I am looking for a Mini to pick up as a work car, around 50k miles a year. From what little reading I have done, it sounds like going with a 2007+ model is preferred for reliability issues? I am going from a 2004 Kia Spectra that I have put over 200k miles on since I have had it and haven't had any problems with it, only a lack of power. Since I spend a lot of time in the car, I want to go up a power level from the Kia and the Mini seems to fit that bill, still offers decent gas mileage, fairly comfortable and my most important want is a tight turning radius. I do most of my driving in the city up and down city streets making lots of turns, u-turns, etc. and must have a small turning radius. Any suggestions? Is there a big difference in the feel of power from the auto to the stick? I currently have an auto.

 

The ride is a bit harsh, putting those kind of miles on every year will likely get to you. They have amazing turn radius', so city driving will work out great in a MINI. I'd suggest taking one out for a test drive to see how the bumps of the stiff suspension makes you feel.

 

Ride isn't that bad as long as you replace the RFT's and stay with 15 or 16s. I mean its not a luxury car ride but its fine for a compact/sub compact.

 

Yea, go with 16" wheels on an MCS, and 15" or 16" on an MC. Non-runflat tires tend to have a softer ride, and are less expensive. I switched very early in my 2007 MCS and carry a Slime compressor and tire plug kit.

You probably want the extra power of the S.

The longer wheelbase of the Clubman might make the ride less harsh. You would have to compare the turn radii with the Coupe.

 

Yeah try a test drive, through normal roads and see if you can bear with stiff suspension. 08 Cooper might be better than 07. Standard transmission offers better milage plus more fun. There is a Toyota Corolla XRS that has some pep, as well as Nissan Sentra SE-R. Get one with warranty and extend it as well. Repair cost are basically the same as BMW, in SoCal about $145-165 per hour.

 

We have several Kia's for company cars including a couple of Spectra's. I don't drive them every day but I do drive the Kia's from time to time. For an inexpensive and fairly reliable car, Kia's are good. My personal car is a 2007 MCS and i drive about 20,000 miles a year on it. Night and day difference when it comes to fun and performance. The Kia's are just transportation. The MCS is superfast, extreemly agile and gas mileage is as good or better than the Kia's. The handling is much tighter on the MCS and your control is soo much better. Yes, the turning radius is better on the MCS. I personally feel that the small trade off (very small) of loosing a softer ride of the Kia is more than made up by the lack of numbness and sloppy control. Plus the MSC's power is unbelievable!

 

The '07 and up is generally more reliable.

The automatic in the MINI doesn't feel like it has any less power. As far as automatic transmissions go, the Aisin in the R56 is top notch. Both the manual and automatic transmission are excellent choices--go for your personal preference. I think small cars are better with standard, but if you do a lot of sitting in traffic jams, an automatic will be less work.

The MINI is excellent for city driving. Maneuverable, good visibility, excellent fuel economy. If you have a lot of potholes in your city, the stiff ride might get to you--so take a good test drive. Like others have said, stick to the 16" or below tires and the ride is not as harsh as reviewers (likely with 17" wheels) make it out to be.

If you're looking for a vehicle just to take you from A to B, though, I'd take a look at a Kia Forte, especially if you've been happy with the Spectra. It's got a fresh design, a bit more horsepower, should be reliable, has a rock solid warranty, and is actually a nicely finished package--and proably 65-75% the price of a MINI. With the Forte I'd go with a manual, though. The four-speed automatic in the Forte takes the wind out of the engine. Truth be told, the MINI is a terrible economy car (because it isn't an economy car, at least the way they're priced in N.A.)--it's comparatively expensive, doesn't have that much space, and, statistically, is less reliable than cars like the Civic and Corolla.

...but if you're like the rest of us and see the MINI appeal (does it put a smile on your face?), or want something more than a "mode of transportation", go for it! It's a car with character that just happens to be an excellent daily driver/commute car.