Hello everyone, I am thinking of buying a Mini but I am on the fence about it, I have read a lot of bad on this Mini forum.

I am currently driving a 1989 Jeep Wrangler that I have owned since 2002 I am the 8th owner from my last Squadron. It is a 4cylinder 5 speed. It's gas mileage is horrible 18 to 18.5 MPG or 220- 230 mile per 12gal. 0 to 60 in about a week, and its not that fun to drive.

So do you think the Mini Cooper Clubman S is a good buy for me.

Thanks in advance. Have a great day.

 

I did your JEEP thing and now it burns when I pee! Yes A Clubmna would be a great buy for you and when you speak of squadron where are you in the states?

 

You know you want one. Pull the trigger. I traded a highly modified 07 Rubicon
in excellent condition for my MCSC. I bought my Mini knowing there might be an issue here and there. I'll work everything out as I go along. It's been a month and I want to buy a 2nd Mini. My only complaint at this time is the distance of the service agencies.
The Clubman seems to be the most practical. Drive a Mini for a while and you will not want to get out of it and will keep finding a reason to go somewhere.
Don't rush...Think it over. You might be able to get a good deal this time of year.

 

Just posted this in the thread about the MINI D... My buddy just bought a Golf TDI and saves his car payment every month in gas. His mileage was similar to yours... I traded a truck in a while ago and saved the car payment in gas so if you drive a little, its not as expensive as you think...

Plus, 0-60 in a week should be criminal

 

By the nature of the forum you will see lots of problems trying to be solved, probably the worst place to look if you want peace of mind.
By contrast we have an 02 Honda Odyssey with 170,000 miles with only normal maint, but if you check ODYCLUB.com you would never buy an 02 Odyssey. Way to may problems identified by the owners there.

MINI's are not as simple as a Toyota or Honda but much more fun. You just have to decide to you want an appliance or something to enjoy.

 

Most of the issues you read about on NAM are the exception and not the rule. According to this article (http://www.carpages.co.uk/mini/mini-sales-04-04-07.asp), annual production for the MINI has increased from 100,000 to over 200,000 units. That's a minimum of 800,000 MINIs worldwide. This forum post (https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...in-2009-a.html) indicates an import of over 45,000 MINIs last year and 54,000 in 2008 to the U.S. If memory serves, the import figures started out at around 20,000 in 2002.

One thing that MINI owners have to keep in mind is it's a sports car. You are bound to have issues that need repairing, just not to the level of a Porsche or Ferrari.

My philosophy is owning a MINI is an experience. You won't be disappointed. My MINI experiences far outweigh any repairs I've had to make.

 

Agreed.

 

The Squadron I was talking about is HSL-37 at MCBH Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.
I am not on the mainland. Out of the Active duty Navy. I live in the great state of Indiana

 

Cool, Hawaii. That always sounds like a good duty station.

 

Just got a Clubbie for the wife. She loves it. I kinda like it too, just not quite as much as my own.

 

Minis can and do have some pesky problems from time to time, which are easily outweighed by the sheer fun of driving one... Be forewarned, Minis can be highly addictive...

 

Hey Airframer, I think some of us had similar concerns too. My experience with early British cars left a lot of oil on the ground, but the Germans have fixed those types of problems. Matter in fact, as you can see from my signature, I have one of the very first '02 MCS to land on our shores. Even avid MINIacs will recoil in horror when I tell them I have one of the first US spec cars. There are so many rumors around the 02 it has become mythic. The truth of it --my 02 kicks @ss. I have met many 02 owners like myself that have had little problem with the car. But be warned, there are lemons and junkers out there. If you buy a new MINI you don't really have to worry about it being one of those "lemons" that get a lot of forum time. The 3-year warranty should work out any problems. But if you buy a used one, do plenty of homework and preferably take it to a MINI dealer and have it gone through completely before purchasing it. Hi-performance (S & JCW) MINI's need TLC just like any sports car regardless of manufacturer, if you neglect maintenance on these cars you will end up with a junker pretty quick.

 

Welcome to the forum, news of MINI problems are grossly exagerated.

 

Are there any factory or dealer items that I should get or stay away from. I was thinking about a Clubman S in BRG with the sport package and the sport suspension Kinda up in the air if the sun/moon roof is worth the price. What do you guys think about that.

 

I did the Wrangler thing. Had a 2004 Sport, now I have a 2005 Grand Cherokee Limited with a 5.7 Hemi pissing 10-12 mpg of premium and I can't get rid of it. I feel your pain !!!

Just to give you an idea, I sold my Porsche to get my MINI and never looked back. The forum complaints are the smallest percentage of all the MINIs in service. You mostly hear complaints on forums and people asking for help. Overall the vast majority of MINIs are trouble free. Just be reasonable with it and maintain it as you should and you will be rewarded with a fun and carefree automobile. Definitely buy a MINI. You won't be disappointed. Oh, by the way, listen to the Beatles when you driver 'er.

 

I think the Sport Pack is a great choice. Consider the HK. And a Cold Weather if you will need heated seats.