R50/53 Is the MINI an everyday car? Is it your only car?
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1st Gear
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas
My dealer just informed me my car is at least 6 weeks away, 6 weeks
longer than told at time of order. So I spent yesterday test driving
a GTI, RSX and an Ford Focus SVT. My heart is still with the MINI
but friends of mine have questioned whether the MINI is an
everyday car, some think its a toy, others say it won't last long
because I commute 50 miles a day to work and back not to mention
the pleasure miles I'll put on it.
Will I be happy with this car as my only car? Are you? I live in
Las Vegas so the weather, even in the summer, won't be an issue.
Thanks.
longer than told at time of order. So I spent yesterday test driving
a GTI, RSX and an Ford Focus SVT. My heart is still with the MINI
but friends of mine have questioned whether the MINI is an
everyday car, some think its a toy, others say it won't last long
because I commute 50 miles a day to work and back not to mention
the pleasure miles I'll put on it.
Will I be happy with this car as my only car? Are you? I live in
Las Vegas so the weather, even in the summer, won't be an issue.
Thanks.
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,265
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Why would anyone own a second car? If I had one it would only sit in the garage collecting dust.
My wife owns a van, but all I drive is the MCS. And when we go out as a family (9 and 11 year old boys) we take the MCS...except for overnights with luggage.
My wife owns a van, but all I drive is the MCS. And when we go out as a family (9 and 11 year old boys) we take the MCS...except for overnights with luggage.
...sometimes I think the GTI would be better for daily driving (cuz it's the squishiest/most cushy of the hatches), esp. with the reference-point horrible roads here in Detroit. However, in terms of smiles-per-mile, nothing near the category can hang with the MINI.
5th Gear
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,054
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From: USA
If you want a car about which you won't have to think, get a Toyota. If you don't mind having to keep an eye on the car--make sure the window drops when you pull the door handle, be willing to give the window a quick downward shove before you shut the door, keep your door latches from getting wet--then you'll be fine with a MINI. Mine is doing OK so far as an everyday car.
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,555
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My MCS is my everyday car, although I don't have to commute. My husband has one too as well as a WRX, but even when he does have to commute (from Annapolis, MD to the other side of DC in NoVa, which is a bear) he drives his MCS. Please hold out for a MINI....you'll not regret it...
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6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,406
Likes: 0
From: Northeast Ohio
It works fine as a daily driver. My old commute was 29 miles each way and it was just fine.
When it was just my wife and I, we could fit a months worth of groceries or a Costco run in the back of the MINI with the seats dropped, and still have room left over.
When it was just my wife and I, we could fit a months worth of groceries or a Costco run in the back of the MINI with the seats dropped, and still have room left over.
OVERDRIVE
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 7,926
Likes: 40
From: Greensboro, NC
The Mini's essentially a German engineered car with long legs for the Autobahn so I tend to think that it'll last a long time.
In Michigan, it's too nice a car to drive every day. Wish I was in Florida about now
In Michigan, it's too nice a car to drive every day. Wish I was in Florida about now
5th Gear
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 3
From: Endicott, NY
My comute is only 1/10th of yours but I see that as a disadvantage to me, you know...less time to motor.
My previous car was an Eagle Talon that I drove everyday for 12 years, and I find the MINI has more comfortable rear seating and more convienent usable space in the boot for hauling "stuff" around, not to mention being 10 times more fun to drive, I see no reason not to recomend it as a daily driver !!
My previous car was an Eagle Talon that I drove everyday for 12 years, and I find the MINI has more comfortable rear seating and more convienent usable space in the boot for hauling "stuff" around, not to mention being 10 times more fun to drive, I see no reason not to recomend it as a daily driver !!
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,754
Likes: 36
From: Metro Detroit Area, Michigan
I dive mine every day and I own a full size van and a 73 nova. You can never have too many cars each one does a function. The van hauls stuff. The nova is a classic that goes real fast in a straight line and the mini takes corners every day with joy. I would not take any of the others you talk about. Because style always wins over ride. Good luck and stop listing to your friends. Person pressure is so high school. You know we are all doing it so you should too.
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3rd Gear
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
From: arlington virginia
my cooper is a everyday car. i take her to work (20 miles each way) and around town with two kids. i also have a minivan but only use it when all 5 of us need to go someplace which is very rare for now because our youngest one is only 6 weeks old :smile:
3rd Gear
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 279
Likes: 0
From: NJ
Daily driver here. No problems, just goes. One of the most important things though, be sure the dealer who will be servicing your MINI is cool about loaners and such.
One of the most important things, besides knowing that when you've reached your destination, its time to stop motoring. (gets me in trouble all the time)
Love this car!!!!
One of the most important things, besides knowing that when you've reached your destination, its time to stop motoring. (gets me in trouble all the time)
Love this car!!!!
You actually ask a question that I find myself answering to friends and co-workers more and more often.
OK....the MINI is a sports car. If you think of it that way, and understand what it means to drive a sports car, then all will be right in your MINI ownership world. The car has its idiosyncracies, it doesn't have much room for more for more than 2 people and a little of their stuff (or one person and a fair bit of their stuff), it's designed to put as little in the way as possible between you and the experience of driving. It likes to be pampered.
None of those things mean that you can't make it your daily driver. But it's not a family car, nor is it a "drive it and forget about it" car. Out of the 3 cars you name in your original post, I too would have to agree that the VW is probably more tamed than the MINI. So, what you need to decide is whether or not you want a tamed car.
My MINI is my daily commuter car. I have only a 30 minute (each way) daily commute, but often (about once every two weeks) take longer (200 - 400 mile) trips for work. I'm almost always driving by myself. I also have a family...and we have a Chrysler minivan that gets as much use as the MINI. It's the van that handles all of the routine kid ferrying, grocery shopping, trips to Home Depot, and driving around of family and friends that are a staple of ex-urban life.
OK....the MINI is a sports car. If you think of it that way, and understand what it means to drive a sports car, then all will be right in your MINI ownership world. The car has its idiosyncracies, it doesn't have much room for more for more than 2 people and a little of their stuff (or one person and a fair bit of their stuff), it's designed to put as little in the way as possible between you and the experience of driving. It likes to be pampered.
None of those things mean that you can't make it your daily driver. But it's not a family car, nor is it a "drive it and forget about it" car. Out of the 3 cars you name in your original post, I too would have to agree that the VW is probably more tamed than the MINI. So, what you need to decide is whether or not you want a tamed car.
My MINI is my daily commuter car. I have only a 30 minute (each way) daily commute, but often (about once every two weeks) take longer (200 - 400 mile) trips for work. I'm almost always driving by myself. I also have a family...and we have a Chrysler minivan that gets as much use as the MINI. It's the van that handles all of the routine kid ferrying, grocery shopping, trips to Home Depot, and driving around of family and friends that are a staple of ex-urban life.
3rd Gear
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 172
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From: Oklahoma
I drive over 300 miles every week, and have no real problems with my MC. My other car is a supercharged Frontier. The only time i drive it now is when I need to get something big at the store, or to take it and get gas for the wife.
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,892
Likes: 0
From: Long Island, New York
My MCS is a daily driver.
29K in 1& 1/2 years.
To quote Jsun......"But it's not a family car, nor is it a "drive it and forget about it" car. So, what you need to decide is whether or not you want a tamed car."
His statement.... says it all :smile:
I personally have a...... "luv/less than luv"...... relationship w/ my MCS :smile:
Today....I have finally realized that I need to get a newer model...but dunno which year to make the change though.....quite yet
?
Peace,
D
_________________
PM d-mini-ero
I own a 2002 MCS w/ alot of stuff on it.
29K in 1& 1/2 years.
To quote Jsun......"But it's not a family car, nor is it a "drive it and forget about it" car. So, what you need to decide is whether or not you want a tamed car."
His statement.... says it all :smile:
I personally have a...... "luv/less than luv"...... relationship w/ my MCS :smile:
Today....I have finally realized that I need to get a newer model...but dunno which year to make the change though.....quite yet
?Peace,
D
_________________
PM d-mini-ero
I own a 2002 MCS w/ alot of stuff on it.
5th Gear
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 970
Likes: 1
From: Metro Washington D. C.
My MC is a daily driver. and the car of choice for for family short trips or long trips when only 2 people are going. We use my wife's van when the family goes on a long trip together. I have a 03 MC with SS+ purchased 28 Sep 02. It has 28k miles on it now.
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,010
Likes: 0
From: Austin,Texas
Yes, my MCS is my one and only car. It's great! As I can afford to, Mr Bridger will be my 2nd car because I'll order me a new MINI to drive every day. My Goal is to have 2 !
I did make 2 changes to my insurance, I changed the deductable for windshield to be only $100 each time and I added Rental Car. I also purchased the extended 100,000 mile 4 year Road Side Assistance so I can be flat bedded to the nearest dealer for up to 100,000 miles. I put just over 300 miles a week going to and from work and I add sometimes 200-300 more on the weekends if I go out of town or on a MINI rally. I picked up Mr Bridger 11-4 and I have 5300 miles on him. He drives like a dream. Very solid and very smooth.
Owning a MINI for me is more than just owning a car. It's given me membership to MINI clubs, like NAM on the internet and a local MINI club too. We go motoring about once per month. In Nov we had 16 MINIs. The last rally on Jan 11th there were 9 MINIs. I put 400 miles on my car. It was a twisted Texas Hill Country road rally, it started with breakfast at 7am and I got home at 5pm. Our top speed was 112 down a straightaway on a two lane country road. It's pure fun!
oh, and what's 6 weeks in the large scheme of things? Does it feel like Christmas was a long time ago? No, for me it feels like it was yesterday, yet it's been 3 and a half weeks. But I have to admit, my dealer added time to each of the scheduled intervals so he was saying I'd have my car by "the end of Nov" and I took delivery on 11-4. He said he does it on purpose so customers are prepared for any and all delays that can occur.
You'll love your MINI when you get it!
What color combo and options are you getting???
Does he have a name yet?
Do you have a local MINI club? and have you joined as a "future owner"????
_________________
MR BRIDGER
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I did make 2 changes to my insurance, I changed the deductable for windshield to be only $100 each time and I added Rental Car. I also purchased the extended 100,000 mile 4 year Road Side Assistance so I can be flat bedded to the nearest dealer for up to 100,000 miles. I put just over 300 miles a week going to and from work and I add sometimes 200-300 more on the weekends if I go out of town or on a MINI rally. I picked up Mr Bridger 11-4 and I have 5300 miles on him. He drives like a dream. Very solid and very smooth.
Owning a MINI for me is more than just owning a car. It's given me membership to MINI clubs, like NAM on the internet and a local MINI club too. We go motoring about once per month. In Nov we had 16 MINIs. The last rally on Jan 11th there were 9 MINIs. I put 400 miles on my car. It was a twisted Texas Hill Country road rally, it started with breakfast at 7am and I got home at 5pm. Our top speed was 112 down a straightaway on a two lane country road. It's pure fun!
oh, and what's 6 weeks in the large scheme of things? Does it feel like Christmas was a long time ago? No, for me it feels like it was yesterday, yet it's been 3 and a half weeks. But I have to admit, my dealer added time to each of the scheduled intervals so he was saying I'd have my car by "the end of Nov" and I took delivery on 11-4. He said he does it on purpose so customers are prepared for any and all delays that can occur.
You'll love your MINI when you get it!
What color combo and options are you getting???
Does he have a name yet?
Do you have a local MINI club? and have you joined as a "future owner"????
_________________
MR BRIDGER
<td align=center><b>MR<p>BRIDGER</b></td>
</font>
I'll just add that Pebbles is describing (in my opinion) an important mitigating factor in MINI ownership...that is, the "car as lifestyle" element that is indeed an issue for some MINI owners. I'd dare say that this is true for more NAM members (at least those who post) than not. This social function is part of an entirely different calculus than those more traditionally associated with car ownership (e.g., cost, utility, etc.). If you're looking for that, well, the MINI delivers in spades. I mean, when was the last time you heard about a Camry club? 
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,733
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From: Bridgewater, NJ
when was the last time you heard about a Camry club?
Clubs for everything....
Although the MINI being newer is going to have more intitial enthusiasts. My MC is a daily driver, in all weather. I knew of the possible "issues" as a first year model car. I suspect now that many of the little bugs are being ironed out...
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6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,256
Likes: 2
From: Chicago, IL
>>^
I "get" the social thing, and it matters, and there are plenty of Owner Opinions and Suggestions (OOS) in here to fix whatever ails ya, besides... Like grampa used to say, "quit yer bellyachin" (i hated that).
hopin DMiniEro gets the new car he wants,
Tatt
I "get" the social thing, and it matters, and there are plenty of Owner Opinions and Suggestions (OOS) in here to fix whatever ails ya, besides... Like grampa used to say, "quit yer bellyachin" (i hated that).
hopin DMiniEro gets the new car he wants,
Tatt