OK so... I convinced my mom not to buy a mini.

Please don't kill me.

but she has a toyota camry. I am getting a mini. 2 minis is not good for when we travel long distance. She still owes 15k on her camry. So logically for her it made more sense to keep her car and pay it off in 2 years like planned.

me, on the other hand... ordered a new mini today!

It's umm.. let me print out what i ordered.

http://www.miniusa.com/crm/configura...70,11770,12070

 

You are certainly entitled to your opinion.... though your logic regarding problems with the MINI auto trans is not based on fact. If there had been problems identified specific to the Aisin I would not have posted but there aren't. I don't want to argue with you just wanted to set the record straight for newbies.

I got the auto because I have on-going shoulder issues and didn't want my inability to shift at times to interfere with driving my MINI. If I didn't have to worry about it I would definitely have considered a manual. Love shifting which I can still do with the steptronic when I am able and am thankful for that.
.

 

LOL I have a simalar problem tennis elbow.... had surgery on it like i said I did consider the Auto

 

ours are very much alike, but i bought the Xenons nice package and the wait begins

 

Very nice Julian on ordering your MC.

 

I really wanted the xeons, but ive never had it before so I won't miss it. Plus I couldn't justify 500 more for lights. I'll add aftermarket or something when I pay off the car.

 

It'll cost a bit more later on, so I justified rolling in the 500 into my financing. The xenons have an amazing throw distance. Don't kick yourself in the pants for not getting them, but when you get a chance, meet up with a MINI owner that has a set and see the difference. It's really awesome.

Either way, welcome to the family

 

Aftermarket xenon headlights are not legal. Period. I know lots of websites say that they are, and the guys that sell the kits say they are approved by the DOT, but they are NOT.

If you want the Xenons order them from the factory, or you run the risk of losing your wheels if a cop gets a wild hair up you know where.

 

I have the Xenons and love em! The light is a bright bluish white and the further distance is very noticeable. A client of mine was looking into putting Xenons onto his 71 chevelle, and the parts alone were $1000.! So $500 is a bargain!
Congrats on the new mini!
And i agree with you and your moms ration of thinking. I could not have a two mini car family either, my other vehicle is a 07 mazda3 5 door, and a fully restored 79 F150 4x4

 

That was my rationale of thinking. not my moms.

Are the xeons really worth the 500? I am not too sure I can afford the 500 unless I pay for cash for it...

 

If you usually drive in a well lit area or roads, then I'd say you're fine without the xenons. If you drive on interstates or anywhere that the lighting isn't that great at night, the xenons are truly lifesavers. I drive back roads a lot and more than once the xenons on my girlfriend's R50 have spotted deer a very good distance down the road rather than at the last minute.

I'll try to see if I can get a picture of the difference between low and high beams on her MINI tonight so you can see how long of a throw it gives.

 

They are safer for you as well if you run the daytime lights.

 

Hey, where do I go to make a thread specially for my new mini on order? Which forum... I can't tell. I know, I'm a newbie.

 

My 2 cents...

Consider upgrading to the sports seats for $250. I've heard it's a big difference in comfort from the standard seats. I also wanted to add that I just got Prescott, with the "Leatherette" sports seats and they look a lot nicer than the online tool makes them appear. Very comfy so far too, though I haven't had any really long drives yet.

Also, depending on where you live you might want to consider the Cold Weather package. For $500 you get heated seats, heated mirrors and washer jets, and the mirrors have a power turn-in feature for extra tight spots or anywhere you're worried about them being clipped off for sticking out too far.

My MA also suggested I get the all-season tires on the 15" Spoolers. $0 price change, and only available on the 15" Spoolers. A bit better performance for winter driving, again depending on where you live.

For me I considered the convenience package, but ultimately decided against it, as it was a lot more gadgets for a significant price jump. Instead I just got the multifunction steering wheel for the Cruise Control (a must!) and the Audio Controls. You could also get the comfort access seperate from the package if that's desirable. This car has got enough features and customization that I don't miss not having the auto wipers and dimming rear-view, etc.

 

Well, my mom is now on the side of "It only uses premium gas?" I tell her we save in the long run with re-sale value and hypermiling... LOl, anyone have any advice on showing her why premium vs regular is not that big of a deal?

 

If you were to put 10 gallons of gas in your car a week consider this:
We'll use prices of $4 for regular and $4.30 for premium. As gas prices rise, the difference between regular and premium stays about the same, but the percentage difference they become closer and closer. (Such as the difference between a million dollars and a million dollars and 30 cents...)

($4 x 10) for 52 weeks = $2080
($4.30 x 10) for 52 weeks = $2236
A difference of $156 over the course of a year.
You'd pay ~93% as much for regular as you do for premium.

Now if the price were to go up another $4(please don't), as time has shown, the difference between regular and premium will probably stay the same, so $8 for regular vs. $8.30 for premium.

($8 x 10) for 52 weeks = $4160
($8.30 x 10) for 52 weeks = $4316
For a difference of $156 over the course of a year.
You'd pay ~96.4% as much for regular as you would for premium.

Personally I fill up about ever other week, so I'm only paying about an extra $78 a year by using premium. Essentially...I should just work an extra day and with some overtime to pay off the difference and maybe treat myself to a meal with the money left over!

 

Hey guys I am SERIOUSLY having second thoughts about the xenons lights (thanks all you who suggest them). Are they REALLY worth it? I live in town/city/island area and I rarely travel backroads but I plan on it maybe once a year when I take roadtrips with my mini.

 

Again, it's up to you. i don't think you'll find anyone on here that is unsatisfied with there performance.

I have them, and If i was ever to purchace a new vehicle I would always opt for them if avail.

 

I think, for now, I won't have em. Never seen em before, so I won't miss them. I would rather use the 500 for a bigger downpayment. Woot, thats 10,500 so far, and 2-3 months to add another 2-5 thousand to thats downpayment! woot!

I know this is a stupid question... but which is the PREMIUM gas? The 2nd highest cost, or 3rd? Also, my mom wants to know what will regular do to my car (I won't use regular, I wanna take care of my mini!)

 

premium is always the most expensive 91 or better octain. dont skimp on this. very important to use it and not the cheap stuff.
and it only costs an average of 2.50 per fill up more then the cheap stuff.

 

it's not always the "most expensive" here in boston, it's 87, 91, and 93 at most places. the manual requires 91 at the very least. but i always fill it up with 93. give it a try your self. try 91, and then 93, you'll notice the difference. when i tried 91 once, from launch sometimes i feel like it would choke when the clutch is engaged, i have to give it more gas, but with 93, it's just smoother driving, i also notice the speed is increased in each gear with higher octane.

 

whoops didn't finish...

91 octane @ 3,000 RPM @ 6th gear ~ 70 MPH
93 octane @ 3,000 RPM @ 6th gear ~ 73 MPH

not a major difference, but a difference none the less...

 

sorry, didnt realize yours went as hi as 93. here in AZ its 87 89 91 I havent seen 93 yet. If they had it I would deff use it!

 

OK, so basically HIGHEST OCTANE? 91 is what is recommended though?

 

91 or 93 octane depending on where you live but MINI recommends 91 minimum,so yes.