I stop by every two weeks or so and I have seen all of the color combos mentioned above except for all Lightning Blue. It actually makes the decision harder, since the dealer is always getting in different color combos. Almost all look good. The only three colors I am not considering is the yellow, Pepper White and the basic Silver.

 

PW/PW with painted arches, window tint, black wheels/polished lip, and blacked out chrome. Now that would be hot

 

I'm adding the cooper for a nice weather ride, not getting rid of my GMC Envoy. The winters suck here and they use alot of salt on the roads!

 

I came from owning a 62 Cooper and a Grinnall Scorpion, so I was already on board with the lightweight handler thing. I loved the 62, but it was useless for distance driving and just not practical. I didn't want to sell it, but garage space said something had to go and I wasn't going to part with the Grinnall Scorpion.
As to my "friends" and their comments...one of my Ferrari owning friends (he's had several) saw my in a parking lot in it and said, "Cute car". I knew he was putting me down. I told him to put on his XL DEPENDS and I'd take him for a ride and change his tone of voice...he wouldn't do it. Another F-car owning friend (he has several at one time!) knows the score and gives me respect. He's driven them, also owns a 62, and is well aware of the backroad abilities of the little white car. I believe that your average joe and jane have no idea what the car is about, that's why I like driving a very plain looking little Mini. It's a wolf in sheep's clothing.
I love this car! I was out in west county on the backroads yesterday, having a ball.

 

 

I just sold my Evo. I guess that counts as "brawn." (?)

--Dan
Mach V
FastMINI.net

 

I've taken a lot of grief at work from the good ole boys and girls after buying my MINI to replace a BMW 328i. Buying the MINI in yellow probably didn't help. I've only had it for 10 days, but it is really enjoyable to be able to actually use some of the capability of the car every day.

No regrets here, yet.

 

OK... I know I have a 1st gen car... somewhat modded.. but I take my "girly car" spouting co-workers on a (of course safe and legal) white-knuckle lunchtime ride. When we get back, they swear they'll NEVER ride with me again - but they don't call it a girly/clown car anymore, either.

 

I don't bother letting them ride in my car.... less weight to haul around!

 

I sold my 2003 Lexus LS430. It was kind of like my fridge...it's there, you miss it when it's gone, but it has no soul.

The MINI is mucho better!

 

I let a friend drive my S today. He's a very experienced race car driver--competitive in his track Porsche 356--and owner of 2 other 356s. Daily driver is a Lexus. He had a blast! Couldn't believe the kick in the pants of the turbo, and didn't understand why all the road tests didn't really play this up. Loved the handling, too (except for the torque steer).

A future MINI driver?

 

I have my Cooper S on order and am in the process of trying to sell my built Gt Mustang. I am banking on the fun factor of the Mini making up for the all out performance of my Steeda Mustang. I am ordering the JCW Suspension and hopefully the tuning kit will be released for the auto. This will be my first automatic trans car I have ever owned. Does anyone know if and when Auto trans JCW tuning will be available?

 

I had a camaro, grand prix, mazda 6, gto, back to grand prix and into a mini...my 2 favs have been the GTO (totalled) and now the mini

 

A buddy of mine at work asked me today when I was going to buy my flag (rainbow)
He drives a BMW 7 Series.

 

We've had a Miata for 14 years so I'm accustomed to the "chick car" comments. I've always loved light, nimble cars. The MINI will actually replace our RX8, which isn't a heavyweight by any means, but the choice of RX8 or Miata is not something you want to wake up to on a snowy winter day.

 

i've actually had the opposite reaction.

And I know I got the 'female version' of this thing
(base model with auto trans) as I have to share
with my wife (she's yet to drive it though ha ha ha).

But from the ppl that know me, and know it was
the ultimate and end replacement to my worn
CRX they usually say 'perfect car for you man'.

perfect car for you ha ha.

 

We sold a Nissan 350Z for our R56. The Z was a lot of fun but a bit heavy in the turns -- especially compared to the MINI. And I can actually carry more people and stuff with the MINI than with the Z. I got some crap from my friends at first about the choice until I took them for a ride. Some of them still poke fun from time to time but they seem to respect the car now that they've seen what it can do. I can usually put an end to the jokes by mentioning gas mileage -- none of them like to talk about that.

 

I think we are all with you on this one.... I dumped my 4Runner for my current MCSa, and have no regrets at all. I do have to agree that I got some many of the "cute" comments and continue to get them. It did bugged me at first but now it slips right off...

Perception is everything....and what I have found out is lack of knowledge. It's amazing how many "car enthusiasts" know very little this little gem...

 

Not having commercials kind of hurts the perception in my opinion. There are some great commercials on youtube except the one with two guys driving and the theme song is..."I'm coming out" by Diana Ross NOT GOOD.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6o5w1OJQ4DU

 

And that, IMO, is a very good thing

I say let them by their gas guzzling, straight line, macho cars.... I'll stick with this one.

 

I went from a VW Eurovan (no muscle but big and heavy) to the MINI.

On the minus side, can't fit as much stuff or as many people in the MINI.

On the plus side, the MINI is an absolute blast to drive ..... and I can't put as much stuff or as many people in it .

A few pictures of my MINI at track and autocross events quiets the girly car chatter.

 

Regarding the "chick car" remarks--just tell them "that's right, it IS a chick car--I get all the chicks I want!"

 

I traded an 89 Audi 200 quattro in on my 03 MCS. Didn't gain much in reliability but worlds apart in handling. I really miss the AWD though. I still have a 92 S4 and a 92 Suburban 2500.

 

I agree. Until you own a MINI you don't really care about MPG. But once you see how far MINI goes per gallon, you don't want to go back to 19 mpg or even 26 mpg.

 

I'm kinda trading size for the MINI, if you can count that I am keeping the Altima for trips and hauling larger things or more/larger people. The Altima is good for that- we just are not all going to fit into the MINI for a trip. Not with three people, dogs, a bicycle, luggage- and that is if my MIL does not come along... I'm good at packing it all in, but not that good!