I've owned 2 MINIS, LOVED them both...

But I owned them under warranty...and now, dealing with a lower income, I'm wondering if I should replace my 2009 MC with something Asian/reliable before the warranty runs out. The replacement budget is maybe $15k...ideally $10k.

Makes me sick to think about it. But...what would be your best idea for an Asian replacement? Ideally it would possess the exact same qualities of a MINI (impossible, I know <g>):

Fun!
Fast/Quick
Great MPG's...30+

For me, while it is less practical and less fuel efficient, a Miata comes to mind.

Others?

 

Honda S2000
Honda Civic SI
Acura RSX (probably closest to Mini)

 

I test drove an MX-5 (an '06.) and it was a lot of fun. Less practical space, and I don't really like ragtops, but other than that it would be a contender for me. I've been meaning to test drive an RX-8 as well, but I imagine the fuel economy isn't there. If you could find a nice, unmodded S2000 that would be a good option.

 

I wonder what the asian car forum might say.

 

Well...I want to hear opinions from a MINI owner's perspective...the only ones that count <g>.

 

Got an 05 & 06 and will never think of replacing them. Twenty years or so from now they would still look fresh because of their unique shape. Unlike asian cars where after three years, they look so outdate. If the reasoning behind this is financial, then what happens after the asian car warranty expires again? The shops are still going to stick it to you if you don't do your own work and maintenance. I don't really see any savings on this move. Asian cars also break down and with their own recalls.

 

At this point the Subaru BRZ is looking pretty nice.

But to answer your original question, I would have to say Toyota Corolla. Not very exciting but reliable as a stone. They just keep going and going. Decent fuel economy, cheap to insure. Great cars.

 

Indeed! I will be taking a hard look at these when they come out.

 

EVO XIII.

 

That looks pretty cool.

Just curious, have you had any mechanical problems with your car thus far? The major issues seem to lie mostly with the Cooper S. You might be worrying over nothing. If you like your car, and it hasn't been a nuisance yet, you should consider keeping it.

 

If you're looking at new cars, the only one that comes in at $10K is the Nissan Versa.

You can get a Honda Fit for $13K + a bit, and it is supposed to be tolerably fun. Decent gas mileage, too. But it sure feels tinny and flimsy compared to the MINI.

There are pretty few FWD cars out there that have hatchback practicality and a decent fun-to-drive factor. Perhaps the little Mazdas would work. The new SkyActive (however you spell it) Mazda3 might be a strong contender, Mazda can build some pretty fun cars. Plus that one has more power and gets better fuel economy than their base model.

Most fun cars these days are RWD or AWD, and most of them offer mediocre fuel economy.

 

Most cases they tend to have softer suspensions, and lack the power you are probably used to. And I never felt connected to road driving them either......

Good luck.

 

Toyota RAV4, Limited......

 

IMHO, a catastrophic mistake. There's no such thing as super reliability. Things do break down. It's the inevitable... Just my $0.02 of the matter...

 

I'd get a Subaru.

 

+1 on that...

 

 

Subaru.... meh... snoozefest.

 

I would think that you should pocket the potential money that you would spend on a less fun car and save it for potential repairs. Enjoy your MINI, like the above person said, most reported problems are on the S. Your MINI is a car that was designed by a premium company and should be reliable for at least 100k if proper, basic maintenance is done.

Mike

 

try a kia forte koup. It is kia so its cheap and the koup has racing pedigree.

 

06-09 Subaru Legacy GT


Had one, stupid reliable, built like a tank. Wont get to your mileage requirements, but will meet all your other needs.

 

Do you have reason to think your MINI wont continue to be reliable? Two of my previous cars were a 2004 Accord and a 2008 Civic. Both had great attributes, but the Accord was in the shop CONSTANTLY for rattles, broken seats, leaking sunroof, etc. etc. (nothing mechanical, but constant little headaches.) The Civic decided, at 32,000 miles, to dump its coolant and blow its engine up. (a known defect that affected a small percentage of Civics unfortunately affected mine.) Point being, you're rolling the dice with anything.

that said, if you're stuck on going to an Asian, the Civic (blown engine aside) was a fantastic car. I think I'd still be driving it if the engine hadn't blown. I considered an Si before ordering my MINI, but the interior on the new ones is low buck. If you could find a good preowned Si, you might have a winner. I also had an S2000, which matches the MINI for driving fun, but was expensive as all hell to insure, and ate tires like a fat kid eats cake. May not be the best if you're looking to reign in the budget. Also had a 2001 Mazda Protege (forerunner to the 3) which I kept for an unheard of (for me) 4 and a half years, without a single solitary problem. If the current 3 didn't have that goofy looking grin, it would have been on my shopping list this time around.

 

Well, going to say what has already been said! You already know what you want so just find a way to keep driving what you already have. If you are worried about reliability maybe its time to save some cash to buy an extended warranty (either from MINI or even a third party...shop around). If you are worried about not being able to save enough, a warranty might be a reasonable way to reduce your risk. Of course a warranty is a gamble...you might make out and save tons of money or you might waste a good chunk of money. It's a gamble in my opinion.

TLDR: Find a way to keep it, save some cash, buy a warranty or be brave and adventurous and remember forums are places where people talk about problems more than not.

 

Nissan. I am and always will be a Nissan fan.

Though I am taking a look at the new Toyabaru coming out.

 

The only asian cars I have owned would be Toyota celica's ('79 and '86) and a Miata (2001). The reliability on the '86 celica turned me off of the Toyota brand. The Miata was a blast and ran great. I miss that car. It was replaced with our first Mini.