I used to drive a 2001 Impreza 2.5RS sedan. When I was looking for a replacement, I wanted something that is AWD, Manual, and slightly bigger than my old impreza, other cars I considered:

1. 2008 BMW 535XI (hard to find)
2. 2007-2008 Audi S4/ or A4 Avant with S-line (hard to find in manual, and not abused)
3. 2010/11 Subaru Legacy GT (they got rid of the Wagon, so I was bitter with Subaru, and the Forester didn't come with Manual).

 

We considered the new Subaru Impreza for its AWD with good fuel consumpton and manual gearbox availability. After back to back test drives, we decided the CMSA4 was far superior for a small difference in fuel consumption. Gearbox and clutch are MUCH better in the 2012 CMS (zero stalls in first 1600 miles with two drivers) compared to the Impreza; also much better steering, highway stability, engine response, options/ordering, and quality of materials. Very much worth the $10K difference in price.

Considered the Golf R based on its specs initially. Already own a 2009 VW Sportwagen TDI and I like VW's, but we rejected the idea finally because of poor fuel economy and low ground clearance, plus a long wait and likely high markup by dealers. Very satisfied with the decision.

 

This is one of the only cars I will ever say this about: You should get the automatic. The clutch absolutely ruins the car.

 

Clutch is fine, IMHO, for the 2012 CMS.

 

For our sake I hope you are wrong as we have already ordered the car and I have no interest in an automatic. I don't recall any professional reviewers disliking the clutch, so I'm hoping that it's an isolated issue. My GF, who regularly drives the MCS, said the clutch felt fine to her. Again I drove the car only 2 miles, and I may not be the best judge as I'm comparing it to a clutch on a 9 year old MCS with 150k miles and an '04 Porsche Carrera. But I do recall thinking that the clutch action was "way too light" if that makes any sense, and that it felt "flimsy".

 

We wanted just one car and it needed to do everything, get OK fuel efficiency, it needed to have All Wheel Drive, and it needed to be able to fit an infant seat comfortably with out impacting the front passengers comfort.

We considered used 2005-2008 Subaru Legacy wagon GT, and certified used versions of the Audi A4 Avant, BMW 328xi wagon, BMW 528xi, Audi A6 and the Acura RDX. We also considered the redesigned 2012 Subaru Impreza Wagon Sport.

Neither of them really did everything we wanted and as nice as each of those cars are, we would have had to compromise something.

The Countryman is perfected suited for us. Fits the infant seat perfectly. Plenty of room for us. We both wished the fuel efficiency was slightly better. We'd consider a Diesel version if it was to ever come to the states. However, for now, there is not another car out there that can replace our Countryman.

 

They may have changed it for '12, and I certainly don't mean to rain on anyone's parade, but it's an issue I've seen mentioned in nearly every review of the manual Countryman.

See, e.g., http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews..._march_update/

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/02/2...-october-2011/


There are others (I remember Autoblog complaining about it, and I think Motoringfile did, too), but I don't have the time right now to hunt them down.

 

Agreed - this seems like it was an issue before. I wonder if Mini changed up the clutch recently?

Lots of info here:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ly-clutch.html

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ox-review.html

http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews...bruary_update/

 

Ouch. Hope the issue has been resolved on the cars being built now...

 

Had a grand caravan, but was needing a new car. I been looking at minis for almost year and really wanting one, but wasn't sure I could go from the room of a mini van to the lack of room in a mini. I test drove the new Honda CRV and really liked it, but the mini kept whispering my name, than I found one at the right price and couldn't pass it up. 2 months now and I love it.

 

with 2 kids, we already have a honda odyssey and pathfinder. my wife was used to sitting up higher so we were looking at all the small SUV's from a kia sportage to a X3, GLK and lexus RX. we couldn't agree on any of them but the second we took a look at the countryman, we knew it was the car for us.

 

VW Touareg, Honda CR-V. Decided both were boring.

 

There is now 3 in the family, so, i had been looking around to replace my MCS. My criteria are, balance between comfy and fun. Right now i'm leaning towards the GTI. The base model GTI has the right amount/mix of standard features i want and need, no sunroof, no navi (stand alone unit are great and portable), looks great inside and out, refined in and out. I've gotten an offer with as much as 3k off the mrsp. WRX is a close second, initial msrp price is very competitive, an offer similar to the GTI would bump it up to top. Love the WRX wider body design, looks very aggressive and the performance backs it up too, nice interior also. The CMS all4 is out. I had one as a loaner for a couple of days. After a day with it, i couldn't wait to get my MCS back. The CM is lost on me, i just don't get it. Although the exterior looks nice, the interior is just plain UGLY. While MINI's interior design works for the smaller cars, with the CM, everything seems out of place. The design quirkiness that works with MINI's smaller cars just doesn't work on a bigger scale. Quality seems subpar too, feels cheap. The drive, let me just say the only thing good that it has going for it, "It feels planted". I test drove the Nissan Juke, and to be honest, it's all around better than the CMS all4.

 

You posted on the wrong thread...this is "What other cars did you consider before deciding ON the Countryman?" Just kidding, everyone is entitled to their opinion :-)

 

I considered the following:

A4, 2013 coming out soon and my current MINI's lease is ending.
New 3-series, AWD is not out yet, again can't wait for it to come out.
TSX, looks too much like transformers.
Infinity G, too porky.
C-Klass, it drives nice, but can't get over having a MB in my 30s.

Maybe I was set for having another MINI, but I needed a 4 door.