I think the liability issue with my dealer is just with the S model since it does not have a spare. I don't think there is an issue with no RF on the base model since it has a spare.

I just know when I got snow tires and rims the dealer indicated that he could not sell sell me non-RF tires. Other dealers may be different but I suspect most are the same.

 

FIAT...Fix It Again Tony...so an ABARTH driver evaluates a MINI through his wife ????
Sorry Dude...My wife took her MINI S through the paces HERSELF and flat out would not drive anything else. Now I think the 500 is "smart car cute"... but a serious contender for a performance car.....PLEAZZZE....

 

Are you new to cars? New to internet forums?

I can't think of any other reason this would be surprising to you.

Even on the Fiat forums you have people that would respond in the same way. I'll bet money that if I made an account on the Fiat forum saying I test drove a Fiat and then made several complaints about it you would get the same mix of positive and negative responses as you did here. It would be the same on any forum, you bring up the "rival" of said car (Evo vs WRX, Mustang vs Camaro, Import vs Domestic) and you'll get this or MUCH worse.

 

Actually this thread has made me a bit nauseated (like your wife) with the way it deviated from Fiats to run run flats. I even chuckled to myself thinking of an Abarth with run flats
But I agree with Jason - such are the ways of fan automotive forums. There will be vitriolic reactions as we are fans here with opinions. Most of us know cars, have a passion for them and have owned/ tested aplenty. With such a selection of choices it's not easy to choose one model and pay a premium for it. Many of us are waiting for our orders so we huddle here, eagerly trading opinions and ogling the pics of delivered cars. It helps pass the time. We've made our choice and the deposit is paid! We've decided to pick a car renowned for it's character, it's personality. I don't think anything else really competes against a Mini in my eyes. Very good compacts will come and go, the Fiat included but for me the Mini has an enduring soul that will bring a smile to my face for many years.
Also when I want to read a review or comparo test I grab my copy of Car and Driver or a good British mag - I don't pay much attention to forum opinions. So not a fan of this style of thread. I also won't go to a Prius forum and tell the readers I fear they need medical attention as they may not have a pulse. Although the car is an interesting car with a cool display! So I do apologize that you found us a bit defensive - at the end of the day we are just passionate car nuts with slightly different opinions Take care!

 

Love your use of the word "vitriolic". This whole posting has just gotten more and more interesting, hehe. I can't wait to see what it morphs into next .

 

Yeah, I saw this coming when the thread started, and I was surprised when it actually stayed fairly civilized for awhile.

People on car forums are not just owners, they are fans. You can make what you thought was an innocuous statement and it will be taken as a personal insult.

Next, test drive a GTI and go on a GTI forum and tell them honestly what you think...

 

Time to retire this thread?

 

This thread is funny. First off the whole nature of the thread is ridiculous, the mini didn't make your wife throw up... the mexican did. I mean "cmon man" - you know the mini didn't do it and starting this thread with that title is drama. If anything would make your wife throw up, it would be the abarth.

Not to derail this thread to the abarth but I'll add a bit of detail. I owned an abarth for 2 months last year. As a "fun" car, it is really great and VERY fun to drive and more raw feeling - having owned a ton of cars, it is one of the best cars to hoon around in, ever. I sold mine because the look just wasn't for me, and I never felt comfortable as being "my car". The car was a pain to drive normally unless you had it in sport mode, and the exhaust IMO was too loud and raw.

I've also never owned a mini cooper, but the mini's have MUCH more refinement, and personally I think they look far better and feel better inside. The mini just fits me, I really love them.

to the GUY that said abarth is a good kiddie car, thats hilarious. The average age of an abarth owner is over 45 and they're much more raw and track oriented. The mini is much more bmw like, daily driver, and refined (while still being a blast to drive). So if anything, the mini is the kiddie or girl car. Whereas the abarth is much more serious, sorry to burst your elitist bubble.

 

Well if you want to compare apples to apples, the Abarth is the top "racing" model of the Fiat 500 line, so it would compare to the GP2 Mini which is just as raw and track focused as the Abarth, if not more.

http://www.caranddriver.com/comparis...r-works-page-3 (and this is only the JCW, not the GP2).

 

Totally agree with you. I was simply addressing the guy who called it a kiddie car for some odd reason. Simply a dumb and ignorant statement. Both cars are cool, but really are for different types of people and personalities. I only wished I hadn't opted for the "cheap route" and gone for the car I really felt more aligned with (MCS)

 

The OP bought his Abarth for $19k. That's the price of a base Mini no options. I think the Cooper has as many/more HP than the Abarth. So comparing it the the MCS is apples to oranges. I'm sure it's a nice car and all but it's priced like a Cooper and evidently they can't get rid of them.

 

I disagree, appropriate comparisons don't always have to be based on price. Just because a Ferrari 458 costs much more than the Audi R8 doesn't mean they aren't directly competing against each other.

 

My one question....
When is the baby due??
Testdrives in the AM suck.....lol.

 

I am a big fan of the old Fiat 500s, and the old Mini's for that matter. I would love it if they were feasible here in the states.

My first Mini was a 2006 Cooper S Checkmate. I quickly discovered that the only person I could not get sick while riding with me was my wife. Everyone else needed a barf bag after just a few minutes of riding shotgun.

The base Fiat 500 can be had for $150 a month on lease with no down payment. Really can't beat that for a fun driving econobox. I test drove a co-workers and while impressed with the handling it felt cheap. I also test drove an Abarth, and I agree with virtually every reviewer. Abarth = Cooper S when only considering handling and engine performance. But the Cooper is better made and a more practical daily driver. It's a matter if you feel the better quality and more room is worth the additional $6k or not.

Regarding runflats, what about that slot-car feel. The freeways here are all groved to prevent slipping in the rain (partially explaining why SoCal drivers suck in the rain). Runflats on a Mini are like driving a slot-car. The tires follow the groves in the road, making things "interesting" for the driver.

I always run normal tires and cary a flat tire kit. I think I have had to use the kit once in 8 years.

 

Dongood. Love that story! I once drove a colleague to a restaurant and just drove like normal...finishing off with a handbrake slid into the car park at the lot....and when I looked over notices that she was crying. She never drove with me again!
Love Fiats in general....most Italian cars...have something.

 

I have had that slot car feel on non-RF performance tires on my Ion Redline. I think the aggressiveness of the tire edge has as much impact as being a RF.