I guess everyone has there own story. But they are all great. And one thing in common the love for mini's !

 

the mini told me to buy it, made me empty my bank account, and it took me home with me

 

Many have said it, but it was a combination of MPG requirements, and the feeling of actually driving a car.

I was in a SUV for a 80 mile round trip commute daily and the gas was getting crazy. We started looking at hybrids, but man, were they boring, and since most of my driving is highway, not as advantageous as one may think. Still, the practical side of me kept saying to get the hybrid sedan and move on, but the creative side said I deserved more, then along came the Mini.

Was looking at the hard top, but found the Cabrio, determined the kids would fit in and are safe.

Now, I get home from work and the wife is looking for reasons to take the car out for 'errands'.

Anyway, love at first drive.

 

The test drive!!

 

It all started when I had to train “the new guy” at work. I showed him my Civic and talked of it very proudly, then he mentioned “I wonder if my Mini is that nice?”… Then it began. I stared parking by it and constantly talking about Mini stuff with my new found friend. I have spent countless hour configuring “the perfect” Mini, and plenty of daydreaming to boot. On the weekend of my birthday I had a wild hair and decided to travel to the Mini dealer to have a little spin. I test drove the Cooper first, which was excellent, I could not believe the quality and effort put into these little buggers; It was a pleasantly brisk drive with a sort of refinement only found in more luxurious autos. I test drove the Cooper S, that’s when things went wrong, never before had I driven such an amazingly satisfying marvel of engineering. I then went home stewing and plotting as to how I could make this financially feasible. 2 weeks ago I was contacted by my friend from work and was asked “how would you like to buy my Mini?” I was ecstatic. I immediately traveled to test drive the car (R53) and was hooked…

I now have someone interested in buying my Civic, after 7 long excruciating days. All I have left to do is to pull the trigger and let everything fall into place.

Soon to be 2006 R53 DS/B owner!

 

My first reaction was to think they (BMW) ruined it, it's too big. Having been in several pre 67 Minis in the 1960's, I knew it was a nimble little car and very small. We as kids new all about the rally successes at Monte Carlo and so on. About five years ago, I sat in a new MINI for the first time, and I was suprised. It was totally new and modern, but something inside just said Mini and I filed the information for later. Then I started seeing MINI's parked near my house and I would walk by and look and inspect it, slowly the positive reaction from my first sitting started to take hold. By the time my present car a 13 year old T-bird started to have serious dependability issues, my wife noticed a MINI as we were driving to work and discussing our car dilemma. She liked the look and I told her it was a MINI and it gets great mpg, several weeks later we placed an order for a 2009 MINI JCW. She had one request - make it visible - it's a MY/MY. Happily waiting for a September arrival.

 

Well, when I turned 16 my mom sold my golf cart and bought my truck. It was a crappy toyota tacoma. I hated it. I lvoe her nwo for forcing me to learn stick though.

I treated it like crap for over 3 years waiting for it to die while I also saved up money to buy a new vehicle. After it WOULD NOT DIE I finally decided to sell it (after much persuasion to my mom because she said she needs a truck in case she needs to carry stuff in it) I told her we better sell it while we can and get back the 3.5k we put into it. We sold it for what we bought it.

I went and looked at the Scion xDs for the good mileage and OK looks. I decided to get the special release hot lava xD. Then I was like, screw it... so I looked at minis (always loved them, figured out of my price range).

Well, when I realized I should logically buy a used mini... I decided to buy a new mini after much debate and internal debate.

I ordered my new mini after test driving a clubman. I ordered because they look cool, good gas mileage, high resale value. And being able to have 10k to put down, possibly even 5k more since I have to wait 3 months... I can afford it.

I bought an 08 MC Chili Red/White with stripes, premium package, convience package, nav system, DSC, Xenons. If I am gonna spend some money, I might as well spend it on something I want!

What sold me on it though? Well when I looked at the hot lava scion xD, it cost the same as a basic mini cooper. Mini's got better gas mileage, looked better, and more pickup. When driving the clubman, well I was going 90 and felt like 60!!!! So, it was sold... now the wait begins!

 

I always loved minis, but when my one informed me that they were thinking about buying a mini, i really took motice to them. They are a nice breath of fresh air compared to the armies of tan and beige camrys and toyotas on the road.

Now i am totally obsessed, and still awaiting the day till i can go and order my baby... (financial dues are holding me back )

 

Always loved them, and one day when I was bringing my Landrover in for service, I saw a MC40 sitting on the used car lot. It looked mint. I went home to get my wife to test dirve it, and it was sold while I was gone. This made me want one ever more. So, I bought a new 2007 MCS.

 

I always loved small cars. In college, I used to drive a 73' Honda 600, which is about as small as you can get. I wish I still had it. I've always tended toward the small/medium car segment, and when the Mini was reintroduced to the US market, I knew someday a Mini would be in my future. The second gen MC finally sold me and I went for it.

 

What made me buy a mini? THE ITALIAN JOB

 

I was actually in the market for a jeep wrangler. I had built a BA one 5 yrs ago for rock crawling here in AZ.
A friend of mine worked at a Nissan dealership and called me on one they just accepted on a trade. It was mint too.
I went down to look at it and next to it was a 04 cooper S. I have seen them on the road now and then, but not knowing anything about them, i didnt pay much mind to them.
something about it had me looking at it more then the jeep. So I asked about it and just for fun wanted to take it for a ride. he let me try it out and I had a blast! it had all the mods already on it that I have in my signature so it really hauled a$$ too!
After i got back (with a huge smile on my face) I told him I had to have it. they had it on the lot for 90 days. Apparently everyone that drove it didnt like the "harsh" ride. But since ive owned many 4x4's, i was used to a harsh ride and found it sporty.
Anyway, $16,500 later (told ya he was my friend)
the mini is now by far the funnest car ive ever had.
And ive owned over 30 vehicles!

 

Childhood obsession for me. Ever since I was 11 I wanted one. I have way too many mini collectables and merchandise in my room. Now im 18 and I am loving it

 

Was looking for a fun car to learn stick shift in. Girlfriend suggested to take a look at MINI since she liked the design. At first sight I liked the hatchback form factor. Then sat in one and fell in love with the interior. Went home and ordered one without test driving it. Gotta give credit to miniusa.com for their online car configuration system. Once you build one and set it as your desktop wallpaper, even for 5 mins, it stays in your mind forever!

 

Test drive - that's what made me buy a New one!

 

Fuel efficiency + reputation for performance brought me to the dealer.

Test drive sent me home to configure and order.

 

You have to ask?? Grab a chair, go outside and plunk it down. Sit in it. Look at your car. If you ain't smilin' within 3 seconds, that's not a MINI you're looking at or you're posting this question on the wrong site.

 

I was looking at the Prius for mpg's just about the time they starting selling for MSRP and above and said this is crazy. Went to the Mini dealership and it only took one test drive. The wife test drove it much longer than I did! As I'm 50+ and haven't had my mid-life crisis yet this was a great excuse (as if I need an excuse) to get a Mini. My Clubman is on its cruise across the Atlantic and I don't know if I can make it until it gets here!

 

That is exactly what did it for me. I had no intentions whatsoever before the drive at the dealers. I agreed with the missus that I will have a look and simply consider a Cooper S after a drive. We had planned on checking out the Mach V Golf GTi straight afterwards on that night too.

The drive was really good. The dealer was hanging on for dear life in the rear seat and I was trying not to to show my excitement too much.

PS. Golf GTi was disappointing after seeing the Cooper S. I have not regretted it since!

 

My wife wanted me to buy a motorcycle so she could ride on the back. We settled on the four wheel version. If it rains we can put the top up.

 

My story includes me probably needing to obtain some credit and getting a loan on something for once in my life. I have bought every car I have ever owned outright. My parents graciously paid for my college so no college loan. My rents finally made me get a credit card about a year ago. I also rent my house. So if I ever decide to buy a home, I figured Id probably need to get some credit. I love cars so I decided to go shopping. I have a 2003 Cadillac CTS that's paid off so I decided why not get another vehicle. I went to a chevrolet dealer and they had a 2006 Mini Cooper S. Always liked the looks of them but had never driven one. I also like having unique vehicles that no one else has and where I live you really dont see any Mini Coopers at all. Test drove it and loved it. Now I was in the dealership nervously awaiting the results of my credit application and amazingly was approved. I ended up taking the longest possible route back to my house with my MCS.

 

Mini Lust! I've had a crush on these cars since adolescence. It's definitely high on the cute factor. Very unique cars, unlike the other lemmings on the road. Great gas mileage is a plus. All that being said it was test drive that sold the car. These are so fun to drive. After the test drive, I signed the adoption paperwork. $$$ vs. performance few cars compare.

 

In October 2002 I was looking to replace my beloved 69 Alfa GT Veloce with something as entertaining but that could endure my new 80 mile commute. Had test driven a half dozen candidates and was uninspired by any. Found a used R50 on a Honda lot and thought I'd check it out. Threw it into the first 90 degree right hander a little hot and it was all over. Here I am... 7 years, 2 MINIs, many track days and 150k miles later. My tweaked R53 JCW is getting a bit long in the tooth at 110k but still a blast. Drove an R56 JCW but it did not live up to expectations. Have my eye on the upcoming VW R20, but hoping MINI comes through.

 

Been wanting to buy a mini for years and finally did several weeks ago. Bought a 09 MCS in mellow yellow.

My MINI dachshund MADE me buy the mini so she can be enjoy the ride. She already has her nose print on the inside window. I have a personalized license plate ordered with her name on it.

MINI cooper = MINI Lucy ( my dachshund)

 

I love all of these stories!

My story is this:

In 2002, when they hit the States, I loved them. They were unique, fun, and attractive.

In January of 2005, my dad brought home his MCS, which he had ordered in October of 2004, and I started to fall in love.

Approximately two years later, I decided that I needed to really learn to drive a stick. I'd driven my uncle's crappy truck that had a stick but our Suburban and Civic were both automatics. Dad slowly taught me to drive it as I was in college and so could only come home once every other month or so and I fell even more in love with it. About a year after our lessons had begun they stopped. I was having so much fun driving his car that I nearly gave him a heart attack when I *quickly* crossed a lane of traffic, turned into a parking lot, and parked in a parking spot. I didn't start to brake until I was in the spot. For some reason, he hasn't wanted me to drive it since

January 2009: I finally received permission to begin looking at cars. My graduation present was going to be the car of my choice, within reason. I looked at the Saturn Vue Hybrid, Honda Civic Coupe, Nissan Altima Coupe, Toyota Prius, and, of course, the Mini Cooper. The Mini was my first test drive and no car could even come close to it. I created a detailed spreadsheet of all of the specs, ratings, etc. to give an objective opinion to my car search and the Mini won.

June of 2009: My precious Mini was finally here and I've loved it ever since. Every time I see my car, I smile. I had told myself that this might be my one opportunity to get the car of my dreams so why go for something boring like a Honda, and I'm thrilled that I chose the Mini.

Now we're a 2 Mini house