Ok. This is my first thread post EVER in any forum so... er... as the recipients, dare I say "congratulations", or perhaps "I deeply apologize" (depending on your viewpoint).

I have admired the Mini for years in all it's British quirky glory and luckily in 2009 became the proud owner of a brand new MINI of my own. And these many years later since the original Mini rolled off the British line, the MINI is still true to it's original spirit and form, still quirky, still lovable, still unique (regardless of it's growing popularity), and still maintaining its pedigree of the rallying British Bulldog constantly in a state of spirited motoring readiness - from the base model straight up to the Cooper S JCW.

I therefore am a bit surprised at the number of posts about what folks "hate" about their treasures - their bundles of shear joy... nothing to hate, should only be appreciation for the continued quirks. The original Mini was about as far from perfect as we are from from understanding the chi of the Tse Tse fly and its tau to enlightenment. Even so, with all its imperfections, the original Mini was absolutely adored as is the MINI today. Car enthusiasts say you can't call yourself an "enthusiast" until you've owned a Fiat or a Mini (or MINI - for just these quirky reasons). So, congratulations, fellow enthusiasts! Enjoy your quirks. So, what I really want to know then, what do you LOVE about your MINI? What quirks do you (truly) absolutely adore about your treasure? I'd love to hear it.

Cheers!

 

1. I love love love that my MINI cost a fraction of my buddy's new Porsche 911 but is more fun to drive.

2. I love the high quality BRG paint.

3. I love the AT6 with paddles and that my wife can drive it.

4. I love that I can wash it with my 3yo and not care if it doesn't come out perfect. (Unlike my Corvette which I would obsess about.)

5. I love the steering wheel.

6. I love that I don't have to triple the speed limit to have fun in it.

 

I can't list everything....

I love how after 10 mos of owning it I still can't believe it's mine (been obsessed with these things since I was 17, 20 now).

Love how I can get 36 mpg on long freeway trips.

Love the entire car, I want to keep this thing until I'm dead. Actually just bury me in it...I have a sick obsession with this car.

 

I truly treasure the joy & happiness & the way my spirits lift with Cricket-it's just something waiting for me so we can go play. It's my personal PET!

 

The longer I own my car, the more I realize that there is nothing else like it. It is as fun to drive as sports cars costing double the price AND it can get gas mileage on the highway thats in Hybrid territory. I have gotten over 40mpg on trips back from the mountains.
I flip down the back seats and can get a full cart from Costco inside.

Since I have added some more leather to my interior, it feels much more like a luxury car inside. This is a car that I intend to keep for a long time!

 

great answer!

 

I love how it takes half the time to wash wax and detail inside and out then anyone else's car

 

Your post is great.
I too, have been a Mini lover for years. I love how easy it is to maneuver. It sees a pot hole yards ahead and is as nimble as a sprinter avoiding it.
Absolutely love how it speaks to me. We've developed quite a bond. I do double check sometimes, to make sure it's not fibbing, just to spare my feelings.
Love how easy it is to haul things, and it does it with such class. We've really surprised a few nosey neighbors and that's always such fun.
Love how after years and years of looking at the sweet little things, I finally got one. Used, yes, but every bit as beautiful and classy as some it's exquisite cousins.
Love that it originated in my home country. I love the heritage of the MINI Cooper and feel so grateful to drive it.

 

My favorite quirk? The inadvertent (or perhaps was it intentional?) "James Bondian" safety design feature I mentioned in another post reply: "ATS" - the MINIs "Anti-Tailgate System". A wondrous blast of wiper fluid from the xenon headlight washer that serves as a rather ingenious and effective tailgater deterrent; a feature worthy of praise by Q himself! Tailgating convertible sports coupes beware!

I absolutely love how with all the advertising hype employed by car manufacturers these days... The similarities in misleading unnecessary metaphorical language they use to describe their cars just as that used by vintners to describe the taste of wine (instead of "our cars are good, speedy, and relatively comfortable" or "gee whiz this wine is rather tasty with a nice slab of cow") MINIs performance is exactly as advertised. I love that my MINI is a kick in the keester to drive wherever I motor!

 

I love how it handles the bends, and how surprisingly quick it is even on the straights, for a Justa. I love how quick the Sprint Booster gets the revs up coming out of the apex!

 

Get in, pick a direction, go..... you'll find yourself smiling a lot!

I love how it "knows" what I want before I do.

I love how I can take the corner in A3 or A4 or A2 depending on how hot I want to come out of it.

I love near 30mpg for this much fun.

I love being wrapped in sub-culture and have a vast resource bas when I have questions.

I love SPORT button launches and the paddle shifters.

Too much to list...

Oh, I love the butt warmers.... so HOT!

 

Lol this infuriates me when fast lane hoggers do this to me in the Maserati. I would downshift couple time which blip the throttle and scare them off.

The stubborn one would get undertake then I step on the brakes.

 

I like the lack of rake on the windshield. It's less clostrophobic than on cars with aerodynamics in mind. It also alows for the sunroof to be positioned overhead, rather than behind, when sitting in an upright, sporting position. Speaking of sunroof, I love the perforated screen that allows fresh air, but shades the light a bit. I use it all the time. Also, in light rain I can drive with the sunroof open at speeds above 50mph, with no water entering. I used to strongly dislike sunroofs before this car, and it was NOT a plus when I bought my used Cooper. Now I'm a sunroof convert.