Hi everybody!
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1st Gear
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 29
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Hi everybody!
Hiya!
I'm 26 and have pretty much had MINI fever for about two years now. Unfortunately, I just finished graduate school (Masters in International Affairs) and the only work i have been able to find is $10 / hr. at Best Buy. Now, don't get me wrong, I am THRILLED to even have a job with the way things are in the US, but my dreams of owning a MINI are apparently going to be put on hold for quite some time. T_T
So, to all of you that already own a MINI....please ignore my jealousy! =D
For those wondering, I drive a 1999 Dodge Neon that I inherited from my grandmother. While it only has 45k Miles, it sat in a non covered parking lot for years before I inherited it....and then hurricane Charley bombarded it with ceiling tiles and rocks. Over the last 6 months it has broken down twice, something that has not helped my desire to own a MINI!
Anywho, I finally got to test drive a MINI for the first time a few days ago (something that I have wanted to do for ages), and really enjoyed the experience. It was an '04 automatic convertible S (though I personally want a manual). I had expressed a small interest in convertibles before the test drive, but after realizing how well the Mini feels with the top down (surprisingly, it wasn't that noisy!), I have realized that my dream car has now dramatically increased in cost! =P
One of my BIG questions in terms of purchasing a MINI is the difference between an S and a standard MINI. If I was to purchase a MINI, it would be my primary mode of transportation. Does the standard MINI provide enough horse power to do this well (i.e. travel on the interstate)? How big of a difference does the extra 50 hp or so make? I have driven an S on the interstate and it felt perfectly suitable.
I know that the best answer to my question is to simply go to a MINI dealer and drive the standard MINI, however, the nearest dealer is roughly 100 miles away.
Anywho, thanks for any and all input! =)
~Theo
I'm 26 and have pretty much had MINI fever for about two years now. Unfortunately, I just finished graduate school (Masters in International Affairs) and the only work i have been able to find is $10 / hr. at Best Buy. Now, don't get me wrong, I am THRILLED to even have a job with the way things are in the US, but my dreams of owning a MINI are apparently going to be put on hold for quite some time. T_T
So, to all of you that already own a MINI....please ignore my jealousy! =D
For those wondering, I drive a 1999 Dodge Neon that I inherited from my grandmother. While it only has 45k Miles, it sat in a non covered parking lot for years before I inherited it....and then hurricane Charley bombarded it with ceiling tiles and rocks. Over the last 6 months it has broken down twice, something that has not helped my desire to own a MINI!
Anywho, I finally got to test drive a MINI for the first time a few days ago (something that I have wanted to do for ages), and really enjoyed the experience. It was an '04 automatic convertible S (though I personally want a manual). I had expressed a small interest in convertibles before the test drive, but after realizing how well the Mini feels with the top down (surprisingly, it wasn't that noisy!), I have realized that my dream car has now dramatically increased in cost! =P
One of my BIG questions in terms of purchasing a MINI is the difference between an S and a standard MINI. If I was to purchase a MINI, it would be my primary mode of transportation. Does the standard MINI provide enough horse power to do this well (i.e. travel on the interstate)? How big of a difference does the extra 50 hp or so make? I have driven an S on the interstate and it felt perfectly suitable.
I know that the best answer to my question is to simply go to a MINI dealer and drive the standard MINI, however, the nearest dealer is roughly 100 miles away.
Anywho, thanks for any and all input! =)
~Theo
I have "just a cooper" as my daily driver/primary drive and I love it.
Would I like to have the power of and "S" -- ABSOLUTELY. Do it need this power for daily driving -- ABSOLUTELY NOT.
The "just a cooper" has plenty of pep for fun spirited daily driving. But I still get a little jealous when an "S" or "JCW" blast by me on the freeway.
My advice is test drive them both and then choose what you like and can afford.
Would I like to have the power of and "S" -- ABSOLUTELY. Do it need this power for daily driving -- ABSOLUTELY NOT.
The "just a cooper" has plenty of pep for fun spirited daily driving. But I still get a little jealous when an "S" or "JCW" blast by me on the freeway.
My advice is test drive them both and then choose what you like and can afford.
5th Gear
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 975
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From: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
As ron-s mini says the justacooper has plenty of pep, so maybe you can get your dream car faster especially if you want a vert by getting a non-s vert with a standard tranny, also it will be cheaper on gas! Good luck, I hope you can get one soon, let us know what it is
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,941
Likes: 1
From: Snowy Wisconsin
Lots of people will tell you to get an S, but I went from an '05 MCS to an '06 MC cabrio. We traded my MCS on a Mazdaspeed 3 (my SO fell in love with it) and regretted it. Did some math and decided we could also afford a used MINI. I had a choice - finances said I could afford an S, but not the cabrio version - and since I had lusted after a ragtop for a long time I bought the MC convertible. I love it!
Do I miss the passing power? Sure, but after 2 speeding tickets (both gotten while passing!) to the tune of nearly $400, I have learned I need to slow down. It's not all about 'winning' and 'showing' those slower drivers what's what on the Interstate. The MC suits me just fine.
The Mazdaspeed 3 is really nice (and 263 HP), but it is more for my SO (who seems to have the control that I lack); I'll still take my little cabrio.
Do I miss the passing power? Sure, but after 2 speeding tickets (both gotten while passing!) to the tune of nearly $400, I have learned I need to slow down. It's not all about 'winning' and 'showing' those slower drivers what's what on the Interstate. The MC suits me just fine.
The Mazdaspeed 3 is really nice (and 263 HP), but it is more for my SO (who seems to have the control that I lack); I'll still take my little cabrio.
Last edited by Ladidah; Jul 29, 2009 at 07:48 AM. Reason: clarity
6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,776
Likes: 1
Capt'n Jack & I get along fine! Most of my driving is everything but Interstate, so my MC really fits my needs. Good luck with getting enough scratch together to get your MINI. Go to a credit union, car loans are not all that difficult to get these days...
5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 835
Likes: 5
From: Atlanta, GA
Hiya!
I'm 26 and have pretty much had MINI fever for about two years now. Unfortunately, I just finished graduate school (Masters in International Affairs) and the only work i have been able to find is $10 / hr. at Best Buy. Now, don't get me wrong, I am THRILLED to even have a job with the way things are in the US, but my dreams of owning a MINI are apparently going to be put on hold for quite some time. T_T
So, to all of you that already own a MINI....please ignore my jealousy! =D
For those wondering, I drive a 1999 Dodge Neon that I inherited from my grandmother. While it only has 45k Miles, it sat in a non covered parking lot for years before I inherited it....and then hurricane Charley bombarded it with ceiling tiles and rocks. Over the last 6 months it has broken down twice, something that has not helped my desire to own a MINI!
Anywho, I finally got to test drive a MINI for the first time a few days ago (something that I have wanted to do for ages), and really enjoyed the experience. It was an '04 automatic convertible S (though I personally want a manual). I had expressed a small interest in convertibles before the test drive, but after realizing how well the Mini feels with the top down (surprisingly, it wasn't that noisy!), I have realized that my dream car has now dramatically increased in cost! =P
One of my BIG questions in terms of purchasing a MINI is the difference between an S and a standard MINI. If I was to purchase a MINI, it would be my primary mode of transportation. Does the standard MINI provide enough horse power to do this well (i.e. travel on the interstate)? How big of a difference does the extra 50 hp or so make? I have driven an S on the interstate and it felt perfectly suitable.
I know that the best answer to my question is to simply go to a MINI dealer and drive the standard MINI, however, the nearest dealer is roughly 100 miles away.
Anywho, thanks for any and all input! =)
~Theo
I'm 26 and have pretty much had MINI fever for about two years now. Unfortunately, I just finished graduate school (Masters in International Affairs) and the only work i have been able to find is $10 / hr. at Best Buy. Now, don't get me wrong, I am THRILLED to even have a job with the way things are in the US, but my dreams of owning a MINI are apparently going to be put on hold for quite some time. T_T
So, to all of you that already own a MINI....please ignore my jealousy! =D
For those wondering, I drive a 1999 Dodge Neon that I inherited from my grandmother. While it only has 45k Miles, it sat in a non covered parking lot for years before I inherited it....and then hurricane Charley bombarded it with ceiling tiles and rocks. Over the last 6 months it has broken down twice, something that has not helped my desire to own a MINI!
Anywho, I finally got to test drive a MINI for the first time a few days ago (something that I have wanted to do for ages), and really enjoyed the experience. It was an '04 automatic convertible S (though I personally want a manual). I had expressed a small interest in convertibles before the test drive, but after realizing how well the Mini feels with the top down (surprisingly, it wasn't that noisy!), I have realized that my dream car has now dramatically increased in cost! =P
One of my BIG questions in terms of purchasing a MINI is the difference between an S and a standard MINI. If I was to purchase a MINI, it would be my primary mode of transportation. Does the standard MINI provide enough horse power to do this well (i.e. travel on the interstate)? How big of a difference does the extra 50 hp or so make? I have driven an S on the interstate and it felt perfectly suitable.
I know that the best answer to my question is to simply go to a MINI dealer and drive the standard MINI, however, the nearest dealer is roughly 100 miles away.
Anywho, thanks for any and all input! =)
~Theo
Hang in there! If you get a manual transmission the regular MINI will probably be fine as the manual takes full advantage of the available power. The S is capable of very good gas mileage IF you can stay out of the turbo which I really suck at staying out of
. I read one post where someone had had both an S and a regular Cooper and reported about 6mpg better with the regualr Cooper over the S. A turbo engine is very efficient when you stay out of it but if you drive it agressively the extra power requires more gas. If you go automatic you may want the S as the convertible is heavier than the hatchback.
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Thread Starter
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1st Gear
Joined: Jul 2009
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Wow, thanks for all the feedback guys! hmm...i guess I could always forgo having a ragtop and just get an S hard top. It's a hard decision....at least i'll have plenty of time to think about it while I try to find better work. =) Maybe the money I would save on a hard top could go to the ultimate form of convertible .... a motorcycle! =D