Its over 9 years now since we bought anything but a MINI. Back then the Civic Si was the top contender. The fact that the Civic only came with a garish red interior was one point against it. I think the MINI just won on everything though.

Last year I suggested getting a Cayman R, the wife suggested the JCW instead.

 

Way back in '05 when I bought my 1st MINI I strongly considered a VW Beetle Convertible. At the time I owned a Cabrio and figured I would stay in the VW family. I remember pulling up next to a MINI during my test drive...I don't remember exactly what was said but I still didn't even consider a MINI. They weren't everywhere then and it just wasn't on my radar. Then my mom brought up the MINI as an option and since they had came out the convertible...I caved in went to the dealer. A month later with no idea how to drive a manual I signed on the dotted line and had my mom drive my new MINI home.

 

I would have bought a 7th-generation VW GTI 6-speed if it were available. (Not here until next year.) The 6th-gen GTI I traded in on my JCW Hardtop was one of the all-around best and most reliable cars I've ever owned - not a single problem in 3 years. The MINI won me over simply because it was so much fun to drive - it realy passed the test on my favorite decreasing-radius, uphill, blind Interstate entrance ramp - and the MINI community is pretty cool too.

My second choice would have been a 2013 Honda Accord V6 6-speed, just because it was so ridiculously fast. But it really needs limited-slip, the interior was boring and the whole car just felt one size too big.

Non-contenders were the Focus ST (terrible seats and inexcusably hard-to-operate Sync), Miata Club PRHT (felt agricultural and just old-tech, plus I've already owned 3), Fiat 500 Abarth (questionable dealer and a 5-speed that shifted like a bucketful of poo with a few metal bits mixed in), Scion FRS (really fun to drive, but crummy interior and awful seats) and Mustang GT/Camaro 1LE (been there, done that).

 

Seriously considered a Hyundai Veloster Turbo - but there was no way to get a Standard transmission with the Ultimate package (Sunroof, infotainment system, etc.)

Left my contact info and preferences with two separate dealers and never got so much as an email back. Would have saved a ton of money, but not worth it if you can't get what you want.

Happy with my choice, and hope to have the new Paceman in a couple weeks.

 

For me it was a choice between:

Abarth 500
Abarth Punto
Renault Clio RS Cup
Suzuki Swift Sport
Alfa Romeo Mito
VW Polo GTi

In the end it was close between the Clio and the Mini. Ultimately the Clio was the more rewarding drive but the lil lady was tired of my boy toys and wanted something a bit more "nice". So the Mini was a good compromise of driving fun and a bit of posh.

 

When I was in Romania, my uncle received a VW Polo, very nice. I do like them!

 

They are quite nice but I can't stand the VW DSG. If they would put their 6 speed in it, it would be a more interesting choice. Hate how they won't hold a gear and shift automatically at redline.

 

Always swore that I would NEVER have one (too small).........but it was the only car on the road that 'turned my head' if that makes sense. I looked at several makes/models but only long enough to know not what I wanted. I started with Countyman but already have SUV (which I plan to sell/trade soon).....then a convertible Mini S but would have to stay outside all the time so did not want to keep it outside.........so, after lots of thought & test drives of several of each, I decided on Mini Cooper S & love it!!!

So, there is my story.............
\m/

 

Huh? Put it in sport mode. Holds fine.. I wish Mini had a DSG like VW the auto trans in the Mini is a total slush box.

 

I initially was going to get a fun(ish) econobox (either Fit or mazda 2) after starting a new job, last year, that was almost 30 miles one way, and my '10 WRX was getting real tiring(had exhaust and stiff springs) and also mpg's were eating my wallet. However, I thought to take a shot at the MC non-S and got a real good deal on the WRX and decided to splurge for the S. Couldn't be happier!

 

I've driven worse auto transmissions.

Add a tune to the auto MCS, and problem solved(getting that sometime this month).

 

nope, it upshifts. even in sport mode.

 

I diddnt even consider a MINI. Its not that I diddnt like the car, its actually because I just diddnt think of it at the time! GTi's and Ford focuses are amoung the most common small cars around here, MINI's are more rare, even more rare is an R53 let alone a modified one.
My considerations were, in order of preferance:
1) Golf 4 GTi
2) BMW 116i 2dr
3) Ford Focus 1.6
4) Citroen C2 VTS

It was suggested by someone that I consider MINI, so I did some research and fell in love. The G4 GTi was also a strong option for me, its easy to mod, and easy to maintain. The BMW 116i felt slow, and I felt the steering feel was so floppy and soft and couldn't really feel the road but was a good car.

The MINI felt the most fun. And looked the best. And I loved the steering feel. Only thing that might tear my R53 and I apart now, might be a 2006 JCW GP.

 

I thought this thread was a joke.

My response: absolutely nothing.

 

I didn't almost, I did!

10 years ago I test drove a 2003 Ford SVT Lightning and a MINI Cooper S and loved both, even though they were completely different. I ended up getting the Lightning because the dealer was only 20 minutes away, compared to 90 minutes for the MINI dealer. Although I loved the Lightning, every time I saw a MINI for the next ten years, I would think, "I wonder if I should have.."

Given some of the problems that early MINIs were having, and the fact that I did haul a lot of stuff in the Lightning, I think I made the right choice at the time, but ten years later I decided that it was time for a change. This time, there was no question. On May 17, 2013, I traded in the Lightning for an Eclipse Gray 2013 MCS and have absolutely no regrets.

 

I was considering the following before I bought Bella.

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI
2012 VW Golf TDI
Multiple BMW 1 series
2003-2006 BMW 330 ZHP
2007-on BMW 3 series sport tourings
Audi A3 TDI
Volvo V50 T-5
Volvo S40 T-5
Volvo C30 T-5

Went for the Cooper S because I really liked it and got a killer deal. Bought her private sale from a friend.

Sent from my iPhone using NAMotoring

 

A few days after my 96 Acura Intergra broke down, I had my sights set on a ....gulp, Hyundai Elantra. A decent car with great mileage, but after the dealer wouldn't go below sticker, I walked away. And while I was walking away, he yelled out "that's rude!!" Was then going to look at a Mazda 3 or Subaru Legacy and then we drove by the Mini dealer. My wife said to me, "c'mon, you know you have always been intrigued by them." So we went in and a few hours later I had Dorothy, a 2011 MCS. It was the most hassle free experience I have ever had at a dealer.

 

Wow - what a winner. Great way to get repeat business, insult the customers as they are leaving!

 

Yea, have been kind-a-of surprised how salespeople seem to take things personal ie: when I did not bite into the extended warranty deal. Never had anything like that with Mini MA's.......

 

-

 

Nothing. I had a PT Cruiser with a performance chip, strut brace, and wheels that looked a lot like the retro Cragar SS 5-spoke mags. I was almost perfectly content with it and had no intentions of buying a new car until I made the mistake of checking out the MINI's, where I was greeted by the cutest MA on the planet who let me take a Justa auto out for a test drive, and then a S manual. Then I was toast -- the poor PT Cruiser didn't have a prayer.

Funny thing was, I really liked the PT. It was quirky in its own way (though not quite as quirky as a MINI), I had it set up almost where I wanted it (except for it being a sledge-o-matic), hauled almost anything I could think to throw in it (even piled a decent sized snowblower in it to take for repairs), and I never spent another dime on it other than gas and oil. But the MINI bug bites hard and deep. Since then I've had a Cooper S, then another Cooper S, then my wife wanted in on the fun and got a Clubby S, then she wanted more room and got a Countryman All4, and I couldn't just let that lie so I just got a Paceman All4.

 

My first choice was a Porsche 911, but since living on an island here on Okinawa and they don't have a Porsche dealer, plus they are super expensive here in Japan. So next choice was the Mini, I remember the fun I had with my Mini rental in Hawaii so bought through the Japanese auction a 2008 Mini Sidewalk edition. Should get the car in a week or so. Looking forward to having fun with the top down.

 

Looked at the New Dodge Dart, and seriously looked at the Hyundai Veloster

 

Wait, there were other cars to consider?

 

Believe it or no i was looking at a Volvo S40 T5. I was looking at a few online and at dealers when i saw a mini. After seeing the mini i started looking at more and more minis until i found this one. Im so glad i got a mini.