Yeah!!!!!

 

I have previously viewed cars in a very utilitarian way. Sure bmws seemed cool (as did sports cars), but I never wanted one like I have wanted a mini. I saw the Italian Job, and I wanted one. I have waited. I hoped that I could get one used (I don't like paying full price), but the prices and some early problems deterred me. When I heard about the clubman, it got me thinking again. Gas prices are helping pay for it (the wife will drive the civic instead of the suburban most of the time). There is definitely something about the mini. Now if that ship would just hurry up.