Well, Hello!

I have been looking for a new car for about two months now. The decision to sell my 93 Camry started when I found out a neighbors friend was selling his 01 GS430. When i found out the deal and that i could afford it i was ready to buy it. However, once the owner didn't call me back after a few days i started to look at other cars. I knew, or so i thought, that whatever i got had to be rear wheel drive, fast and fun to drive. However, most of the cars were out of my price range or had high miles. So, i opened up my search to all wheel drive. A local dealership had a WRX on the lot so I went over there for a drive. Thats where it all started...

I looked and next to the WRX sat a mini S. I had always read in mag's about how they were so much fun to drive and felt bigger than they looked. That always interested me. So, I asked to drive the mini first. These things are fun! I had a blast, the transmission felt great, everything was great except i felt like i was sitting on the steering wheel(this was fixed once i found out you CAN move the set back and forth...not just up and down. ) I then drove the WRX, felt to much like my Camry. So, i have now come driven something from almost every class and decided i would like a MINI.

I have done some research and cannot find that much regarding the safety of the mini. With the help of a search i was able to find the crash test rating's and comparison between it and an F-150 but i would like more. I am not all that worried about safely, but my parents are. And because i still live at home while in school, they do have some say. Any information to help swing things my way is appreciated.

 

Hey, welcome to NAM! I'm also living with my parents/going to school and my mom could care less about the car I drive as long as it's safe. Well, the MINI is a VERY SAFE car. It's made by BMW who is known for their safety standards, and because of the work they put into making these cars safe, the MINI actually has a 4-star safety rating and was awarded "Best Pick" by the Insurance Institute for Highway Saftey (the guys that do the crash tests with dummies). You can look into it more if you like, MINI will talk about the work they've done to make the cars safe in any of their brochures and on their website. Enjoy the MINI!

 

Also, the side airbag system (head part) in the Mini has received some praise as well, since it is more than just a "curtain" but really a bolster type air bag. If you do the research "bigger" isn't always safer if the car is less controllable. All things begin equal, if a Mini hits an Excursion head on, the Excursion probably has a better chance, simple because it is so massive. In the real world, however, that is not the typical accident. So poke around, for a smaller call the Mini rates well and the real world accident information speaks well of them too.

Just remember to tell them you'll drive responsibly too! I never took street corners at 30 mph in my Toyota, so from that respect it probably forced me to drive more cautiously.

 

Good thinking. I am also pulling data on the Camry to show that i am actually driving something not as safe I know, sly.

The more research i do the safer it looks, which is what i found all along

 

Very safe. Lots of airbags...just don't hit anything bigger than a breadbox.

Cheers,

 

I think your parents would be pleasantly surprised at how safe the MINI is. There have been many articles posted on here (do a search) and out on the net about the safety of it. Hope you get it - they are a blast!! Whoo Hooo

Donna

 

Well, i bought it. The thead about the MINI can be seen here https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=58635

 

Ah - so you did! Excellent... I should pay closer attention...

Donna