My daughter is in the process of buying a Nissan Juke, she looked at the Countryman first and her build would have cost around $36,000. She drives a 2006 R52 now and like me loves MINIs. We test drove the Juke last night, and you can tell it is not a MINI but surprisingly I think it might be the right car for her. At $26,000 the AWD, (3 settings, 2WD, AWD-vectoring, and AWD) -- back-up camera, 186 hp turbo with 3 settings - Normal, Boost and Eco. upgraded speakers, navigation, ipod integration, steering wheel controls, Climate control, 17 inch wheels. I know a lot of people think it is ugly, but like a MINI it kinda grows on you, I must point out, she did not take the best of care of her R52 and it is a CVT with 77,000 miles so I think it is important she finds a new vehicle. The Juke is also a CVT but, they've been making them for quite awhile and have a lot of the Nissan brand using them. Just need a little reassurance.

 

My sister bought a Juke probably about a year ago and loves it. She hasn't had any problems with it as of yet. I tired really hard to get her to try the countryman, but the price is what made her not even go look at one

Most of the Juke has been tested on other parts of Nissan's line up like the AWD system, i believe the motor, and cvt. They have only had one recall on it, but it wasn't anything major.

I personally think it's cramped in the back seats, but i'm usually not in the car that long for it to be too much of a problem.

My sister isn't mechanically inclined at all and once she gets out of her warranty it will probably be up to my father and I (her boyfriend isn't too bright with a wrench) to do the maintenance on it. I haven't looked under the hood yet so i couldn't tell you off hand how hard it would be to work on.

But she hasn't had any complaints so far (and believe me she would say something if there was something she didn't like )

 

We cross shopped and test drove a Juke, I can get over the looks of it...it's different. We kept building a countryman and with minimal options on the FWD S model we were at $31-31k.

We settled on a Mazda CX-5. Slightly lower power, decent MPG, still fun to drive and looks great. Tons of options available but not entirely necessary. We got a Touring (model model) with no packages. Added factory nav for $500 as it just plugs into a change cubby and the owner programs it. We have 6k miles on it as of now and still enjoy it. Plus it has more room inside for all passenger and stuff than either the Juke or R60 and still returns excellent MPG (saddly, better than my R56). Just a thought, that's all. Plus it does come in AWD if you need it and decent reliability of not having a turbo or CVT.

 

I always find it interesting that people come to the MINI forum to get reassurance that they should NOT get a MINI.

But I say, buy whatever makes you happy. Don't concern yourself with what others may think or say.

 

Juke is a very cool looking and very dependable machine. As a daily driver it would be my first choice. I just bought a KIA Soul for a beach car and the thing is bulletproof, and it's the very bottom model. The warranty is the best also. The Mini is not to special anymore, there are several on the road now and more everyday. My $.02 worth.

 

I had a Nissan Altima with the CVT and it functioned well. Just have to get used to it.

 

These are interesting discussions, as someone just said, asking MINI folk to help with rationale on other vehicle choices.

I don't compare MINIs to other vehicles, usually, telling folks that if you really want a MINI, for it's style / uniqueness / iconic value / verve / whatever, nothing else will do anyhow. But yes, a $10k delta in pricing will make one ponder, for sure :-).

If that isn't the point...you just need vehicle this size / this capable, then yes, the world does open up a bit.

The Juke is certainly unique, I'm partial to it in a mini-Murano sort of way, it's the clear-lens fender toppers that are most off-putting for me. Nissan CVTs are well-tested by now, shouldn't be a concern.

I'd cross-shop the CX-5 as well, a new, very-capable CUV that's getting good reviews. And if it's this class of vehicle desired, you may as well sample a CR-V and RAV4, just to rule them out if you haven't already.

 

Sorry but I drove both and I'd still pick the Countryman ALL4...it is an amazing ride for MINI's first SUV. Just had a loaner the other day and I'd love to own one if I had a family right now. But each to their own, good luck on your search!

 

A close friends daughter recently bought a 2012 Juke as her first new car now that she is out of college and working for a living. She loves it! Unique styling and interior fit and finish. I've riden in the back without difficulty, but a little hard to get in and out of back there at 6'2" (not an issue with the Countryman back seats). She likes the high seat position and functional hatchback (not unique to the Juke though). Price is a huge factor when $10K is the difference.

I wouldn't hesitate to put her in a Juke if she likes the styling and way it drives. I hear my friends daughter is getting great gas mileage. Should be a very low maintainence realiable car (a big issue for most women I know).

Now if they would just be the same... (lol - Sorry ladies)

I say good choice.

 

I'd also have her at least look at a Kia.

My wife bought a turbo AWD Sportage, loaded with leather, sat nav, Sirius, heated and cooled seats for $28.5K... Just amazing value and a 10 year, 100K mile warranty...

 

If she doesn't mind the styling or the CVT the Juke is probably a fine choice... We briefly had a Rogue with a Nissan CVT and I hated driving the thing. Trying to make it go felt like an old car with a slipping clutch. Not sure what Nissan's hang up is with those things.

Unless they've changed something the transmission should carry it's own 120,000 mile warranty (they added that due to people being uneasy about buying them).

Personally I'd take the Countryman over the Juke just based on the styling (ugliest thing since the Aztek, IMO) and the transmission, but since it doesn't have to be a MINI I'd probably explore other options as well.

 

I would recommend testing a Kia Soul I had one for a week as a rental while my MINI was in the shop and was very impressed with it

 

Juke? Every time I see one I can't believe that a car company would make such an ugly car and I can't believe that people would drive one.

 

+2 on the KIA Soul.

The Koreans are about to take over the auto world (they already have the fastest internet).

When they bring the Track'ster out even MINI who hasn't even mastered the cup holder or a back up camera will feel the pain more directly.

 

1. You can get a Juke with a manual.
2. Nissan doesn't have roadside assistance as part of their warranty.

 

I think the Juke and the CM are both ugly. I think the Kia Soul looks pretty sharp... if I needed something with more space, it would be a contender.

 

Thanks, for the replies, that Kia Soul looks nice, I might have to help her with a test drive.

 

Seriously, if she really is looking at a Countryman, then pass on the Soul and look at the Sportage. 270 awd Hp fun for $29K loaded? Can't beat that with a stick.

 

I absolutely LOVE the LOOK of the Sportage - definitely has 'tude, especially in all white with all the black trim bits - but alas, it's very BIG and only 22mpg city - when compared to the Soul it doesn't quite make it - particularly if garage space is at a premium.

In my perfect world I'd shrink it to Soul or Countryman size, drop in a turbo and get the MPG up to around 29 city like the Veloster and voila - we have a winner!

 

I compared the Juke and Countryman and I purchased the Countryman because of interior styling.

I have a Nissan product, Infiniti FX, with 145,000 miles on it and it is still going strong. They make good products. I just wanted better fuel economy in a unique looking vehicle.

 

OP, have you posted this question to a Juke forum? I'm pretty surprised at how open minded the responses here have been, given how MINI owners are pretty passionate about their cars, and the brand. I'm guessing Juke owners won't be the same way. Japanese car owners tend to have a holier than thou mentality about the superiority of their vehicles. Yes, the Juke for the US market IS actually imported from Japan, BTW. Ironically, the Juke for the EU market is made in England.

 

Thanks for the info, I'll see what forums are out there, I hope they don't call it the Jukeyard

 

Nice looking Kia !

 

+3!! On the Kia Soul, Molly shares the garage with her "Little Brother", SMAUG - my Husband's 2010 Kia Soul SE#3 Shadow Dragon. SMAUG is our Dog Hauler. He's a Special Edition (Dragon Decal) and has Leather, we got the last one available in the US and I'm glad I talked my Husband into getting him over the Ford Fiesta when we were looking. So far no major issues!!

Check out my Garage, he's in there!!