Cargo space aside, (I'm not sure how much the countryman has compared to the fit but I can assure you that the fit has ridiculously more than a regular mini). the fit has fewer reported problems (breaks down less---a lot less), gets better gas mileage (like I mentioned, my gf has a fit and I drive it a lot and have also driven it 3000 miles cross country so I know what type of mpg it gets with my specific driving style compared to a Mini), it's much cheaper to maintain -- brakes, oil changes, etc...

I really hope my Mini ends up being as reliable as a Fit and I'm one of those who many years from now can say "I've had my Mini for 8 years and over 120K miles and have never had a single problem" but chances are better that a Fit owner would have a more trouble free experience.

As for recalls, I don't know if it's good or bad that Mini has had no recalls. All cars have problems at one point or another and the fact that Mini has never issued a recall despite commonly reported issues like timing chain tensioners, hood scoops melting from improper shielding, etc... might indicate more that they try to deny having any problems and refuse to admit problems exist rather than it indicating that they simply don't have any problems.

I know a lot of people take reliability ratings with a grain of salt but pretty much all reliability surveys and ratings have minis rated at average to below average and Fits and Hondas overall at significantly above average.

So, take all of that how you will but as a very enthusiastic Mini owner, I have no problem saying that a Fit is a more practical, more reliable, and "better" car if we define "better" in that way. That said, I'd still rather drive a Mini any day and although a few might have, I don't think most Mini owners chose their Mini, even a Clubman or Countryman, for purely utilitarian reasons.

 

Data speaks to me: truedelta.com, consumerreports.com, etc. We can all share anecdotal information, but I have yet to find any published data that says a Honda isn't more reliable than a MINI. I add that data to my own experience with the FIT, and I can pretty easily come to a conclusion that the FIT would probably be more reliable. 20 plus years of Honda ownership, with practically no reliability issues, also backs up my conclusion. As an educator, I naturally meld quantitative and qualitative data to come to my conclusions. Which may not equal anyone else's

As for more practical? Four door, larger cargo carrying space, fantastic visibility all around, flexibility in carrying cargo re the "magical seat configuration", equivalent MPG to MINI but using regular gas.

True indeed that the MINI has never had a recall! However, I wonder if some of the MINI issues should have warranted a recall. Death rattle issues caused by chain tensioner for starters? I totally agree about the stellar safety scores.

I clearly have enough faith in MINI that I have returned again to the fold. The 2011 seems to be the most sorted out year from what I've researched, and from my one month/2000 mile experience.

 

I'm sitting here trying to think if there is anything I dislike about my car and there it is, number 3. Those freakin' cup holders in the front are good for nothing but putting change and my phone in.

 

They work great, but they block *everything* on the switches, so I never use them except to hold my cell phone and change also.

 

I must be in the minority--I actually use those cup holders, and I like their death grips!

I don't really have any complaints, since I was well aware of potential issues/personality quirks before I bought my car. I have had Murphy for just over two years, and I love him!

Sometimes I wish I had an inside toggle to unlock the hatch, but that's about it.

Soft paint might be another issue, but I'm going to get the clear bra installed eventually. It's not my Cooper's fault that its paint is so sensitive!

 

I, too like the cup holders, no sloshing coffee, etc. I actually bought the MINI checkered metal water bottle and it fits perfectly in them (also matches all my checkered accessories) Inside hatch toggle=good idea

 

I hate that my wife won't ride in it with me because the seats/suspension are too uncomfortable for her.

+1 on hate for having to crane neck to see if the light's green yet

+1 hate for the water around the doors (notice this most after a carwash)

I actually like the 2x (dual stage) door opening system. It's quicker than fumbling with a lock button/switch. I do hate when others start pulling it harder when it does do anything on the first pull.

 

I wouldn't argue about the reliability of Honda, and I do agree that just because a car company hasn't had a recall, that doesn't mean one wasn't warranted (thinking Midlands transmissions...). However, the Fit looks like crap IMO. If it's as thrilling to drive as it looks, it would put me to sleep at the wheel. I see Honda in development, taking a rectangular block, slicing a bit off the nose and calling it quits.

 

Re: Craning issue. There's a cool thing you stick on top of your windshield that helps with that. Light In Sight, check it out. Folks from my mini motoring club have them and swear by them.

Re: water around doors, WASH YOUR MINI YOURSELF!!!!!

 

Thanks for the info about Light In Sight.

CALM DOWN about the washing. I do wash it myself. I would never put it through an automatic wash... I do it manually at a carwash place though.

 

Awesome, did not intend to offend!! I am just somewhat passionate/obsessive about my MINI, as are you

 

I do not like the blue tooth , although it connects every time and wonderfully, the sound quality sucks

 

The Bluetooth in my MINI is awesome. It connects up right away and I like how it is integrated with the H/K radio and interrupts what I'm listening to when I get a call.

The sound quality in mine is very good. I have a basic LG flip phone, I've heard others complain about the sound quality, I wonder if it is the phone and not the car's fault Maybe a software update for the phone would cure the sound quality problem?

Or, could the cars with poor Bluetooth sound have the standard stereo instead of the Harman/Kardon stereo?

Dave

 

My only complaint is the CVT transmission. After already replacing one, knowing that it is only a matter of time before it fails again.

 

+1

 

I hate how my door always tries to shut on my 03. I'm used to just swinging doors open and it staying but with mine it slowly starts to close up again after I swing it out. Also, I don't really hate the mini for this but I hate when people pull once and realize that it isn't opening so they pull the handle harder...

 

First gear is way too short, if the car is rolling second gear works fine.
WEIGHT! This is a good car, 1000 lbs. less it would be a great car.
There's a reason race cars are fun to drive, it's all about the bulk.

 

Haha, I've told people, "please don't try to rip my door handle off."

 

- The auto-up on the windows only works with the doors closed. WTF?
- That the hatch door pop only pops the RH door (clubman). Why can't a second press open the LH door?


Listening BMW? Simple updates to SW can fix this!

 

I hate how difficult the transmission is to work on. Have a clutch problem, and due my health, I can no longer do the work myself. Can't afford to take it to my mechanic so it sits in the garage.

Kevin

 

I hate:

1. No factory auto-up windows
2. The cup holders (front and center)
3. No arm rest (center or on the door)
4. The water that comes inside after it rains, or after spraying the windshield
5. The factory stereo
6. The seats (no side bolstering)

Except every time I see, get in, and/or drive my MINI, this is my face: I love my car. I so glad I bought it and its always a thrill to drive. I love the compliments, comments, and questions I get about the car. I've owned a Volvo S60 R, Altima SE-R, 3 Mustangs, and a Lancer and nothing compares.

 

I hate that MINI is doing so much crap like this lately:

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/11/t...mini-specials/

 

EXACTLY!!!!!

Love, love, love my MINI

 

It would appear that Mini is trying to segment their market ad nauseum.

 

I don't think you could knock anywhere near 1,000 pounds off of a MINI and still have it meet federal equipment/safety regulations. Even a Lotus Elise is right around 2,000 pounds, and they're pretty freakin' minimalist.

After 80k miles and some aftermarket corrections to the car's shortcomings from the factory, my list of complaints is pretty short:

1) I wish the seat height adjustment raised/lowered the entire seat evenly. Instead, it leaves the front edge of the seat in almost the same place and just raises/lowers the rear edge of the seat so that the angle of the seat cushion changes depending on seat height.

2) I wish the windshield glass weren't so prone to pitting/sandblasting.

3) I wish the radio wouldn't come out of "random" mode every time you looked at it cross-eyed. If you turn the radio off, shut the car off, switch from CD to radio and back or even change playlists on the iPod interface, random mode turns off.

4) I wish that my MINI could be programmed for one-press unlocking of both doors and the trunk lid. It was supposed to be an option for 2006, but three different dealers have tried to enable it with no success. I know that the dealer-programmable options were changed/added/deleted every few months, so all I can figure is that my car isn't capable of being set up that way.