I am looking to replace my Trailblazer with something smaller and better on gas. I am looking at the HHR, Element SC and the Clubman S. I put 20,000 miles a year on my car so I am asking is the Mini a good comuter? I live in Ohio and we get a few good snow events each winter. I am familiar with GM quality or lack of it and I hear Honda is very reliable. I saw the Clubman at the auto show a few weeks ago and was hooked. It seems to have the utility space I need and gets great gas mileage while still being sporty. The dealer could not find anyhting close to the one I built on line so I would have to order it. My Trailblazer has the SS package so I am not looking forward to the HHR or Element option as I need some pep in my ride but cannot continue to drive a SUV that drinks premium fuel at the rate of 15 MPG. Should I look into placing an order?????

 

I LOVE my Clubman. I waited two years for it, but during that time I looked at every car out there to see if I had made the right choice. HHR, Element, CRV, Rav 4, Subaru..... I am sooo glad I didn't cancel my deposit and change my mind. The Clubman is perfect in every way. And from what everyone says they are great in snow with the right tires.
I still opt to take one of the 4WDs if we get snow, but I am not a fan of snow driving after an accident when I was 21.
I would go for the S version as my dad always taught me that more power is better and he was right.

I will never go back to any other car after driving a MINI. I only use the truck for parking lot protection as I am VERY protective of my MINI.
Let us know what you decide. Take one for a test drive and I bet your decision will be easy.

 

I drove my MINI Coopers everyday 100 miles a day during the school year, for years and neither rain, nor sleet nor snow...stopped me. I put dedicated snow tires on mine. I also commuted into NYC daily, as well.

My new Clubman will be our main, daily driver - and the car we'll take on trips, as well.

These are excellent cars. Of course you'd find people on a MINI site saying that. This will be my third.

P.S. Go for several test drives and I don't think you'll regret it.

 

I was looking at the Trailblazer SS for my wife to replace her Mustang GT. Really nice car but the mileage was 12/16! She decided to go look at the Mini's and saw the Clubman on the lot. She drove it and really liked it. We ended up with the Clubman for her and she's in love. Its her daily driver and she rants about it every day when she walks in the door. I'm glad we went with this instead of the SS. As they say, happy wife, happy life.

 

I used to have an Element before my current MCSCa - it was GREAT as far as room and utility. I was disappointed by the mileage (never better than 24mpg hwy) and the ride - drove it twice on 1200 mile trips - very skittish in winds, not smooth, and noisy.
I'm picking up my new Clubman on Monday - my cabrio just doesn't have enough room for me, but MINIs sure do have a big grin factor, no matter what model.
Go for the Clubman!!

 

I've had a Honda Element (not an SC) and I currently drive a regular Cooper. If mileage is a consideration I would recommend that you get the Clubman. I was lucky in my Element to get 20 mpg. Both my husband and I were amazed at how lousy the mileage was. In contrast I average 33-35 mpg in my automatic Cooper. Also, I find that the seats in my Cooper are WAY more comfortable than the Elements were.

My sister had an HHR for all of 7 months before she traded it in on a Mazda CX-7. She loved the looks of the HHR, but said the build quality stunk and she hated the short windows in it.

 

I was driving an Isuzu Trooper - 16-18 MPG. I too drive 20k per year and here in Ohio - Cincinnati. I went with the Clubman over a Miata or Element.

I have had mine for just over a week and put on over 500 miles in just the first few days. MPG on my 1st tank was 31.0. My current MPG on the car's computer shows 32.1. So, I'm happy with my choice.

I went with performance tires as I plan to drive the truck on snowy days or just stay home - as I can work virtual on those days anyway. My MA told me that she puts snow tires on hers in the winter and performance the rest of the year.

 

I also cross-shopped the Element, and was impressed by the versatility and room, but not very impressed with the drivetrain, responsiveness, or EPA mileage estimates. My opinion of the CR-V was about the same. The Clubman gives up A LOT of carge space and versatility to many competitors, but it was the test drive that convinced me I had to have one! If your stuff fits, you must submit!

 

(And if it doesn't, get a roof rack! )

 

I traded an '05 Pathfinder for my clubman. After my first long weekend 700+ mile trip with wife and kid I am very happy and don't miss the lost cargo space. I looked too at the Element and the Subaru. It came down to seat comfort and finish out quality as to why I got the Clubman. I made the right decision.

 

Much like OH6, I currently drive an Isuzu (11yr old Rodeo - a great trucky SUV) and I have on order a Laser Blue/silver Clubman with performance tires (and I often telecommute too) . The husband and I intend to rack up the miles on the clubbie when it arrives as it is fun to drive and miserly on the premium black gold. The cargo space is the perk that pushed me over the edge to soon join the Mini mania. My SUV will stay in circulation for awhile as an inclement weather car until age related repairs become cost prohibitive.

Elements are great low cost cargo swallowing AWD available car-SUVs. But from reading Element forums the gas mileage is less than stellar. With the rear seats removed they hold a lot of stuff.

Keep in mind one thing that the Clubbie and the Element have in common - the back seat is 2 passengers only - no middle belt. So if people hauling is a priority neither may be a good choice.

I've done a bit of reading regarding HHRs as my mother is interested in driving her Jeep Wrangler less and getting an HHR as a cool main ride. They get decent mileage. The side airbags and 2.4 bigger engine are a must. They're not too bad for cheap cars, just keep in mind the auto's are 4speed and the rear brakes are drums not discs. In 2008 I will not touch an auto with less than 5 speeds and drum rear brakes - ugg. But the powertrain warranty is good and you can pick them up pretty discounted.

 

Do it! My "regular" MCS is plenty good for my daily driving. I'm down to a 50 mile round trip - but I love every mile of it now! And there's plenty of room for me and whatever else I need. I have been more selective with what I "need" but that just helps fuel economy, too.

 

Don't forget you can always get the roof rack.

 

Our MINIs have always been our daily drivers. No exception with the Clubman either. We love it....it's great on gas.....and just as the new one's in 02' had lots of inquiries and lookie loos, we are getting the same thing with the Clubman... "Man I LOVE those French Doors"..

Donna

 

Thanks for all the feedback. I did test drive an S with the sport suspension and one without last weekend. They both drove great but I liked the seats that come with the sport package better. I was surprised how easy it was to test drive an S model.
The Honda dealer gave me an EX to drive and when I asked why I could not drive the SC he said "they are all the same" so off to another dealer I went.The Mini salesman let me and the wife drive 2 with no sales pressure. So I think I will make another visit to the Mini dealer this weekend to talk about buying / ordering one.

Mike

 

Looking forward to hearing from you after this next MINI visit/test drive.

 

Where are you at in Ohio? My wife had similiar experiences with a couple of Honda dealerships here in Columbus. Good luck with your next visit to the MINI dealership.

 

B.A.D - I am in Galloway and I went to Hugh White Honda as they were close to my house.

Mike

 

Mike,

You'll have to keep us updated on your search. If you want to meet up with some of the local owners we have a monthly breakfast meet at Tim Horton's in New Albany. Here is a link to the new website that was just launched a couple of months ago: http://www.midohiomotoring.com/Index.html
You can also find most of us here: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...splay.php?f=46

Brian

 

Brian

Thanks for the links.

Mike

 

My wife is now driving a Clubman after last a Toureg and before that a LR Discovery... I never imagined she would move to a car so much smaller in size after being "up high" on the road. But it took her a single test drive to win her over and the fact she will double, if not triple her gas milage really just is gravy...

 

Do you think we could get some kind of sales incentive referral fee from MINI USA?

A satisfied and happy customer makes the best salesperson. I'm sure many of us have spent time at our various dealer's showrooms, or on the street, discussing the finer points of driving our MINIs.

 

I took a long and winding road from large to small vehicles ('99 Silverado --> '02 Xterra --> '02 Protege5 --> '06 MCSa), but now that I've had a taste, I could never imagine going back. Even my wife's relatively diminutive (for an SUV) Honda CR-V feels like a big, blundering battleship next to the Mini.

I say go for it. Minis make excellent daily drivers. Once you get used to one, you'll be hooked.

 

miniclubman, how would you evaluate the Clubman as compared to the 3 series wagon you replaced? (We previously owned an '01 3 series convertible for a few years.) The BMW wagon was on our "short list" (along with the CR-V) before the Clubman test drive, but DH thought it was a bit boring comparatively while I liked it for its practicality. He felt the Clubman was a lot more fun to drive (and it even cost less) but we couldn't find a wagon "on the lot" to do a back to back comparison when we were looking to order. Always wondered how they'd stack up side by side in the final showdown.

 

The Clubman wouldn't be bad for a daily driver but I want to keep the miles down because those out of warranty costs will kill. CR-V's are wonderful vehicles. The are relatively good on gas, they are Hondas so they rarely every have problems, and they are great in any weather. I've had 4('03, '05, '06, and '07) but I had to give may last one up for this Clubman.