I just picked up a 2013 Countryman S All4 with 43,000 miles on it (for the wife, really) -- My wife had always loved the Coopers and I was on the verge of getting one several years ago, then we discovered we were having twins. At that point we decided a minivan was more appropriate than a mini :(

Fast-forward to now, and I found a pretty sweet countryman & decided to check it out. This thing is a freaking Tardis -- bigger on the inside than the outside We managed to fit the entire family (mom, dad, 14 year old girls, 7 year old twins - IN THEIR CARSEATS!) It's a little tight but it definitely works!!

I sold my car - a 2004 Cadillac DeVille. Talk about a culture shock! You can actually FEEL THE ROAD in the mini! amazing. I don't get seasick when I turn the corner any more!! Also this thing is half the size of that caddy but still has the same room inside!! it's a little narrower, but I get more headroom in the mini than the caddy and there's tons of legroom yet too! Admittedly the trunk is just a LITTLE bigger on the caddy - but it was horizontal space and the mini has more than enough cargo space too. It's just more vertically oriented

I'm thinking I'm going to like this girl!

 

Hi and welcome to the nam family!
I also owned a 2000 Eldorado. Bought my first Mini a year ago and now I have eight and no Caddy!
Nice looking Mini Maxi! They sure are nice

 

Heh. I had a 2004 Cadillac DeVille (sold for the MINI as I mentioned), a 2008 Honda Odyssey (minivan doesn't count as a MINI does it) and a 1988 Chevy Cavalier Z24 convertible. I think that counts as eclectic...

Caddy I sold: http://imgur.com/a/aWavB
Countryman (my wife's baby now): http://imgur.com/a/N54nU
Z24 vert (my baby): http://imgur.com/a/VE00f
Odyssey: it's a minivan. No pics 'cause... it's a minivan. You've seen a million of 'em (it's "black cherry" though)

 

Congrats, MINI owners come from all backgrounds. You will love the steering and the precise handling even for being a little up in the air. Hit the sport button more often if you like the response.

 

yeah I've discovered the joys of the sport button (what parameters, exactly, does that change here?). I've ESPECIALLY discovered the joys of the manual shift mode. OMG I miss a stick so badly! You DRIVE a stick. You merely guide an automatic. the manual shift mode is closer to a stick although it feels weird not doing anything with my left foot...

As far as being a little up in the air, I'm OK with that too. I've been telling people it's really more of a "mini crossover SUV." Living in Minnesota, I'm going to definitely appreciate the extra clearance and the all wheel drive this winter too, I'm sure.

 

Welcome.


Motor On!

 

And it might get you down the road a little farther with the same fuel. Minis are always a fun drive! That's quite the change in vehicle.

 

Heh. yeah that caddy had the 4.6L Northstar V8. I got 15mpg city / 24mpg highway. So far the mini is pulling 22 mpg city. The gas tank is 2/3 the size but the gas mileage is half again as much