You folks play dirty pool! A poor guy like me is trying to car shop, and surfing the websites of bmws, mazda 3s, mitsu lancers, and minis to find the "dirt" and honest opinions of real owners. But you all are so enthusiastic that I think you got me infatuated. Yeah, that's the correct word because I'm not "sold" yet, but hey, seeing your enthusiasm for the car made me want to post up and tell you congratulations for finding a car that you enjoy so much. I've always loved Euro cars and the MINI. I have to think about the size, but I'm definitely catching the groove. They're great and a MINI never gets by me unnoticed. My mother has a gold one with black roof and mirrors... I think I'll ask if I can borrow it for a week (my dad spoils her with an X3 for the winter). But I'm scared I won't want to give it back!

Anyway, enjoy. You seem like the coolest crowd out of the bunch of pocket-rockets. I liked all the Pixar caricatures.

Wishing you well from a lurker,
John

 

It's too late for you now. You have been assimilated.

 

Welcome to NAM.

Unless you're sold, seriously consider build quality reliability issues. To me the MINI has become much more than just a car, it's the only reason I still drive one.

There's plenty of problem free MINIs and there's plenty of problematic MINIs. Also MPG has never really met up with EPA rating for me, add in weekly dealer visits under warranty for 25k miles, labor alone putting MINI out more than the cost of the car. Keeping it after the warranty mark was a tough decision. Interestingly since then, far fewer issues.

 

Don't go for a test drive by yourself because someone has to drive your other car home.