Last weekend I bought a used 05 Mini Cooper S with 15k miles on it, trading in my husband's 1999 BMW 328 for it. (Specs below in my sig.) I was actually shopping for a hybrid or other high-mileage-capable car, but after years and years of being a "car gal" and autocrosser and a racer, I just couldn't stand the handling characteristics and wandered into a dealer with a used Mini Cooper. I figure that at least I'm not being a road hog and while the Mini's consumption numbers won't surprise anyone, they aren't completely pathetic, either.

I'm not a fan of front-wheel-drive (understeer and I are mortal enemies, while oversteer and I are old friends) but the Mini is "tossable" enough that it meets my specs (my other cars have been BMWs, a Porsche 911, and various rwd Fiats). The Mini isn't what I'd call over-engined, but it's very zippy and off the line quickly and around the corner neatly, which is what I've always cared more about anyway that ultimate top speed. The 911 was nice, but miserable to drive at legal street speeds. The Mini makes that fun - although I still have to keep an eye on the speedometer.

Mini buying story - the car came equipped with a CAI and an aftermarket Schnitzer exhaust. I managed to bargain down the car quite a bit on those items, which I scornfully called "boy racer" and complained that they made the car louder. Which they do, by accentuating the supercharger whine and adding a nice deep note to the exhaust. I'd probably have paid slightly MORE for them....

I've already placed my first expensive order for various bits of Mini jewelry (also below in sig). I'm thinking about all-season tires - the long NW rainy season is about here and I have doubts about these Pirelli Euphorias. I've already had it in to the dealer once (the driver side door decided to never let me out again) and had an oil change done. Since the car is for me and my dog to careen around town in, I'll need seat covers (I've never been a fan of leather seats anyway), and I'm looking at the Wet Okoles.

~ Mo

 

Hello there, welcome to NAM.

How's about some pics of your new beastie??

 

Congrats and Welcome to NAM.

 

Congrads on the super find. Some pics would be great and if you decide on the seat covers I would love to see pics of those too. I have been considering them myself and had ordered samples but they never showed up. There are so many MINI's that I have seen around Portland since I got mine in April its unreal and I could not be happier with my choice. Happy Motoring and remember to wave around town!

 

I will wave! I'm also looking for someone around town who will put on one of those clear film "bra" covers for the front and the back hatch sill - did you get yours done in town somewhere? I also want the aftermarket window tinting taken OFF the front side windows (might be nice in California, but here in NW the winter it'll make the interior of the car feel like a cave).

I'm probably headed out to the Willamette Motor Club autox in Albany next weekend - I want to get a controlled trial of EXACTLY how hard I can pitch the car and a better guage of the tendency to want to swap ends, rather than discovering that on the street somewhere.

~ Mo

 

Welcome to NAM and the world of MINIs! I can't wait to hear your opinion after you've autoxd.
Annette

 

Thanks! It'll be interesting, since I haven't driven a Stock-class car since the 2001 Solo2 Nationals (what an awful year that was for Nationals....)

My last autox car was a Prepared class tube-frame mid-engined rear-wheel-drive car on slicks, so this'll be a big leap.

~ Mo