Am already a British car nut, I currently have three MGs and a Jaguar. I like that the new MINIs are made in the same factory as the classic Minis were. I also like the unique styling.

After the first time I saw a MINI Clubman, I knew that I wanted one. I started looking at used ones, but they hold their value so well that I didn't see an advantage to buying new. My MINI is the first brand new car I've bought. I didn't consider any other cars.

I built a car on line and sent the specs to my local MINI dealer They had one in stock that had everything I wanted plus more, because of various sales incentives I got it for less than the one I designed. I drove it home that day.

Dave

 

Honestly since seeing Italian Job I have always wanted one. A white one actually. Had a 08 Mazdaspeed 3 at the time and was looking at trading it in. Looked around and every single one I was about to go look at got sold out from under me. Got a Subaru instead and wasnt really feeling it. Saw a red MCS at a local dealership so I went and test drove it. Loved it.. and got it.

 

Initially, in late 2003? A test drive. It was love at first site. Sold my second Miata (a lovely BRG 2001 Special Edition) after only two years of ownership.

This year? The 165k miles (and smiles) I put on that 2004 R53 and the availability of the new GP and Coupe models this year brought me back again. My JCW Coupe gets finished any day now. Can't wait.

Oh yeah, the fact that my wife bought a Clubman a few years ago also influenced my decision this year.

Sent from my iPad using NAMotoring

 

I've been working my way thru all the Euro "city cars." I've had a Smart Fortwo, a Fiat 500, and now the Mini Cooper S.

 

This time around I really wanted a small car that was fun to drive. I wanted a car that I would love as much as the MGBGT that I drove as a teen and in my early 20's. I really loved the cornering abilities of the MG, the styling, and the toggle dash, as well as its small size. In my new car I was hoping for that character, size, and handling.

The cars I test drove were the Volkswagon GTI and Bug, MINI S and Base hatchback and Clubby, Mazda 2, 3, and Miata, Scion FRS, Fiat 500 sport and Abarth. I enjoyed driving all of them except for the Bug. I wasn't comfortable in it for some reason. I also felt that the Miata didn't really feel right in that the steering wheel seemed too close and the cab seemed too confining. The Fiat 500 was a bit too sluggish and the Abarth styling was too flamboyant. I didn't like its large logos, loud engine or the racer seats. The headrests really leaned forwards and were uncomfortable. I was interested in the new 500 turbo that was just released but felt that the Mini would be a better made car. The FRS was too aggressive looking for me although it was fun to drive. I didn't feel comfortable with a car that looked more like a race car than a daily driver.

In the end I decided to pick the car that I enjoyed driving the most- a MCS hatchback. The car that was responsive, shifted smoothly, and was a thrill to drive when taking a fast corner or feeling that extra pulse of power when the turbo kicks in. The car that I still keep finding excuses to drive because it is so much fun. At first I had planned on a Clubman, but when I drove a hatchback and a clubman back to back, I liked the sprite-like response of the hatchback better and it was also more affordable. My back seat passengers are usually medium sized dogs and they really don't need the extra legroom that the Clubman provides. if I had children it would have been the clubman for sure.

 

It was the styling and size that first grabbed my attention in '02-'03. MINIs were totally different than anything else in the US market, and really stood out.

Fast forward to '10 when I was in a position to get a new-to-me car, and due to a life change no longer needed a bullet-proof, indestructible sedan for kids & family roadtrips. I test drove the Justa's & S's in the '10 model year, and my lust was reaffirmed. Loved the tangibles & intangibles - the whole of the MINI motoring experience. The handling, the undeniable fun of putting a small car through its paces & making it sing, the character of the MINI, it all grabbed me.

I was considering ordering a new spec car but knew I'd have to leave out some things I wanted. Then I started to study up on the older MINI's and learned the differences between first & second gen cars. I searched AutoTrader and found a stacked, low-miles '06 near me. Took one test drive & put down a deposit, pending PPI.

I love this car like no other, and really truly intend to keep it forever. I could add a mulch-hauling, lumber-toting beater pickup for Home Depot runs, but my R53 will always have a spot in my garage and heart ahead of all others.

 

"Fun" was also quite high on the list for me, and "hatchback" was a nice-to-have and not a must-have. "Manual transmission with a clutch pedal" was an absolute must. The fun factor was what dropped the Fit, the Yaris, the CR-Z, and several other cars from contention.

I drove a Boxster Spyder (special edition with a weird top) but it was not exactly fuel-efficient and the price was astronomical. And the only ones available didn't have a clutch pedal, so that was another thing that ruled them out. I also drove the Fiat 500, but found it inferior to the MINI. Less power, more thrashy, lower-rent interior, worse handling--and the fuel economy was only marginally higher.

Fun to drive and fuel-efficient are why I got a base Cooper with the Sports Suspension.

Dude, Btwyx, we need to meet up for lunch some time! You sound like my sort of person!!