I've been doing a lot of browsing on the used auto sites (craigslist, ebay motors, et al) trying to find a low mileage MCa at a reasonable price, and I am constantly amazed at how many cars I find that meet all the criteria I am looking for, yet fail to have cruise control.

I still can't believe this option has yet to become standard. What car in the last 20 years other than Mini hasn't come standard with cruise?

I guess I have no real point in making this thread other than to see if anyone else agrees with me. It's frustrating to find a nicely optioned car with a good color and good options, yet no cruise.

 

Actually, I've noticed a LOT of "Base" level cars don't come with Cruise control, or even Air Conditioning.

From what I can't tell is so they can get their "Starting From" price as low as possible, even though they're really only giving you most of a car.

This is a big pet peeve of mine too. Especially in this country with hours of long straight roads, a car without cruise is practically useless.

 

I agree, it is pretty stupid that it isn't standard. But that way they can charge you extra for the Multi-function steering wheel.

 

I remember having cars that did not come standard with radios, but had a 'radio prep' option.

 

I agree and disagree. There are still plenty of cars out there without cruise, especially with manual trannys (granted that part doesn't apply here). But at the same time, most of those cars aren't in MINI's class (i.e., Toyota Yaris, Nissan Sentra, etc.). It does surprise me a little bit that cruise has yet to become standard on MINI's by now. Back in 2002/2003, when I bought my first one, it wasn't quite as big of a shock. Maybe it'll happen in 2010!

 

To each his own. I'm on my second MINI and neither has or had cruise. When I'm bored and playing with the configurator, although it might be nice to have cruise, I always pick another feature instead. What I love about MINI is seeing precisely where my investment has gone. I'd get more daily use with HID lights, would enjoy a LSD more and appreciate the anthracite headliner. That might be more of an indication of my driving though. Firstly I'm young, 26 and am fortunate whereas my commute (when I drive) is just under 2 miles and 90% of my trips are under 15miles. I go from Boston to NYC a few times a year (400miles RT) or Philadelphia (600miles RT) and every other year to Nova Scotia (1000miles one-way) and do fine without cruise-control.

Let's not forget MINI is from England whereas the entire country isn't much more than 500miles from the eastern to western coasts. And although the popularity of the MINI in the US is gaining, it is still often thought of more as a Euro city-car.

Shopping for a used MINI can be particularly difficult as there is so much customization and possibility of options. What is a must-have for some people is a waste of money for others. In a used MINI search you are searching just as much for the car as for the previous owner that had the same desires and needs. From your search results, it appears I'm not the only one who doesn't need/use cruise control.

 

It is un-excusable in my book that MINI hasn't made cruise control standard. The MINI is not a Toyota Yaris, Honda Fit, Hyundai Accent or any other of your bargain basement econoboxes. This car is marketed and priced as a premium small car. I am glad otherwise that MINI includes a lot of safety equipment standard (Including DSC for all models in '09), but for the admission prices, cruise control should be part of the package IMHO.

 

Sorry ClubmanS. I disagree a bit as I don't believe it's inexcusable on a non-S to not have cruise. I suppose I could understand it being standard on an S as the base MSRP crests the $20k mark (and all the psychological baggage that brings). What is inexcusable is not understanding MINIs home market and it's marketing. Let's not confuse MINIs with Acuras whereas there is only one option: navigation and otherwise people are driving around in exactly the same car in one of seven shades of silver or champagne. The beauty of MINI is how customizable it is on top of a remarkable base (you mention its great safety, and it also has great handling, fun to drive, etc). The essence of MINI is "you-ification". For those that want cruise, get the multi-function wheel and for those that don't, save the money and get something else.

 

Cruise control is bundled into a $250 MFSW. If you get it, you also have to get the controls for the stereo.

I will agree to disagree on that cruise control should not be a defacto item in the MINI.

In the same fashion people today expect A/C, power windows/locks, CD stereo, iPod input, etc as no extra cost items in their cars, cruise control should not be an exception.

 

We'll have to wait and see what the mid-life refresh of the R56/55/57 brings... perhaps you'll get your wish.

And who knows, maybe my next MINI will come with cruise or the multi-function steering wheel as standard equipment and I'll have to get accustomed to dealing with more distracting buttons that get in the way of my motoring and perhaps a higher MSRP to boot...

 

I love my MFSW. The button layout/quality/feedback was much better in the old 2 spoker steering wheel. I loved the stereo buttons at the back of the spokes in my 2002 MC and 2004 MCS. You could even switch between radio/CD/AUX without taking your hands off the steering wheel. You can no longer do that with the 3 spoker wheel.

However, I like better how the 3 spoker feels in my hand. But the MFSW buttons are nowhere near the quality found in the old steering wheels.

 

I doubt the 2010 "refresh" will make cruise control standard. But who knows.... After so many years, DSC became standard across the board for MY2009 (MSRP went up by $500 to reflect the change).

 

I don't have cruise on my 2004 MCS and don't find that I miss it that much even on longer drives. With how congested most highways are now (depending where you live, perhaps), it's not often that I would even feel comfortable using it due to how often it would need to be disengaged and then resumed.

It's not a "must have" for me, and I appreciate being able to save a little bit by not being forced to have a "feature" that I would rarely use. A MINI isn't really designed to be a long-distance hauler, either. CC makes more sense as being standard in a Buick or Benz compared to a MINI, IMO.

Besides, it is an option that a new owner can select if he/she wants when having the car built. Since a high number of MINI's are ordered with what the buyer selected, and you are finding that the used market consists of many MINIs without CC, perhaps that indicates that there are significant numbers out there that don't really feel the pressing need to have cruise control on their vehicles... Hardly "inexcusable" as far as I see it.

 

A lot of MINI's are ordered without Cruise Control as it is not listed as an option;
if you don't realize the need to order MFSW, you don't get CC.

Used MINI's without CC will not sell as fast, so you will see more of them offered.

 

+1.

 

I guess for those of use that live in the "Flyover" states it's probaly more of a necessity than for those living on the coasts. When I go up to visit my parents it's 2 solid hours of perfectly straight road, and there is only 1 change in speed limit for about 10 miles of it.

Having lived in the flat, straight, middle of the country all my life a car without cruise control is painful. So I guess I see it as a necessity right up there with tires.

 

I was never a fan of cruise control, but i have it on my car. Actually I think I've used to about 2 or 3 times since I started driving...

 

Same here. I'm all for "sporty driving" and "car/driver connectedness", but I also make several 3000-mile cross-country trips each year, and when I'm on an empty interstate, with "miles and miles of nothing but miles and miles" in front of me, cruise control is a godsend.

 

i feel your pain... i think i found a beautiful black on black 05 or 6 at a dealer when i was first looking...had eeeverything it seemed, minus the damn cruise...had to walk. Ya im sure i coulda fit it on somehow or whatever... didnt matter as i just ordered a new one in the end

I cant live without it..i drive 3 hours one way highway almost every week

 

Back in '02, only one of those was a standard option on MINI's in Europe.


The US is forced to get options that other people dont. I would love to have optioned my Silver car to not have AC.

 

Living in north texas, you hit it right on the mark for me. I do a lot of cross-state traveling, and I NEED cc. NEED.