I remember the first time I saw a MINI. I was too young to remember the original minis so, I thought: "What is that?" and "That was the coolest car I've ever seen." That was probably almost a decade ago and ever since, I proclaim: "MINI!" every time I see one (which is getting old for my husband). I have test driven one. I have read countless professional and consumer reviews. And I have been reading on this forum for weeks.

At the risk of alienating myself, I have a confession to make: I drive a Camry. I know, I know - I can hear the collective gasp now. I got it right out of college, when my mid 90s Jetta needed to be retired after a laundry list of ongoing repairs w/ no end in sight - I needed something affordable and reliable. I used to say that my Jetta was a joy to drive and a misery to own. My Camry is quite the opposite - there's not a lot to love, but not a lot to hate. That is, except for the fact that it might be the most boring car ever made and the people who own them are some of the worst drivers I've seen on the road.

So, what's holding me back? Well, I guess you could say that the one thing I like about the Camry is the one thing that gives me pause about getting a MINI. I've read about the 80 something-year-old retiree who has 400k+ miles of his car and has had virtually no problems whatsoever. And I've read about the guy (I think there's more than one on here) who's engine seized b/c the oil mysteriously vanished w/o a trace and/or explanation. I don't think either of these stories represent the norm. And so I ask you: Do the positives outweigh the negatives? If I get the car I've been lusting after for the past 10 years, will the repair needs and costs beat the MINI love out of me?

Thanks in advance for your input. Its been a pleasure reading your stories. Your enthusiasm is contagious.

PS - I'm considering a 2008 or newer hardtop (non S).

 

I've been lurking on NAM now for a several weeks, but your email has led me to make my first post.

Let me begin by saying my wife drives a Camry. It's amazingly dependable. It's wonderfully comfortable, taking many of the bumps out of the road. It get us to and from wherever we want to go. And it does so in a very boring way. What can I say?

I have that 9-year old MINI you have been pining for. Two years before the new MINI came out in 2002, I put my name on the list and paid, as I recall, $100 to reserve a place in line so when orders began to be taken, I could place one. I've now driven that MINI for 8 3/4 years (ordered in March 2002, delivered in September 2002). It's a Cooper S.

If you love to drive as I do, you should know that the reality is a good as the dream. Virtually nothing else on the road approaches the amount of fun I have gotten from my MINI. I live in a large city and often need to drive on busy, limited access roads. Getting through (yes, at times other cars are obstacles.) the traffic is easier in a MINI than any other car.

As for reliability, it's not perfect, but it more than acceptable. I can't recall the reason, but about 5 years ago I had to put about $2,000 in it for something. Now, it is has asked me to do this again, which I have willingly done. This has not been for any part of the drivetrain, but for electronics related things -- alternator, battery, auxiliary fan, power steering motor. In my view, the marginal cost is real, but realistically acceptable to me.

Seven weeks ago, I ordered a new MINI Clubman S. This reflects my view that the benefits (the fun) have so far outweighed the modest costs. You cannot believe how excited I am knowing that in about 10 days, I'll be going to the dealer to pick up my new MINI.

I hope this has been helpful. Good luck with your decision.

2002 MCS Dark Silver
2011 MCCS AllPepper White

 

I don't think I've seen a thread where the first two posters were first timers. Welcome aboard. Nothing beats a Camry for reliability, but nothing beats a MINI for smiles per mile. Our MINI's do require a certain amount of maintenance, but don't forget that these types of forums usually focus on problems, and not all that is good with the car. Whatever you decide, make sure you have a mechanic familiar with MINI's go over your car before you buy it. As an aside to AllWhite, why was the wait for your MINI so long? I ordered my R50 in April of 02, and it was delivered at the end of May.

 

Kmchale80 - Welcome to the forum!!

FWIW, which isn't much, Edmunds.com lists the 5 yr. 'true cost to own' of an '08 MC at $38,783 vs. $35,018 for an '08 Camry ($1600 of the difference is depreciation). If these numbers are anywhere close, the $3,700 over 5 years pales in comparison to the ride, fun, non-bordeom and the comraderie of this forum! I pulled the trigger a month ago and couldn't be happier.

Gotta agree with veggivet - If you do persue a used MINI, make sure it has been serviced and/or have a qualified mechanic check it out.

Good luck!

 

I don't want to hijack this thread, just want to respond quickly to Vegivet. I presume at introduction, each dealer received a similar allotment, while the demand varied by area. I may live in an area where demand is greater, thus the delay in receiving my MINI.