I'm a car nut, and have owned more cars(and wasted more $) in the last five years than anyone I know(Lexus, Porsche, BMW, Jaguar) and on my fourth Mini.

I can't stop looking at cars that I want! Wellzy and I drove a Lotus Elise SC this past fall and I spent hours looking at pictures/info on the net as well as the brochure.

Last week I drove the new Audi TTS and I'm obsessed! Killer performance and bad *** looks!

My question to everyone is what would own if you didn't have a Mini? Be realistic unless you really can afford a Ferrari or Mazarati or some other "dream" car (mine is the Audi R8 10 cylinder- 535 HP 0-60 3.6 seconds). Or, tell me both your "dream" car and what you "really" would own.

I can't imagine not owning my Mini. More of a "hobby" than just a great car. I never made so many good friends either!

 

Heh, I know what you mean - I went through more than half a dozen cars in the last 5 years, luckily I didn't lose my shirt with buying/selling the damn things, so I didn't actually spend too much money.

After playing with the 350Z for a year and then with the Elise for another year I'm finally growing up and looking for something more comfortable and usable as a daily driver - thus a MINI. If MINI didn't exist, I'd probably be looking at a 335 or a bit higher up the food chain in the M3/Lexus IS-F area. Problem is since I like new things I would've taken a huge hit with depreciation on any of these cars, so no crazy luxury car for me yet.

Problem is that only sedans that I like are BMW, and these things are not cheap. And my favorite hatch layout is rarely fun to drive (except for the MINI). I guess A3 / GTI could be an option, but I still don't trust VW reliability.

 

Hmmm...well, practically speaking, I'd still have my Jeep Wrangler. I LOVED that vehicle, and if I were to have something besides the MINI...I'd probably go back to a Wrangler, though hopefully the Sport version this time around. I just really appreciated the comfort and versatility of it.

Don't get me wrong--I'm a car/truck/whatever guy. My dad's a mechanic, so I've been around gears and grease most of my life, but there are a lot of just silly vehicles out there (in appearance, in usage, and--unfortunately--in silly owners' cultures), so I like a good balance of practicality and enjoyment.

My other option would be to COMPLETELY rebuild a late 70s Camaro from top to bottom. Or to do the same to my old car that's still sitting back home--a '74 Chevy Nova with a bored 454. Would really like to gut that thing and start over.

Someday.

 

the BMW 135i as well as the brand new Nissan 370Z. That Z is probably the performance value of all time at 332 HP at 29k. WOW! The GTR is a monster too at $70k and 480hp but I think it's UGHLY.

The new Cayman S is 320hp at $60 +. I had one for a year and it's great but went back to the Mini. How do you justify that over the Z unless you dig snob appeal. I also checked out the 355HP Mercedes SKL AMG-too "cushy".

I also love the 425HP Dodge Challenger! What a great homage to the muscle cars of the 60s/70s! The Camaro will be interesting as will the GTO which they plan to bring back (again). And the Mustang is crazy fast too. Unfortunately after a very bad year in a 2003 T-Bird I'm a little jaded on American made cars. And I hate saying that.

As of today my first choice is the Audi TTS. Wellzy told me he wouldn't love me anymore if I got one.

 

my winter ride/family ride is the Toyota FJ Cruiser. It's black with a white top and looks like a giant Mini (oxymoron). Need 4 wheel drive in Clevo winters.

 

I would probably go with a newer Corvette than my 81 {love the late 80s styling} Maybe a 2006 or 07, but I doubt I''ll get rid of my MINI. Just too much fun to drive!!

 

I've been riding my motorcycles for the last ten years, seven on my 02 Heritage Springer and three years prior to that a 98 BMW R1200C, logged close to 135,000 miles on the pair. So purchasing a car was difficult. The only car I liked was the MINI. Sure Mercedes & BMW make great choices as well as multiple others. But for me once I drove a MINI the choice was made.
It's on the Ship now and expected to the VDC on the 28th of January. Really looking forward to it. Mark--

 

Well, when I was shopping for my MINI, I was also looking at a brand new '06 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited.

I decided that I wanted to keep my '94 Cherokee, and that a Wrangler would be redundant. So I went for the MINI and haven't looked back since.

If I had to get rid of the MINI (and couldn't get another one to replace it), I'd probably try to find a lightly used '05-'06 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. I'm not really a fan of the JK-body Wranglers.

 

I am a big fan of the Scion XB's absurd appearance. I would have to have the bright green one I saw while driving today. The Scion is to vans what the Mini is to station wagons.

 

I hear ya, oldchicago. While I had my Jeep, I still had been riding my 06 Sportster (1200) for two years, so I wanted to get a vehicle that gave me the same sort of exhilaration.

D, I knew I liked you for a reason! Excellent taste, good sir.

 

as I approach 100,000 miles I can not imagine driving anything else but a Mini. I guess I'd get a Cabrio MCS if I must get second means of transportation.

 

Oh I'd probably buy a Subaru & go out bashing about on forest roads in southern Ohio. Been there done that, had way big fun.

On second thought I'd buy another MINI.

 

Ford Lightning built with a 3.4L Whipple

 

2002-2006 M3.

The current model is fugly.

 

I have no idea what I'd be driving if I didnt have my MINI. Anything else that I could live with day to day with would just be transportation.

 

I own more than one car, but If I had to swap the MINI for something I think it would be a 996.

 

If I was to have another vechile it would be a Jeep Wrangler. We had one prior to the MINI's and I still want one. But if I could have any car it would be a Purple Haze and silver MINI, I love that combo.

 

Had my MINI up for sale to escape car payments, but ended up keeping her... there was just nothing else I really wanted!

If the MINI never existed, I'd probably look at an A4 or a late 90's 3-series. I looked into them when selling my MINI, but it just came back to the fact that there is no other car I'd rather own than my MINI.

(Seriously... hand me the keys to just about any car up to $150K, and I'd hand 'em back!)

 

I like my other car, a beige '67 VW Beetle and I'm happy with that. If I had to get another car, it wouild be a 2006 CR-V. I would want a Crossman but since I can't have another MINI in this thread, the CR-V it is. I've had a 2003, a 2005, 2006, and a 2007. I love them all but I had to get rid of them for various reasons.

 

'67 was the best year for Beetles - 1st with 12v electrics, 'strong' motor, last of the non-fed safety bumpers and lights. It's my favorite of all the Beetles.

 

Tesla - the MINI killer. 100% electric.

http://www.teslamotors.com/

 

^^^ LOL
Lotus Elise - the Tesla killer. Half the price, unlimited range, easy to buy

Heck, I'm trying to sell mine for $28.5K and barely get any bites...

 

When I was shopping for mine, the only other car of the final 4 that came close was this:

 

They are sexy

 

WHAAAAAAAAAAAAA?!?!?!?!