So, I posted on another thread:
Why so many Minis for sale?
This begs the question:
Why did you buy your Mini and is this your first and/or last?
Are you satisfied with your Mini's service department?

 

I just like little hatches. The MINI does it well and I am finally in a financial position where I can afford one. Granted I am awaiting the delivery, but it will be this week. I can't wait. I have test driven the cars since they hit these shores.

 

My MINI is the 2nd one in our family. I bought it because my husband kept putting up resistance when I would beg for the keys to his.

After he'd had his MINI for 3 months, he finally said, "No, you can't have my keys. Please go buy your own". :impatient

So, I did.

MINIs aren't just "transportation" or "cars". They are a lifestyle - friends, fun, adventures, clubs, wardrobes, terminology, and culture....and a definate statement about style.

As for my service Dept,; as with most things ~ there is some room for improvement but overall, Brecht MINI has been supportive, responsive, and accomodating.

 

I bought mine because it is a blast to drive and I love its styling. It is my second one. Although the service department was able to fix the problem my MINI had on its second visit, they did not give me a warm fuzzy feeling. In fact, they seemed to have very little knowedge of the car. The didn't even know it had voice recognition!

 

I was bored one day....

Actually, I had kind of been wanting to replace my ten year old Civic Si, but hadn't seen any cars that really got me excited about switching. After my mom bought a slightly used '02 Cooper and I drove that, I went to the dealer and started checking out MINIs. It was a car that finally got me enthusiastic about wanting one.

 

I've been a British car guy my whole driving life. I'm the original owner of my 75 MGB (first car I ever bought).

I love cars that I feel in control of, and not merely a passenger hanging onto the steering wheel.

I like to be able to get OUT of trouble, faster than trouble found me!

The Mini had what I wanted: Coupe (as oppsed to MGB roadster), nimble handling, plenty of poop under the hood, a wee bit more weatherproof and AC!

 

The wife always wanted one. Now I'm nuts for it! It's our first and probably last car before we have "extra passengers", so we decided to have some fun in our choice. Very happy for the first couple of months!

 

First one for me, but I have wanted one forever.

I like things that are unique. You cannot mistake a Mini for anything else on the road.
I wanted a coupe. That eliminates a lot of things right off the bat.
I wanted sports car like handling. Peel some more off the pile.
I wanted a car that is fun to drive. Mini stands above the rest in this regard.
I wanted to make a statement. No other car on the planet does it quite like the Mini.

The car screams, "I AM DIFFERENT AND DAMN PROUD OF IT!". It fits me.

 

In case you folks have not noticed. NFR is well represented here.

No lint grrows under our feet.

 

I bought a MINI because I like Minis....and I couldn't think of anything else that was worth spending money on (this was in the fall of '02). I still feel that way...I have gotten more enjoyment out of this little car!!!

 

Although I haven't even ordered one yet, I'm pretty sure I'll get one because, I've always liked having something interesting and different from the run-of-the-mill cars out there. That's why I brought my Saturn (actually 3 of them, I'm on my third Saturn, a 10 years old SC2). They were different. They were unique. And they were fun to drive!


So I'm planning to get a MINI because they're unique and different, not to mention fun to drive!

 

I felt safer, and more stable in the mini than in other small cars I have driven. Mine is on it's way. I'm hoping it's reliable as well.

 

What Skuzzy says.

I, too, have wanted one forever--I used to watch them race in the late 60's and early 70's and they always made me smile...

 

A) Loved the styling since it first came out.
B) After driving pick-up trucks & SUV's for the last 20 years, wanted something small & distinctive.
C) Wanted to own & drive something that had a sports car feel, but without the sticker price.
Jeff
'06 MC BRG/W
#151 in the GWRR

 

Ive wanted one since '02 and was talked out of it by my family. I like its unique styling, I love how well it handles, the torque, the sound of the turbo. I could probably keep going

 

I had a 88 Lincoln LS, which was the car from Hell. I was curious about the MINI and drove a 04MCS and was hooked. I ended up getting a 04 MC and in late 05 traded for a 06MCS. I also have a 81 Corvette and my MINI is so much more fun to drive so the Corvette sits in the garage most of the time.

 

I owned a 64 and a 67 in 1970 and for that reason alone I would never buy another classic. I know what a PITA they are to keep running great.

But when I saw they were bringing out an updated “New MINI” I had to have one. It was that easy and I’ve had it 5 years now.

 

I grew up spending weekends at Lime Rock Park in CT with my dad. I loved the GT club racing and always thought "all those mini's" racing against each other was kinda cool (I didn't know much about spec racing then). In my twenties, I got a chance to race in the "Rabbit Cup" for half a season until I destroyed the car. Since then, I've been in love with micro-coupes/hatchbacks.

When the R53 came to market I was ready to own one but decided to wait. When the R56 was introduced, I couldn't stop myself. It's the most fun I've had with a car since my Rabbit. Active word here is: FUN!

 

Why did I buy a MINI. Interesting, I guess it was time. I have always admired the classic MINI and loved the changes which came with the 2002 model year. My driving life started with some old sleds, then my first Sports Car was a Bugeye Sprite, it was a hoot and I drove it a couple of years in the late 60s.

Long story so I will cut to the chase, I needed a car to replace one of my Jeeps which was my daily driver, the new R56 caught my eye, I liked the turbo option, the new bolder look and the fact this was very near in spirit to my Bugeye. The MCSa is refined, it's British +1 , Alfa Romeo my other love in cars will not be getting anything to the States for a few years, nor do I expect them to bring in a product with the MINI's fun factor. If they brought in the AR 147 Hatch, that might compare, but I don't think that is in the plan, perhaps the Fiat 500 in 2010, which is not an AR.

By then, I may have my second MINI in the family. So far, the MCS has been a great new experience. Time will tell for sure.

 

Owned two MINIvans. Enough said.

Replacements?

2003 MCS for a 1991 Dodge Caravan

2007 Honda Fit Sport for a 2001 Honda Oyssey (maybe, since still need the van for shuttling people and stuff this summer).

I'd sell an older MINI for a new 2007 R56 MC or MCS. Except I'm attached to mine.

Some families grow and need a bigger car.

Some owners move to a new location with no dealer support.

I'm out of warranty so the dealership service (been improving) doesn't play a big factor for me. If you can find a good independent MINI friendly shop that would best.

 

Always liked the classic ones (very few around here). Then saw them testing the "new" ones near where I live before they were released in the US, and knew I had to have one.

So in late 02 I finally recieved mine (the first one in the second larges county in Ca), and then in Feb of last year my wife decided that she wanted a classic mini (2nd in our county, the other sits in pieces in an auto-body yard)

So now we have a MINI, and a mini

Nik

 

We now have 2 MINI's. My first was in late '02. Loved the way it drove and sounded. REALLY loved the gas mileage. Interestingly enough the first time I saw the new MINI I didn't think I liked it.....then it became an obsession. I guess it really grew on me. Wild hair one day and a beautiful Indy Blue was mine. Sold it when I had 2 mortgages. One I got rid of one of those burdens, I bought a " new" Mustang GT. Great power, not a great ride if you aren't on the straight and narrow. Gas mileage sucked. Most of all I really missed the handling of the MINI. Wasn't sure I'd like to R56 and new I loved the supercharger, so I bought an '06 and later had the JCW brakes, suspension and engine kit placed... what a blast. Gas hit > $3/gallon and bought my better half a Cooper. She was not satisfied with sparkling silver, so now she has a O2 blue awaiting a ship..... Also I am really debating whether or not to trade my 745Li in on a Traveler once they come in... Long story short I don't think these will be our last. Our service department has always been great to us.

 

When I was a kid one of my dad's customers had a collection of classic Minis. I loved them. There was also one parked under a tarp near my house that I would always see.

In 1999 I got my pickup truck and then the MINI concept came out. I was kicking myself. I finally got my MINI in Feb 2006. My car is an Apr. 2005 Build and the day it was put into service was my birthday!

I LOVE MY MINI!!!

 

1. Because my wife told me to
2. No

 

I bought my MINI because I spent 4 years of college driving past Prestige MINI every day (Ramapo) - and fell in love when the Cabrios came out and I saw them lined up on the lot! Couldn't afford it until I was out of grad school and had a full-time job, but the minute I could finally buy my MCC I did (just this year!). I have no need for a big car, and am completely happy with my choice.

I have not had to deal with any "issues" yet, so I can't comment on the service (and hope to not have to any time soon!)