Hello Everyone!

I am new here and I currently do not have a mini. yet. Right now I drive a outback sport and I am ready to trade. This and a miata are two cars I am looking to trade into. But I have to admit the mini really catches my eye. I want a car that handles good and just is fun to drive.
So...How do you all feel about your mini's? Pros/Cons

Thanks!

 

Miata and MINI are both great cars and cost about the same but are two entirely different vehicles. I had a Miata but prefer the MINI for everyday use.

 

I was reading that both those cars are supposed to have high fun factors to the driving part.
I plan to test drive them both to see which I like better. I was mainly looking for some pro/cons to the mini itself. I did the same on a miata board to see what goes for that car.

Just can't make up my mind yet. Though, I imagine after the test drive I will.

 

Welcome to NAM!

 

I belonged to Nam, and owned several t-shirts before I had a Mini.

I was compairing the new Mustang to the (01-06)Mini, because my wife & I have a 7yr old daughter. After numerous test drives I kept coming back to the MINI. I gave up a 4 door 4x4 explorer sport trac & have never looked back once I found an 03S model in dark silver.

Pros: fun, fun to drive, always take a 2nd look, very comfortable with 4 people in the car and some duffle bags, always a

cons: changing the oil doesn't look like fun, oil dipstick is a PITA, price of run flats

did i mention fun to drive......

 

There's no question that a MINI has more character, and and holds its value better. Of course you must realize, you are in a MINI forum and we're all going to recommend a MINI. You should go test drive both of them and decide for yourself what you like best.

 

You're not going to get too many Miata over MINI recomendations in the MINI forum I have always heard that the Miata handles wonderfully but have never even considered one because I don't care for their blah looks plus with the MINI you get a backseat, not a big one but it's still there just in case Plus I have never seen anyone give a Miata a second look when they drive by but with a MINI people still stop for a looksie even after 5+ years on the roads.

 

We've owned both, a 2000 MX-5 and a 2006 CS. Your talking about two completely different driving vehicles. Miata has a very small cockpit with no room, kick in the tail to drive but rear wheel drive along with all the attendent pros and cons with RWD. MINI's are larger inside but smaller outside, much more advanced tech-wise, and much more fun to drive. I got tired of the Miata after 12,000 mile it was a pain to get in and out of and you couldn't plan a long trip and be able to carry more than an extra pair of socks.

 

Im gonna start off and say that both cars are great.

I was actually looking at the miatas before buying my mini also.

I picked the mini for a few reasons.

1.) It has a backseat (although it is small) it still has one.
2.) Rear seats can fold down and this makes quite a bit of room. you could carry alot of food from the store, or a TV you buy and need to take home. If you havent looked at the mini's on the lot go check them out and put down the rear seats, its amazing how much stuff you can fit in a mini. (You can also put Pets in the back such as big dogs if you have them.)
3.) Not a convertable. (I do not personally like convertables but if thats your thing then you can get a convert' mini.)
4.) The Mini just screams character. Just looking at the car going down the street catches peoples eye.
5.) The Mini is extremely fun to drive. I recommend getting a manual and LSD if you can swing the $$$.

These are just a few reasons i choose to get a mini.

The only pro i can think of that the miata has over a mini is that it is rear wheel drive. Which can prove to be very fun if you are experanced at driving RWD cars.

So to sum it all up, they are both great cars but i think the mini is slightly more versatile.

 

Thanks eveyone for your comments.
I plan to test drive both and go from there. I am seeing that the mini might be more of a practical car/fun car then the miata. But...I still need to test drive both and way the pros/cons. Either way I think these cars will be fantastic.

 

I have driven the mini and I liked it! I am going out to try the Cooper S to see how I like that one. The miata was cool...but I don't know if I am digging the lack of space. Though...the mini I drove was in bad condition. The dealer had to jump it and a odd light (looks like a "U" Shape) kept flashing. I have no idea what that is.
What makes me nervous is I am hearing that these cars have electrial problems. But so far....I do like how it drives.

 

oh yeah... definitely... that was what caused this nervous twitch in my right eye.. j/k...

i wanted a MINI b4 but man, once I got behind that wheel that was it...