this is a good perspective on the subtle differences. the one distinction is that i wouldn't use either the bel air 2 door coupe, or the nomad for daily driver duties at this point!



the clubman is really the right choice, but i keep hunting and searching for that one little nugget of sage advice that will help me justify the hardtop just because it's so much fun!

but, in the end i give up very little and gain much with the clubman.

 

I have an '09 MCS convertible which I love and a good friend just bought a new John Cooper Works Clubman.

Sounds like a Clubman would fit you well. I'd drive both a regular and an S. The Clubman is almost 200 pounds heavier than the hardtop and the S is simply a blast to drive.

 

My Wife has wanted a MINI for a long time. Me even longer, ever since I first rode in a mini in the early 80's in NZ.
Took my wife a while to give up the ingrained 4 door sedan notion and go to 2 door car.
We decided to get a MINI and I played with the MINI build online for weeks.
Went to the dealer with printouts of 2 MINI designs. Had never even considered or seen a Clubman in person. Walked out of dealer with a Clubman on order. Now on a boat and due here about Feb 22, 2010.
I think the 3rd door eased her mind about the 4 door vs 2 door cars. The extra room in the Clubman vs regular Cooper also was a big selling point.
We have 1 child.

 

my s.o. and i are in a similar a conversation about two versus four doors (including ease of access with two doors), lack of room and increased room in the hardtop versus the clubman, and so on.

i've seen and driven both the hardtop and the clubman and have to admit there's a lot to like about the clubman for all of the reasons you and others have described.

 

That's right, I'll be ready for my MINI in June (payment wise) so if I order in April, it should be here by then.

 

Thanks everyone for your input!
I am really leaning towards the Clubman. My husband likes it too, and since this will probably be our main car, the extra space is a plus.

 

I decided on the Clubman due to the extra room...and the JCW for the extra kick! I had always wanted a MINI Cooper and never got one because I just couldn't deal with the lack of space. My MINI is my only mode of transportation...if it were just an extra vehicle to drive only for fun, I would have gone with the hatchback.

 

LOL! My husband drives an Avalon.
He is on the road constantly and his car is like an office.
The Avalon is really comfortable and he is happy with it.

The MINI is mine!
We are going to the MOTD in April.
I was just telling him that he may want to take some pillows, lumbar support, travel pillows, etc. for our 8 -9 hour drive to NC.
He suggested that we just throw the MINI into the trunk of the Avalon and go from there!

I traded in my "soccer mom" minivan for a MINI, and am very happy with my Clubman S.
The extra inches don't sound like much, but I really appreciate the extra space.
I also like the extra kick of the S, but many are very happy without it.
Personally, I love the barn doors.
They don't present a visibility problem at all as the vertical line is very thin.

I love my Clubman and haven't had a moment's regret since buying it.

Good luck with whatever you decide.
MINI is just another way to spell FUN!