R60 Just Ordered!
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Joined: Dec 2010
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Just Ordered!
Hi all, I'm a long time lurker, and I figured I should finally poke my head up out of the ground here because I finally ordered my Countryman S yesterday!
I spent an inordinate amount of time figuring out what car we were going to settle on. I looked at practically everything available new or used for under $35k My basic criteria was simple, but vague: it had to be a car that I'd like to take on a week-plus road trip with my fiancé. The 'shortlist' that resulted included cars as varied as the Cinquecento, Fiesta, GTI, Cayman (surprisingly affordable when used), TT (ditto), and Mini Hardtop, Clubman, and Countryman. We really didn't need any particular kind of car: my fiancé is holding onto her Focus hatchback, which is a super versatile car, so I really was free to choose a car that really 'spoke'' to me. I believe in owning a car until it's close to no longer being fit for every day use (my 323i is close to that stage), so it had to be a car I really liked, because I am going to own it for the foreseeable future.
Spec sheets, reviews, and auto shows are no substitute for hard seat time, though, and test drives over the past few months slowly sorted things out. The Fiesta was the first to get cut: I really disliked how Ford softened the suspension from the Euro version I drove on the Fiesta Movement tour, and the power was short of adequate. The Cinquecento was cut due to the lack of power, too: given its size, it had to be the 'fun' car, but it's just not fast enough to qualify as fun. The Mini Hardtop is a great car and is very fun, but it's just too twitchy for my tastes: it's like an over-energetic puppy; the ride is just too rough for me, too. I personally couldn't imagine being happy to drive several hours straight in it. The Clubman got disqualified as soon as I sat down in it and looked in the rear view mirror: I couldn't stand the visibility obstruction that the club doors caused.
That left the final four of the TT, Cayman, GTI, and Countryman. The Cayman ultimately was eliminated from consideration because the lack of backseats made it hard to justify as a long-term car in a 2 car family, when we expect to have children in the not too distant future. The TT was next to go. I'd always wanted one based just on the looks alone, but the reality of the test drive was quite sobering. The headrest angle forced my head down, straining my neck and shoulders while I drove. Perhaps I didn't notice it at the auto shows that I went to because I was purposefully looking down at the instruments and dash, but when driving it became really uncomfortable. The ride over pretty smooth roads also made my fiancé's back ache, too.
That left the GTI and the Countryman. What it simply came down to was this: the Countryman left us smiling and enthusiastic after every test drive (3 of them), while the GTI didn't. The GTI is an excellent car (and I think the Countryman's closest direct competitor along with the Focus hatch), and has some quirkiness to it with the plaid seats and flat-bottomed steering wheel. It is also faster than the Countryman by a considerable margin (the Countryman is plenty quick for me). It just didn't have the "Wheeeee!!!!" factor that the Countryman S has, however. The Countryman just felt lively and fun compared to the GTI, yet still was comfortable. It still was a hard decision, because the GTI can be obtained for several thousands less than the Countryman, but what ultimately pushed it over the edge for the Countryman was its commodious interior and sheer practicality. Yes, it lacks a middle seat, but the GTI's middle seat isn't all that much better. Plus, the stretch-out room available for the rear passengers wrecked the GTI in comparison. As for practicality, the Countryman passed the Harp Test far better than I could have imagined. My fiancé's harp fit easily in the Countryman: in most hatch backs, the harp has to go diagonally to fit. The Countryman, on the other hand, could fit behind it straight behind one of the front seats, so we would only need to fold one seat down. Absolutely brilliant. The GTI, on the other hand, couldn't even fit the harp any which way, despite being several inches longer.
So, I put in an order for a Surf Blue Countryman S with a white roof & stripes, 17" anthracite wheels, Mini Connected + Nav, Convenience Package, auto trans, xenons, and the HK audio. I love that I can customize it exactly to how I want it.
It's funny: the Countryman wasn't even on my radar until I saw it at the LA Auto Show in November. I wasn't even thinking of it as a prospect at that time: I only checked it out because i felt an obligation to make sure I did my due diligence on everything available. My fiancé was absolutely incredulous when I came home raving about the Countryman. Five months later and I have a deposit on one and my fiancé like it so so much that she says that when it comes time to replace her Focus, she'll take the Countryman if I want the new car (she's an awesome gal, I tell you).
The wait won't be fun, but I'm sure it'll be worth it!
I spent an inordinate amount of time figuring out what car we were going to settle on. I looked at practically everything available new or used for under $35k My basic criteria was simple, but vague: it had to be a car that I'd like to take on a week-plus road trip with my fiancé. The 'shortlist' that resulted included cars as varied as the Cinquecento, Fiesta, GTI, Cayman (surprisingly affordable when used), TT (ditto), and Mini Hardtop, Clubman, and Countryman. We really didn't need any particular kind of car: my fiancé is holding onto her Focus hatchback, which is a super versatile car, so I really was free to choose a car that really 'spoke'' to me. I believe in owning a car until it's close to no longer being fit for every day use (my 323i is close to that stage), so it had to be a car I really liked, because I am going to own it for the foreseeable future.
Spec sheets, reviews, and auto shows are no substitute for hard seat time, though, and test drives over the past few months slowly sorted things out. The Fiesta was the first to get cut: I really disliked how Ford softened the suspension from the Euro version I drove on the Fiesta Movement tour, and the power was short of adequate. The Cinquecento was cut due to the lack of power, too: given its size, it had to be the 'fun' car, but it's just not fast enough to qualify as fun. The Mini Hardtop is a great car and is very fun, but it's just too twitchy for my tastes: it's like an over-energetic puppy; the ride is just too rough for me, too. I personally couldn't imagine being happy to drive several hours straight in it. The Clubman got disqualified as soon as I sat down in it and looked in the rear view mirror: I couldn't stand the visibility obstruction that the club doors caused.
That left the final four of the TT, Cayman, GTI, and Countryman. The Cayman ultimately was eliminated from consideration because the lack of backseats made it hard to justify as a long-term car in a 2 car family, when we expect to have children in the not too distant future. The TT was next to go. I'd always wanted one based just on the looks alone, but the reality of the test drive was quite sobering. The headrest angle forced my head down, straining my neck and shoulders while I drove. Perhaps I didn't notice it at the auto shows that I went to because I was purposefully looking down at the instruments and dash, but when driving it became really uncomfortable. The ride over pretty smooth roads also made my fiancé's back ache, too.
That left the GTI and the Countryman. What it simply came down to was this: the Countryman left us smiling and enthusiastic after every test drive (3 of them), while the GTI didn't. The GTI is an excellent car (and I think the Countryman's closest direct competitor along with the Focus hatch), and has some quirkiness to it with the plaid seats and flat-bottomed steering wheel. It is also faster than the Countryman by a considerable margin (the Countryman is plenty quick for me). It just didn't have the "Wheeeee!!!!" factor that the Countryman S has, however. The Countryman just felt lively and fun compared to the GTI, yet still was comfortable. It still was a hard decision, because the GTI can be obtained for several thousands less than the Countryman, but what ultimately pushed it over the edge for the Countryman was its commodious interior and sheer practicality. Yes, it lacks a middle seat, but the GTI's middle seat isn't all that much better. Plus, the stretch-out room available for the rear passengers wrecked the GTI in comparison. As for practicality, the Countryman passed the Harp Test far better than I could have imagined. My fiancé's harp fit easily in the Countryman: in most hatch backs, the harp has to go diagonally to fit. The Countryman, on the other hand, could fit behind it straight behind one of the front seats, so we would only need to fold one seat down. Absolutely brilliant. The GTI, on the other hand, couldn't even fit the harp any which way, despite being several inches longer.
So, I put in an order for a Surf Blue Countryman S with a white roof & stripes, 17" anthracite wheels, Mini Connected + Nav, Convenience Package, auto trans, xenons, and the HK audio. I love that I can customize it exactly to how I want it.
It's funny: the Countryman wasn't even on my radar until I saw it at the LA Auto Show in November. I wasn't even thinking of it as a prospect at that time: I only checked it out because i felt an obligation to make sure I did my due diligence on everything available. My fiancé was absolutely incredulous when I came home raving about the Countryman. Five months later and I have a deposit on one and my fiancé like it so so much that she says that when it comes time to replace her Focus, she'll take the Countryman if I want the new car (she's an awesome gal, I tell you).
The wait won't be fun, but I'm sure it'll be worth it!
4th Gear
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 372
Likes: 0
From: Murrieta, California
Same with me. I had no interest in a Countryman until I saw it (and sat in it) at the LA Auto Show. I immediately took pictures and sent them to my wife, Sara. She was immediately onboard, and it didn't hurt that she sorely missed her 05 Cab S that we also had no interest in until we saw it at the LA Auto Show and bought one the next day.
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,212
Likes: 0
From: Cherry Log, Georgia USA
Wow, very thorough buying process there. I've had a MINI since '05 and my husband was always finding a reason to borrow it. When we decided this year that his truck was no longer valid for our lifestyle, plus gas prices were going nowhere but up, the CM was first on our list. We only ended up test driving 2 other cars and my husband decided that it was pointless to continue, the CM was the only one that gave him the sought after perma-grin.
He's had his Cosmic Blue CM for about 3 weeks and is totally infatuated.
Looking forward to your posts once you've picked up your CM!
Annette
He's had his Cosmic Blue CM for about 3 weeks and is totally infatuated.
Looking forward to your posts once you've picked up your CM!
Annette
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waiting for a delivery as well!!
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