She has wanted one for a while, but up here in Alaska there are no dealers for them. All the clean low milage models are selling for 6 to 7 over book. Well she was patient and kept looking, found someone who needed cash fast, got it for 3K under book!

This car is such a hoot to drive, I have had an s2000, 355 Spider and an Acura Integra Type R, this ranks right up there in fun to drive.

I like it so much, I might get one too, but I need the top off, whats the verdict on the verts?

Just wanted to say hi everyone, now off to the set up the acount and post some tech questions.

David

Anchorage AK
San Francisco CA

 

David,

we did the same thing - picked up on for my wife and then sold my turbo miata to get one. We both thought we would be looking at convertibles - both bought coupes. Sunroofs are great, and they are so much more functional.

hope that helps!

-jac

 

yea, but now that I don't ride motorcycles anymore (bad accident) I need the open air. The viper is great for that, but shes becoming a collectors item, (1992 model) so I want to keep the miles down.

But if the right coupe comes alone again, i am on it.

Thanks!

 

I thought i would miss the full open air as well, but i find that the coupe works for me...

 

where at in Alaska are you sizedontmatter? I grew up on Kodiak Island, left in '79, what beautiful country.

 

We are in Anchorage, I grew up there, left for college in TX for 5 years, then California non stop for 6 years.

This summer has sucked up here, probably the worst in a decade, still nice, but I only got to drive the viper about 2 dozen times.

 

Saw your title Picked up an S for the wife and the first thing I thought was, sounds like a good trade to me

 

nice!

 

The convertibles are fantastic. They are also the biggest attention getters from the general public & handle the twisties quite well. Losta hardtoppers around here bash cabrios, dunno why, but I wouldn't trade mine for anything. The sunroofs are so loud if I was getting a hardtop I would skip them all-together

Just curious...how far will you have to drive to a Mini dealership for servicing

 

no bashing here - just didn't fit my needs. The room that the hatch offers works better for me on a day to day basis than the drop top....

I agree - the sunroof can be VERY loud.

 

I know you weren't bashing fish.
I was just trying to get my jab in before it did start

 

The sunroof is loud, but sub 60mph is quiter than any vert I have ever owned.

 

I'm not saying my cabrio is quiet but it is the quietest & least windy one I have ever been in. It must have something to do with the curve of the windshield. Also, many swear by the windscreen you can buy for the verts but I don't have one so I dunno.

 

My parents have an MCSa out in Scottsdale. It's a blast. The relative "uprightness" of the Mini's windshield vs. other cars means (at least to me) that things open up a lot more. The openness reminded me a lot of my old Defender, as opposed to say a BMW 330Ci, where the windshield ends practically over your head and you have to look up and around to take in the open goodness.

Handling-wise, it's still a sharp little car. Perhaps not quite as sharp as the hardtop, but so close that you won't notice much unless you're at 10/10ths.

My biggest issue with it was the top-up visibility. The rearview mirror is obstructed by both the top and the roll hoops, and the blindspots to the side are certainly there. If that doesn't bother you, then I say go for it!