Sold the 2004 BMW 325i. Green Park S Clubman is on the way. I think the Mini is going to be fun. It was a somewhat painstaking process because I wasn't sure what I wanted. Mazda 3 was very practical but just not much of a fun factor. Fiat 500 turbo was very fun but just a little too small. Beetle Turbo was good. It came close. Kind of liked the Countryman -- could have fit all three kids in the back, marginally. But it didn't have the same kind of overall balance that the Clubman has. Standard Clubman was pretty good but I didn't feel that kick in second gear. Decided to spend the extra money on the S.

So Mini S Clubman here we come. My 82-year old mother is afraid I'm going to get crushed in it. She wanted me to buy a Prius.

 

I thought you were going to say a Fleetwood.

Welcome to NAM and congrats on your new MINI. This is just the beginning for you. Lots of information to review, so make sure to check out all the threads on ordering:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d-updated.html

Can't wait for those pics.

 

Here is a crash test photo of a MINI and a Large truck.

And here is a Prius

 

Just the Facts:

• The 2013 Toyota Camry and Prius V received a "poor" crash-test rating on Thursday from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
• The IIHS says the Prius V sustained major structural deformation in the new, tougher test

http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/sa...&trimid=114264

 

Welcome!

 

Ah, I always loved that comment when I first got my '03 MINI Cooper S. It was always fun to show people the MINI Cooper crash test, then the Ford F-150 crash test videos. Managed to change a lot of people's preconceived notion that bigger = safer.

Anyway, from a neighbor just south of the WI border...welcome to NAM & MINI ownership.

 

I think your mother needs a refresher on car safety.

But in all seriousness, welcome fellow Wisconsinite!

 

Welcome from the Milwaukee area!!

 

Welcome, another cheesehead here I was also looking at the Mazda 3 before picking the Cooper S, also thought exactly the same as you - handling is alright but there's no power to me. Good thing I found a great deal on a Cooper S at the same time and scooped it right up!

 

Should be driving home in it tomorrow night. Will try to post pictures this weekend.

 

OK, here it is.

 

Nice!!

 

Got a nice review from the next door neighbor. She said, "That might be the cutest car I've ever seen." I've been driving around town, and just a bit on the highway, and the more I drive it, the more I like it.

 

Post a few pics and we'll be the judge of that.

 

That's it, four posts up.

 

O.K., Scott549, I see it now. Somehow, cute doesn't seem to fit this MINI. I think fantastic describes it more accurately. Congrats on your new MINI.

 

Pleasant surprises so far:

The accent lighting. It's cool.

iPod connection. Even without the Mini Connected option, it came with a USB + aux iPod cable. Works great. Will not need Bluetooth for music.

And yes, the way the car drives. Spending some time with it, without a salesman in the car, makes it a much better experience than the test drive.