There are so many nice used mini's out there that are all Automatics! Why so many automatics on an enthusiasts car? I keep looking for a nice low mileage used Cooper S but 9 times out of 10 they are automatics and I stop reading the ad immediately.

 

There sure seem to be. When I bought mine this past July, the dealer had 3 other Minis, all of them cheaper than the one I bought. They showed them to me as alternatives, but each of them was an automatic, and I only wanted the manual. Figures the manual would have been the most expensive of them! LOL

 

When I was looking, all I saw were manual transmissions. I had to buy a new one to get an automatic. Maybe the market just shifts back and forth between manuals and automatics.

Dave

 

because if your like me, shifting between 2 and 3 gear, 3 times every two blocks sucks. besides, most automatics have some form of paddle shifter/sport shift mode now. (btw ferraris are starting to go Automatic only)

 

The automatic paddle shifters work great BUT the manual downshift into the corners is still far superior!

 

I had this problem also. I was looking into getting a new MINI and every time I would find one I really liked the look of it was Manual (and I had never drove one). But I decide that since most of them were Manual I figured I should get over myself and give the Manual a try =D I LOVE IT =) Learned to drive it pretty quickly and really Still learning only had the car about 2 months now. Over all i am pretty happy with the choice =) So just give it a try you never know =) Motor On

 

I had trouble finding a cooper s with a manual that I liked but after waiting it turned up. It is amazing how many "performance" cars have a low percentage of manuals or don't offer it as an option.

 

Just to stir the pot a little. People suck and can't drive manuals.





























































But on the real look at the average age of American MINI owners. A lot of people have problems with their health that prevents them from driving manual transmissions.

 

This thread makes my hair hurt.

Get what you want, they are both good.

 

Because we are in America!

 

lol i can drive a manual (i drive my buddies R32 vw on occasion) but for a daily driver i keep'em auto for laziness.

 

 

I have a nice used 6 speed MCS for sale. It's in my sig. Ya just gotta come to Washington to pick it up. But it sure would be fun driving it home. There is an ad on Auto Trader with more info.

 

Actually, I don't find shifting often to be so much of a hassle. This is the only car I've driven manual on, so I can't compare it's shifting to other cars, but it's very effortless to shift in the MINI.

Also, I think lamborghini is also going all auto. It's a shame, but their autos are so fast! not even a blink of an eye is an accurate representation... too slow!

 

True enthusiasts got the stick, than keep the car....
Folks who want to try the latest or greatest get the auto...then sell it and move on...
Sure the auto is better in traffic, but no pain, no gain.....i feel driving an auto adds one more layer of seperation between me and the road....i have to hope it shifts when i want it too...but a stick, i make it do exactly what i want.

 

Love it!!
The fact there is also a shortage of auto's for the mini (made in japan) also makes mini want to push the stick....

 

And just to add a little reality to this post.

Well not everyone has the option of getting a manual. Like me.... I am disabled while I was in serving in the military and now my left leg does not work as well as it needs to to do stop and go traffic in the Wash DC area.

Had a manual 1999 Beetle, got it to keep my leg strong, but when the traffic was real bad, I would have to pull over for up to an hour to let me leg rest.

So as much as I WOULD LOVE to have this car in a stick, it would be forces to sit in the driveway most of the time.

 

+1.

The MINI is and enthusiasts car, but it's not JUST an enthusiasts car, it's something those of us who consider ourselves "enthusiasts" have grappled with from day one. The Manual driver.

It's also viewed as a "cute" car by many, and subsequently is desirable by many MINI owners primarily from an aesthetic standpoint; the performance is an added bonus. The Automatic driver.

'Course this is an oversimplification, but it's fairly close to the truth. There is nothing wrong with either approach; the fact that it appeals to two broad groups of people helps sustain the brand.

 

Sans those with disabilities, this is one of the easiest stick cars to drive. The shifting is effortless with smooth clutch operation that does not tire a leg. It goes into gear easily and in our slow traffic I can just put the car in 2nd and generally not ever shift until the traffic gets better. Almost like driving an automatic.

It's SO much different than driving my 2005 GTO. That car you have to drive and the shifting takes some work. Not like the mini at all. But it's fun as well in a different way.

 

+1 Paddle shifters? What the heck is a paddle shifter? [that's a joke, please don't explain what they are].

Only a manual for me.

 

That sounds about right. Last I heard, around 87% of new MINI sales are automatics. For BMW, it's something like 98%.

 

mess up the post

 

LOL @ Dave. I saw what you originally wrote because it was e-mailed to me.

 

Has anyone seen those "Manual Transmission" rear badge stickers that are on the MINIs on the showroom floor? I want one for my car. Does anyone know if they are available?

 

Not as true in the 1st gen, which has a much stiffer clutch spring, and more shifting is required at low speeds because of the 1st gen's lower torque. I still enjoy the manual, but it can get tiring during extended stop and go traffic.