My wife wants an older convertible & I prefer project cars. I've been reading about the issues with Mini's that some have had with the various gens. Most reviews say avoid the convertibles but don't offer an explanation as to why. So whats the deal with them? Costly to repair when the mechanism craps out? Parts unavailable?

 

Warning, the comments in this post are not impartial.

The only thing better than a MINI is a MINI vert. I do advise anybody that partakes in spirited driving with a vert do so with some type of racing designed harness. On issues, most cars all break down and anybody that buys one thinking otherwise IMO is foolish.

 

Convertibles never made sense to me in Minnesota. Same with outdoor pools

 

It's the glare from all the cheese head hats next door . . . . .

 

This is also not impartial.

Buy an NA Miata, it is always the answer. Plus, you can get two birds stoned at once as it is a convertible and old enough to be a project.

MINIs are not reliable cars. They can be expensive and complicated to repair, and the convertibles (like most convertibles) are flimsy.

I advise that you do not run a racing harness regularly on the street because basilar skull fractures.

 

Thanks for all your input so far.
The only things I don't do yet is bodywork and paint.. Thinking about trying paint once I retire. I've done bodywork in the past but didn't have the patience to feather the bondo correctly. Now that I'm older I have the patience, just need to keep the coffee brewing or it's nap time.

 

A very partial view about R52 S vert


Nothing finer then a full moon drive, along the beach, headed to the north shore


or a sunny afternoon drive going no where, just to be motoring


or a semi cloudy morning top down and enjoying the time with your best friend.


Driving in Hawaii means never driving with the top up, unless it is raining hard enough that I worry about drowning.


A MINI vert is the way to go.

 

I paid $7,300 for my fully loaded 2008 R52 with 53k miles back in March. Put on another 3k miles with no issues. We love this car and the top only goes up if it's raining or snowing.

 

My R52 ...

Is a real blast,

Motor On!


... and that is Miss Susan in her twin behind me (Lime Rock Park)

 

I had two Miatas and two Honda s2000s, loved the cars but at 6-3 I am like a sardine in a can. The MINI vert has loads of room.

On the harness, my C3 and C5 ruptured when a lady hit me in my Blazer and it rolled. I don't want to even think about rolling a convertible but at least with the harness I am staying in the car.

 

+1 on an NA Miata; it's easy to mod and loads of fun to drive. I bought one new in '92 and drove it trouble free for 18 yrs before I bought my MINI. My next new car will be another Miata!

 

If you do wind up getting a MINI drop head, make dang sure it is the R52 manual. The W11 engine and Getrag gear box are near bullet proof.

 

X2 6 speed manual is rock solid!

 

NA Miata's is the perfect convertible.
Parts are widely available and are extremely cheap.
It's very easy to work on and are very reliable.
The only downside is that if you're taller than 5"6, your knees will suffer.

Mini parts are expensive and are challenging to work on.
If you have the money and patience, go for the Mini.

 

Which is worse? Getting crushed by your rolling car or having your skull violently detached from the rest of your spine?

I'll get another one soon enough. They are so cheap to mod and there is a massive aftermarket. I had a very fun street/autox car for less than I've spent trying to just get my R53 to be a half-decent daily driver (excluding purchase prices).

I honestly hate working on my R53. Anything I want to do costs 2-4x as much as it should and takes 3x as long. I haven't even gotten to do any good modifications because I've spent hobby money this past year just trying to work out the inadequacies of the stock parts and configuration.

I have a serious love hate relationship with these cars. I won't sell mine but I'll never tell someone to buy one.

 

I'm fairly certain that it is a state requirement in Florida that if found in the possession of a mini.....it needs to be a vert. Who are we to question a state law.

 

My roadster top is totally manual - no mechanism to break (whew).

 

Whoever wrote that law, I'd buy him a beer. Question: What does the law say about when it has to be folded back. I am aware of only four conditions requiring raising the head.
1. Raining
2. Snowing (not a concern in FL)
3. Co-pilot complaining about being too hot or too cold (cold not a FL concern either)
4. A bunch of drunks throwing empty beer cans in the back seat and didn't invite me.
Otherwise, top down.

 

MINIs are a street legal go-kart. Guess what? Go-karts don't have roofs either! Such a blast rowing the gears with the top down! And two adults fit just fine in the rear for going around town. You can't do that with a Miata!

 

But the ride is completely different in a Miata. No ABS and rear wheel drive!

 

I would get a convertible again. Mine has a ton of miles and I would get one again. The MINI convertible has about the most connected feeling to the outdoors and the street in my opinion. I really like my R58 JCW but my R52 Cooper w/JCW kit is a different experience.

 

ECSTuning wrote -
The MINI convertible has about the most connected feeling to the outdoors and the street in my opinion.

You need a motorcycle..! THAT, is the most connected to the outdoors. Been there for 33+ years...no more fun than being on a bike in the mountains.

Mike

 

Most bikers can't handle corners in the mountains as fast as a good sports car.

 

Some euros crashed tested convertibles, the MINI is very well designed. I will take a chance rolling around inside of it in lieu or getting thrown out or be raised up high enough to get a high and tight hair cut compliments of the pavement.

 

There have pictures posted in the past of some horrendous car crashes (almost called them accidents) where the MINI remained upright though it's little nose was mushed in, but, the important thing was that drivers and passengers were standing on the curb like the one with the engine laying off to the side. They are tough little cars and one of the common complaints is the near vertical windscreen. That's part of the MINI convertible 'roll cage'.