Hey,

I'm Kyle, i'm 17, and I'm from New Hampshire.

I currently drive a 2003 Saturn Ion (go ahead and laugh) that I got when I turned 16. I'm going to keep that a bit longer, then start looking for a new car. As of right now, the Mini is at the top of my list. I'm planning on commuting to college a couple days a week for awhile (about an hour each way) so I need a somewhat reliable and economical car. Being a car enthusiast, the Saturn isn't cutting it. I want something fun to drive, while still being practical for a teenager at the same time. I've decided to go ahead and get a new Mini, opposed to a used one. I'm going to keep it through school, so I want it exactly how I want it to be. This place seems pretty cool, I look foward to reading up on the Mini here, because I really don't know that much about it, other than the fact that it's one sweet looking ride. I'm hoping to have my Mini sometime this Spring, or early summer.

-Kyle

P.S. If any of you visit Mini2 as well, I'm MiniMadness87 over there...and you probably noticed I used basically the same intro over there as well.

 

Firstly I guess, welcome to the site.
Secondly.......you drive a Saturn Ion?? Bahhhh ha ha ha hah ah ha. Hey...you said to go ahead and laugh.
Well, the MINI will be a great improvement in just about every area over the Ion, with maybe the exception of cargo space. If you're looking for a new one in the time that you specified, you may want to think about placing the order sometime soon. Depending on what the wait is like where you are and the dealers around you, you may be waiting awhile. Some wait just for the car to be produced (est. 3 months). Others wait 6 months to a year or more due to large customer orders.
Not a biggy, but you're looking at getting a MINI not a Mini. The lower case version refers to a classic older generation Mini. The capitalized version is brought to us by BMW's addition to the name. In case you didn't know.
Care to share what you're looking at getting, as far as options and such?
Cheers,

 

Sure

2005 MINI Cooper (non-S)
5 speed manual
liquid yellow/or chili red (I'm open on the roof colors)
black leatherette
panoramic sunroof (or if I can find one on the lot with the premum package, I'll take that)

So basically, it's pretty basic...I hope I can find one on the lot that's close to what I want so I don't have to wait.

I went in to more detail in one of my other posts, here's the link:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=34798

 

"Finding" a MINI may be a challenge. The vast majority of MINIs are ordered for each customer from the factory. There are not many sitting around on dealer lots. There are some, but the chances of finding one with the options and in the color you want will be slim.

 

Actually, my dealer has 28 on the lot right now...that's not too bad.

 

You're really going to enjoy driving a Cooper...perfect for commuting and zipping around campus. I must say, one does tend to become a bit neurotic about parking "safely", but that's because its so easy for MINIs to become a vehicle one develops a real attachment to...a car you can actually care about. A "basic" Cooper is great...for the money it's hard to beat for standard features, performance, practicality, and most certainly the intangible "fun factor." Mine's been rock solid, too!

 

I hope so...I'm kind of attached to my current car. I'm bored of it, and it's not really "fun" at all, but it's my very first car, so I'm still a bit attatched, as you would expect. My new Mini better make me fall in love with it so I don't regret selling my current car.

 

Hi, welcome.

I am glad you're with us. The Saturn Ion sure takes a lot of heat these days, (second only to the Ponitac ***-crack). I'll not demoralize you about your choice in Saturns. All that counts is that you're on the right path now.

By considering a MINI, you're doing yourself a huge favor in the "fun-to-drive" and "my-car-is-unique" category. Prepare yourself in advance for many people engaging you in conversations about your car. Most times, people are excited for you, but they can slam you as well.

They'll ask what you feed the gerbil that powers your car, or how many boxes of Cap'n Crunch you had to eat to get that car. They'll tell you how small it is, and how little you can put into it. They'll say, "hope you never get into an accident in that little tin can of yours" (knowing nothing of how safe this car is).

Well, just keep cool when these questions come up. Let your driving, I mean MOTORING do all the talking for you. You'll get incredible gas mileage, all while having the time of your life in your new go-kart.

Good luck, let us know when you get a MINI.

 

That's funny you say that. I've already told quite of few of my friends what I'm getting, I posted it on the Saturn forum I sometimes visit, and obviously my parents know.

So far I've heard:

Good luck walking away from an accident in that thing, hit anything at 5 mph and you're as good as dead.

They're SO small...can people actually fit in it?

They're overpriced

115 HORSEPOWER!!!!!

It's a toy car

It's a chick car

It'll make you look gay

You're a spoiled brat

...that's only a few...but for every negative comment, there has been 10+ positive ones.

I got the same thing when i got the Saturn (safety)

everyone tells me...including a VW salesman who happened to see my car while I was with my mom looking at the Touareg...

"I wouldn't want to be in an accident in that, it's PLASTIC!"...I guess they don't realize that the plastic is on top of a steel space frame. Can people be dumb enough to think the car is actually made of plastic?

OK...done with my rant...can't wait to get my Cooper. I'm gonna schedule a test drive next week (Christmas break).

 

Forgot to respond to this in the my last post...

From now on...My number one requirement in a car is that it's an attention-getter. I would love it if people came up to me to ask me about my car, and I'd be proud to show it off. (the MINI, not the Saturn)

When I first got the Ion, they were JUST coming out...mine's an '03, the first year.

People would look at the car when I drove by, no doubt thinking "what the hell is that ugly thing", but none the less, I liked the attention. Now, around here anyway, Ions are as common as Civics and Corollas, so no one, not even other Ion drivers, give a second look. I miss that. The other night I was driving and a white Ion identical to mine was behind me. At a light, she pulled up right next to me, I looked over to see if she even noticed we had the same car, she didn't even look over.

I think that with the Mini, It'll be different. They're still really rare up here, I see 1-4 a month, tops.

 

I gotta tell you that odds are very unlikely that you will find one like that on any dealer's lot. They love to add all 3 packages. That pushes the price up over the 22 grand mark. And if you are fortunate enough to find only the premium package, it will probably have CVT.

Your first step is to find out if your local dealer charges over sticker price. Configure your car on MiniUSA and then that is the price. If your dealer will not match that price, look for another dealer. Then once you find a dealer ask if they have any cars on order that can have the options reconfigured. If they do, go for that one otherwise you may have quite a long wait!

 

Dang it, this is dissapointing me. I already have to wait 4 to 5 months before I can order, I really don't have time to wait another three months or more on top of that. My car's value is dropping fast, and If I sell it now I'd be out of a car for months, which I can't do. What to do, What to do.....

Like I mentioned before, I'm going to my local Mini dealership next week for a test drive/info session...I hope they'll be able to answer most of my questions.

 

If by early summer, you mean during summer break, you can order one from Classic or one of the other dealers that are well thought of in this forum. And then go and get it when you're done with school.

Not sure if you'll have any time off or if you'll be working right away, but consider the road trip angle. Am I correct, though, in presuming you need an adult present to buy the car? If so, and the parents can't go with, see if you can get the paperwork signed and notorized before you go out.

Don't get dissapointed. To badly paraphrase Winston Churchill, "Never, never, never give up." You'll be able to work it out.

Where are you that a MINI dealer has 28 on the lot but you don't see any on the roads?

Oh, your choice of colors -- I thought you said you didn't want to be noticed? Liquid Yellow or Chili Red? Personally, my two favorite colors, but I'd pick those to BE noticed.

Hunter

 

Ok, I'll respond in a few different parts...

One of the Mini dealers near me (Mini of Peabody) is very highly reguarded from what I can tell. They sell at MSRP, and have owner cook-outs, rallies, and other fun stuff throughout the year. That is one plus.

I am in Southern NH, about 40 minutes to an hour north of Boston. The dealer that has 28 on the lot is about an hour away from me. While that's not too far, I rarely see any Minis on the roads.

You must have mis-read...I said I love to be noticed, and my number one requirement in a car is that it attracts attention...which explains my color choices...although I also like BRG because it's classic.