Well, can't imagine life without MINI. My next choices would be BMW M3 (any year), Mazda Speed3 or any year WRX STi. That's it.

 

[quote=Btwyx;2759795]The MINI has changed my outlook on cars a bit. If the MINI has never existed, I'd be driving something small and practical. The Honda Fit looks like a good candidate. After having MINIs, there's nothing that really does appeal which isn't a MINI, so I don't really know.

Our criteria for a car was "small, fuel efficient, hatchback", now I have to add "as fun to drive as a MINI", and I can't think of anything which isn't a MINI.[/quote]

I've very similar thoughts. I might have gone with a Volvo C30; possibly a Saab 9-3.

 

If Minis didn't exist I'd probably still be driving Mustang GT convertibles. I'd like a roadster but the Z4 and Boxster S are a little too pricey for me, and I think Miatas are fugly.

If money were no object I'd have a Porsche roadster and a CTS-V. And a JCW convertible.

 

Less would be much better. Post-E30 M3s are pig heavy.

 

If I had never driven a MINI... I'd be driving a Civic si or a Impreza WRX.

In my wildest dreams... anything porsche. Call me crazy, but I actually like the cayenne and if it didn't get such crappy mileage... I'd own one in a heartbeat.

 

And I thought I was the only one that like the looks of them. Course, that 6 gallons per mile is a little hard to take

 

If I couldn't own a MINI and considering budgets and other boring mundane and practical considerations? A Honda Civic. Now if I could, I would go back to the first car I bought with my own money... a 1984 Honda CRX. I had a lot of fun times with that car.

 

No my friend! You are most definitely not alone!

I told my hubby that if he were ever going to make me drive an SUV... I'd love a cayenne and they are actually fairly reasonably priced, but yeah... that mpg... I think that soaks the "reasonable" right out of the price.

 

Thumper MCS and i are both in the same camp of a HPF M3 i think.

 

Probably would have bought a new GTI instead. If I wasnt in a cold area, Id have a new Mustang GT

 

My number one choice when I was originally looking for a a new car was Boxster. So probably like a 99-03 model within the same price range. ($20k give or take a few.) But until about a year ago or even a little more I basically out of nowhere wanted a MCS. I really have no idea other than that my friends drive similar cars. (GTI's) Since then I wasnt going to settle for ANYTHING else. Now I have my MINI. But if it didnt happen I would probably be in a Boxster right now.

 

+1 on the VW GTI, but VW dealers told me it was not possible to factory-order exactly what I wanted, they had to see what "allotment" was coming in, and possibly swap with other dealers, at additional cost.

Basically, VW had their heads up their butts when it came to to giving customers what they wanted. When I saw the MINIUSA order site, I knew I had found a company that understood how to handle custom orders. ...now if MINI could only figure out how to make a sunroof that opens and windows that close...

 

Porsche without a doubt. Ask me again and Ill tell you the same..

 

If there was no Mini Cooper S, and I had the same budget, then it would be between the Mazdaspeed 3, WRX or GTI. My second choice was the GTI, but ask me now and I'd definitely get the Subie.

 

I had a '05 M3 before my JCW. It is a superior car in just about every way, but costs $25K more. I would have kept it but wanted to lower my cost of ownership (M3 was going out of warranty and maintenance this year). The JCW is a great car, but I really miss the beast.

I don't know what I'll get after my JCW. I think it'll have to be another M3.

 

BMW 3-Series coupe or a Z3 Coupe/M-Couple.