I can vouch for that Quicker acceleration ... haul way more stuff. Cost much less loaded. Toyota quality. Regular gas .... what more can you want? The cost in regular gas alone is a killer!

 

Just wait for the 1 series to come out next year

 

Either get the Mini, or get a completely different type of car. An H3, maybe. Or a Rav 4. There is really no competition with the total package Mini offers. The others with reasonably-similar performance envelopes (save maybe the A3) are kid-image cars. Great cars, no question, and certainly even better technology (DSG), but kid-image. Would you pick up a client in a GTI or Civic S? Mazdaspeed 3? I certainly would in a Mini - or an A3 - but the image is totally different. The Mini makes a statement, and a good one, about the creativity and individuality of the owner that's just not made by other similarly-sized cars. Ironically, many mini owners don't care, which only makes that statement more powerful.

That said, I'm not near as enamored with the '07, maybe because I didn't see it in person. One will be shown at our winter driving school later in Feb, and I'm looking forward to seeing it in the metal.

Amazed Chows hasn't chimed in on this... especially with C4 egging on...

 

Such an informative thread! Thanks, all.

Yesterday I saw a wagon that I thought, "I wouldn't mind having that!" Rare for me think that of any car. Turned out to be an Audi A3. I've been so out of touch I did not know it was available in the US and that it comes in a wagon and that it's such a stylish package (although more sleek than MINI-nifty). I was tempted, but I don't know where the Audi dealer is and I hardly drive my MINI as it is.

Also, today, driving home from a meeting at the airport I kept getting buzzed by a Mazda 3 sedan which, I believed, would not happen to the driver of a MINI. Such aggression, thought I, and why? I believed anti-social highway behavior is usually exhibited by ego-driven air scoop Subarus or wide rim Mustangs. So perhaps that was a higher powered Mazda 3 or the driver was wishing to make it seem so.

I appreciate reading NAMmer opinions and learning what's accessorizing our roads these days.

 

$.20 per gallon difference. 12 gallons about every two weeks (assuming the same gas mileage).....

$2.40 every two weeks. $4.80 per month. Or, one starbucks latte per month cheaper using regular vs. premium gas.

 

well, i looked at the H3 but it was just too small. So then i looked at the H2...still felt the same. So then i looked a an actual Hummer. Just didnt quite cut it. I almost picked up a Hummer limo-bus, you know cause i've got a kid i have to haul around, and he has a soccer ball so i've got to carry that.

 

Quicker acceleration?

 

Yeah, the new Rav4 has 268 hp I believe.

 

Before I test drove the MINI I looked at the VW EOS hardtop convert. Iy performed real nice,but the styling is too plain ... Then I drove the MCSca I just love the drive... then what really sold me is the 3 years maintenance free program... If the VW EOS had the same plan I think I would be owning a EOS now...

 

Yeah, the new Rav4 is quite a vehicle if that's what you want or need... it's a Really Nice Car. Admittedly, a Really REALLY Nice Car, with all the Really nice attributes of a Really Nice car, an Outstandingly Nice car, perhaps, but Nice. Only a little naughty in that it has scads of horsepower, but even that is done nicely. Consumer Reports likes it. It comes in Beige. OK, its a Really Nice beige, a Champagne Metallic beige, even, and it's Really Nice, but it's Beige. The character is all on the inside - which is also nice... but...

Nobody waves at Rav4's.

I actually really do, seriously, like it, it hits all the targets, and I've recommended it to my folks when they replace their Camry (they need to be able to tow their Day Sailer). If we had to have ony one vehicle available to us the Rav4'd be very high on the list, along with the Subaru GT Wagon (which is a skosh more rowdy), the A3, the GLI, maybe... but all those are not bulldoggish enough. Maybe the STI version of the Forester... or if I lowered a Rav4...

Hmmm...

 

Ask for your MA's 2007 training guide book.. It actually lists all the competition and the pro's and cons of each :P

Its quite nifty =]

 

I haul around a kid, too. In the MINI.

I NEVER, ever try to convince people to buy a MINI. And the reason is because I truly believe that people should buy a MINI when there is no other car that they fall in love with.

My husband tried to get me to look at other cars and drive other cars, and I did it just to appease him. But I knew from the get-go that a MINI was the only car that I wanted.

If you love the MINI, get a MINI. If it's just a car that's "in the running", get the Audi. My $0.02

 

Volvo C30 pricing is announced: http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dl...4004/1528/FREE

It is in direct competition to the Cooper S at these prices.