Hello I live in MN and I am looking at buying a Mini this feb-march.
My wife wants me to get a Auto but I am not sure what that will do to my get up and go( The cars not me personally) or the fuel economy.
Any advice?
thanks

 

The automatic transmission saves lots of hassle--especially if your wife prefers it. And I find an automatic a lot more sociable--as though the driver has one less distraction from the in-cockpit conversation (whether present or via mobile phone). So much multi-tasking occurs in a car now that shifting ought to be reserved for talented drivers. I lack the coordination to shift smoothly so my choice (and I had to wait until MINI decided to produce it) is the MCSa. It may get the worst gas mileage of all the various MINI models, but compensates by being very easy to drive--especially in rush hour. Power? Too much for most conditions anyway. Have fun deciding.

 

Everyone has an opinion on auto vs manual... Boils down to personal choice.

My Mini is the 6 speed manual.

 

I've always purchased manual transmissions. Keeps 90% of the driving population from being able to borrow my car.

 

If you want the manual but your wife wants the auto and it'll be her car most of the time see if she'll go for the steptronic MCSa. It'll give her the auto while still letting you have fun sometimes.

 

I would argue the exact opposite as you. Multi-tasking should be left for situations in which you are not in control of a potentially deadly weapon.

 

Ditto.

 

Make that three.

 

The fact that the "skill" to operate a manual transmission is somehow "distracting" from being able to talk on one's cell phone while driving is truly a frightening concept....a stick shift is less "sociable"??? Aye carumba....

 

When I'm controlling a potentially deadly weapon, I'd rather not have to worry about using a clutch & stick shift! That's why I got an automatic.

 

Buy or do not buy. There is no think. - Yoda MINI


Six speeds has he who would not "S" in auto. - Yoda MINI


Getrag = good karma.

 

It's a MINI!! It's FUN to drive, and shifting makes driving even MORE fun.

Granted, the first MINI i drove was an MCa, and i thought it had plenty of power... but once i learned manual, i never looked back. Stop and go traffic isn't bad at all, because the shifting is so plush. And you're only shifting when you're speeding up or slowing down (unless you're like me and shift just for the heck of it... or are trying to show off for friends)... times when you need to pay attention anyhow, and shouldn't be on a phone.

It always boils down to personal preference, and if your wife will be the main driver. Of course, didn't exactly say if she CAN drive manual, just that she wants an auto.

 

The 'get up and go' on the auto MCS is great, perhaps you can get a loaner or go on a long test drive to feel it out (although it does improve as you own it and the software adjusts to your drving style). Be sure to test it in full manual mode and rev it good to top out each gear, taking it around some bends, etc and stretch its legs so to speak.

As for the ongoing auto vs manual opinions you can read a butt-load of them by searching on NAM, Mini2, etc. Its all subjective obviously so do what suits you and your life best.

Cheers.

 

Bingo! You want to multi-task, do it at home.

Pete

 

There seems to be more failures with automatics,at least in the postings I have read on this site. You might want to spend some time reading beneath the bonnet.

Part of the fun to me is shifting. It is not hard to learn and a good skill to have in everyones bags of tricks.

 

I guess it all boils down to preference, but I've never found that having a manual detracted from my ability to have a conversation with somebody in the car. Of course you can't hold a cell to your ear and shift and steer at the same time, but you shouldn't be using a cell (or should have a handsfree at the very least) while driving anyways! Maybe it's just me but shifting becomes a very "natural", automated part of driving once you get used to it... in fact, whenever I get in an automatic transmissioned vehicle, my left foot still wants to clutch. I lost count of how many times I've bumped my head off a steering wheel because I slammed my left foot on the break in anticipation of a downshift.

 

Just a question, how do you make a post and have 0 posts

Earl

ps OH, I just realized you don't have a MINI yet and you need one to be in first gear.

 

I have to chime in because I do not believe that to be accurate in the long run since the harness issue was detected and addressed. There was an issue with the engine harness wearing and causing severe problems but they did discover that and have issued a recall to move that (and likely moved it subsequently in production) so that is not an issue anymore. The ASIN auto transmission itself looks to be a very good one - as it goes there will likely be some failures as there have been on the manuals and CVTs as well. Both autos and manual cars have had an array of software problems however, from rough idling to full limp mode. There have been upgrades and some cars have been helped, others have not and lemons have come up regardless of the transmission.

 

Driving a manual doesn't require any thought.

 

I do that too. I get the jimmy legs when driving automaic. I need something to do with my left leg. It gets bored just sitting there.

 

Welcome to NAM, tim77! Get to a MINI dealership and test-drive all of the different models. See which one you prefer. Have fun checking them out and let us know what you thought of them.