When you were first looking at the MINI, what other cars did you consider? (If any.)

I was pretty sure I wanted a MINI, but my wife insisted we do due dilligence and check out the competition. Our criteria for a car were:

1. Small
2. Fuel Efficient
3. Hatchback

(We had to settle for 2 out of 3 with the R50.) In the US cars which fit that are pretty rare, they were even rarer in 2004 when we were first looking. This was always somewhat of a sore point, where i come from there many cars which fit that. Here we got the choice of:

1. MINI
2. Toyota Prius (surprisingly nice, weird controls)
3. Honda Civic Si (nice, didn't like the garish red interior)
4. Toyota Celica (nice, wife didn't like the image.)

5. Acrua RSX (blah!)
6. Scion Xa (uncomfortable)
7. Toyota Matrix (Horrible, drove like a truck.)

A lot of that list I wouldn't really call small either, but like I said, they're rare in the US. Obviously we got the MINI have been happy ever since.

 

I had finally gone without a car for the last year [having had about 200, but decided to try no car for a time]. But in March 2008 a University asked me to teach, so I needed to start looking for a car to commute for teaching during the summer 2008 and fall semester [80 miles round trip.]

I mostly wanted one that would get great gas mileage since fuel prices were going way up. And I was predicting to others that in a year [June 2009] we would be up to $8 a gallon.]

I was a member of City Car Share [a local hourly car rental service] so I was able to test drive most cars I was considering.

Long list included [meaning I simply considered them, looked on the Net for reviews and pricing, but no further]:

Jetta
Corolla
Prius
MINI
Sentra
smart fortwo

When it came down to tire kicking and actually shopping, short list:

Prius
MINI

Everyone I knew said the MINI was cool, the Prius was nerdy. Many said "Get the MINI," no one said "Buy a Prius."

How serious was I about the Prius? I joined a Prius forum, similar to NAM's format. Did a lot of research too.

However, I was talking to a girl in L. A. who hangs out with cool people [and I mean really cool, the famous, pro athletes, actors, etc.]. I told her I was looking at the Prius, she responded "Oh, I know someone who has one of those." To me that was like saying to a black person "Some of my best friends are black."

Then she went on to talk about something else instead of talking about the car. In contrast, after I got the MINI she asked all about it, said to send her pics and wants a ride in it when she travels up here.]

And AFTER I got the beastette, I was chatting the MINI up with another girl in L. A., who is a makeup artist for MAC. I told her I needed it for the MPG. I did NOT mention I was considering the Prius. She responded "Oh, I want the Clubman, next time Jack [her boyfriend] sells a script I'm getting one. Thank God you did not get a Prius, those are so drab." [I was thinking, thank God I did not mention I was thinking about the Prius.]

So although I really liked both the MINI and the Prius, friends' comments pushed me to favor the MINI. I dunno about anyone else, but I prefer that people compliment my car and think I am cool rather than behind my back thinking "What a dweeb Michael is, getting that Prius. He is about exciting as a phone dial tone."

In the end I am glad I got the MINI. One of the best car purchases I have ever made. I don't really think about getting 10 more miles to the gallon in the Prius since I don't drive that much and the MINI is a fun car.

Besides, I'm willing to pay for the pleasure I get from the MINI. So much pleasure that after I drive my MINI I feel like setting the seat back as far as it will go and having a cigarette [and I don't even smoke.] Guess to the vice squad cops the MINI is a pavement princess and I'm just another cash paying John. I don't care, I can handle the scandal.

 

We looked at the Prius (hard to do since they were selling so fast). I didn't like the controls and the seat felt way too high (with no height adjustment).

We talked about (but didn't look at) Smart, Honda Fit, and VW Jetta.

If my MINI ever gets here, I'll let you know how I like it.

 

When I first started looking at cars I really wanted a subaru wrx, so I went to the subaru dealership and first test drove the impreza, which was way to slow-it felt like a honda, it just had no acceleration. I went WOT in 5th gear on the highway and the thing didnt move. Then test drove the wrx which just didnt feel as smooth with the power as I thought it would, I felt it was hard to accelerate in that car without launching the car forward. Then went over to the BMW dealership for fun, and would'nt you know they had a beautiful Dark Silver Mini Cooper S. Test drove it just for fun and knew that it was the car for me. Bought it the same day and loving it ever since! My experience was sort of like the 3 bears impreza-too slow, wrx-too fast, mini-just right!

 

I didn't look at any other car. Usually when I buy a new car I have in mind what I want and buy it. Just in the last few years I started test driving them before hand. When I was younger I would just go to dealership and order it without ever driving it. Generally if I really like the vehicle I will keep it a long time. This may also be why I have never owned the same brand twice. One vehicle I kept for 17 years.

 

Wow, it's been a long time since I've posted anything on NAM- but I couldn't resist with this thread. It's like reliving the buying experience all over again. I can smell that new car smell...

I had a hard time with this decision b/c my husband drives a Saab and LOVES it. He also wanted me to look at a Volvo, but I put my foot down on that one. So here's my weird list:

1) VW Rabbit. Previous car was a Jetta- which was a very good car for me. It made sense to check out another VW. Very familiar feeling in the test drive- with the addition of extra zip.
2) VW Jetta- but I wanted a manual! The model I wanted did not come in manual- unless I waited until March. Not worth the wait.
3) Saab 9-3- test drove a convertible Aero, which was so cool. Probably would have been more of a contender if it weren't December.
4) Subaru WRX- Husband was convinced the MINI was too small. I fell in love at the test drive, though, and was hoping the WRX would be a larger alternative. It's no MINI.
5) BMW 1-series- another car I would have needed to wait for March for. My first car was a BMW 2002 so there was the nostalgia factor. Now that they're out and I've seen them driving around- it would not have been worth the wait. It's all about the MINI!!!

 

Used to own a VW GTI VR6....this came very very close before I purchased the mini. VW R32

 

Mine was the STi. I just couldn't justify the gas mileage. I was very close to buying it, before a friend asked about the Mini. So, now I'm waiting for my MCS.

 

I wanted the MINI and didn't feel the need to test drive anything else, but my husband convinced me to test drive some other cars before making my final decision. I test drove the VW Beetle, BMW 1 series and Altima Coupe.

The MINI won over my heart and I didn't consider any of the others but appeased my husband.

 

I looked at a couple of cars but I was honestly wanted a Clubman. The vehicles on my short list were:

1. Audi A3. It had both the looks and quality that I was looking for but it lacked something.
2. Volvo C30. It was too expensive (when you add the much needed T5 package).
3. Volvo V50. Same as the C30.
4. VW Scirroco. VW decided to not build and bring the vehicle to the states so it had no choice.

 

It was either a MINI or nothing at all.

 

Audi was on my mind for a fleeting moment, but I had three of them in the past so I was a little tired of the brand. Plus a nice one would have been above my budget [since I was paying cash with no car payments.]

Audi is a nice product though. Have always loved the Audi [and the VW brand, e.g., Jetta.]

 

Since the huge spike in gas prices I had to get out of my modified Mustang GT.

I looked at the:
Civic Hybrid-great gas mileage
Mazda 3-Very good gas mileage

But bought my MCSa=Fun and very good gas mileage

 

One of the posts reminded me we also test drove a VW Golf and looked at the New Beetle. The Golf was very practical, but boring.

Also none of those, except the MINI (and maybe the Xa) are "small" by my definition.

 

Other Cars???? I saw the mini, test drove a MINI, GOT A MINI!!!

 

The Scion xD: looks OK, OK gasmileage.
The Scion xD HOt lava Special Edition: Looked better then OK, same OK gas mileage

Scion xB first gen and second gen: Looked different, not good enough gas mileage.

Ordered a Scion xD Hot Lava, experienced buyers remorse and canceled it and ordered a MIni. Now I am waiting on the Mini to come... way too long of a wait!

 

Last week when I was walking into Mel's Diner with a friend, I parked on the curb. When I looked back I saw a black Prius.

When I was considering the Prius I had said that I wanted to get one in black.

So I snapped this pic showing my MINI and a black Prius that I might have bought.

Just thought it was kind of surreal, to see them next to each other.

Oh, it was a real foggy afternoon and my cell phone camera lens was dirty, so the pic is not all that great.

 

Subaru WRX 2004
VolVo S40 2004
Infiniti G35 2003
Infiniti QX4 2003
Mini Cooper S 2005

i finally buy 2007 MC brand new

 

Now looking for a new car to replace my wife's 20 year old Acura. Cars considered:

1. 135 - aesthetics not as appealing as the last BMW generation, handling not crisp enough.
2. GT500 - not willing to pay $15k over list
3. Tesla - they want to hold a 50% deposit for the 16 month wait time - they might go out of business by then and we're out $50k.
4. Solstice GXP - no NAV
5. Cooper S JCW - will place order in time to get the first of the 2010s. (The Acura isn't quite used up yet).

 

For me, the Honda Fit seemed like a good alternative, with its low price (coulda bought 2 of 'em) and its spacious interior, but what I wanted most was to get back to a sports car feel. I had owned a Datsun 1600 back in the late ' 60's and many motorcycles. The MINI satisfied that niche, and it's relatively environmentally gentle too. I was leaning toward the S, but they had a perfect regular Clubman in front of me, and I grabbed it. Seeing these wait times now, I'm gad I did.
I also thought about VW, Civic and Astra (having had good Saturn experiences).

 

+1 on the Honda Fit, although I was going to wait for the new '09 model... It's still actuallly very tempting for my wife and me, because a fully loaded model with "steptronic" and Honda's excellent voice-controlled nav is $19,000. And I happen to think the redesign is killer.

It really goes to show how unique the Cooper's appeal is, that it will bring in people with such diverse options. For us, our main factors are Fun, Aesthetics, MPG's, and Total Cost of Ownership.

 

Reading MichealDF's post made me laugh a bit. I was just thinking about getting a personalized plate that says "52mpg" for my MCS. Can you imagine the puzzled looks on the face of those Prius drives I'd pass on my daily commute? Priceless!

Back on topic. I actually didn't look at anything other than the Mini. I had a Miata and then we started a family, so I figured the 2 seater had to go and the next logical choice was a Mini. I've always wanted one and still want a classic. It's the most fun you can have on your daily commute without owning a motorcycle.

 

I'd wanted an Infiniti G35 coupe (now G37) since they came out. I'd been planning on getting one when I graduated college. However, the sticker price ($43k) and gas mileage (15-20mpg was not uncommon) really had me hesitating. I was also interested in an Acura TL Type-S, 135i, Accord Coupe, and Mazdaspeed 3.

After a lot of research I rediscovered the MINI, which I originally wasn't a fan of when the New MINI was introduced. I realized that, while the G37 and others had TONS of power and really had that luxury car feel, what I really wanted was something *fun*.

After a ton of research on NAM, I found that I'd be hard pressed to find a car that's more fun. I finally test drove a MCS and was sold. However, if I wanted to order one I'd have to wait 6+ months from my dealer. They did have a few JCW slots open, though. I test drove one of those and oh man, so f**king fun!

So, although there were a few cars I was interested in, I didn't really see any as a direct competitor.

I'm really happy with my decision and am REALLY excited to take delivery of my JCW any day now!

 

At the time (and it took forever!) I considered several cars and always came back to the MINI, All I really wanted was a replacement for my 87 VW GTI with 300K on the clock; even just a 'new' one that didn't stink inside or burn oil.

The Civic Si (the minivan looking one) sure drove nice, was a great deal and is probably a better performer than the MINI in alot of ways and it has a usable back seat. But, it just didn't do it for me.

The Focus SVT (remember those?) sounded shporty and drove nice but it didn't seem like it was going to hold up for too long. And, it's hard to explain to people that you drive a "Focus SVT". All they hear is "Focus".

I also considered a used cop car. There's a place in Texas that refurbishes Crown Vics and you can even get them with the wig-wags still installed. I watched a guy merge with 'authority' one day and thought that I'd happily abuse that bogus authority.

Alas, I was single at the time and the only car that made girls squeal was the MINI. And I bought one despite the fact that it's a little too cute for me. But now that I'm married, I still really enjoy driving and washing Li'l Pepper and I think I will for a long time.

 

VW R32
Mazdaspeed 6
RX8
Nissan Sentra Spec V and Altima Spec V
BMW 330
BMW M3 E46
Toyota Corolla XRS