When CARandDRIVER magazine does road tests, they have a little summary box that tells about a car's highs, its lows, and their verdict.

I thought it would be fun to start a thread where everyone summarizes their own opinions on the Mini.

Here's what I came up with:


Mini Cooper S:

Highs: Stellar resale value, Charming styling, Well controlled body motions, Good fit & finish, Very space efficient, It’s cute.

Lows: Shift throws are too long, Doors don’t like to stay open, Poor mileage for such a small car, It’s cute.

The Verdict: German engineering combined with British charm yields a car that’s not about the numbers.



Have Fun!

 

Can MC owners add to this?
It's your thread, just asking:smile:

 

Of course Mini Cooper owners are allowed to opine. I put the S in parenthesis.

Mini One owners keep out!!!

 

HIGHS:

The kid at the Arby's drive-thru saying "By the way, NICE car!"
All the girls want to go for a ride.
Great gas mileage considering the quick acceleration from stop lights.
Mmmmm, leather seats!

LOWS:

Can't think of any...

 

My 03 MC with 52K mile has these Highs and Lows
Highs;
Fun
Supreme Handling out of the box, very nimble
Great MPG
Doesn't look like anything else on the road, BIG plus
Comfy
Starts at -50F
Safe
Center speedo
Rev. counter were ya need it.

Lows;
My butt is a few inches off the road.

Verdict;
Besides some warrenty stuff, that was promply dealt with, I've got nothing that bothers me about my MINI

 

Why do you like the center speedo?

 

Positives:
Great Seating position
Tremendous handling
Strong Engine great sounds
Classic styling
Very Safe
Great stock stereo

Negatives:
Cup holder is awkward
Poor dealership support
Cop Magnet

 

My classic had one:smile:
I tend to watch the revs/gear I'm in more. I know how fast I'm going from that.

 

Well, I've only had my MCS for about a month, but here are my highs/lows.

Highs:

1. Great sounding car (from the whine of the supercharger, to the cute little exhaust notes)
2. Great handling
3. Surprisingly roomy and comfortable for such a small vehicle
4. Good gas mileage (my 10 year old 2.2L Sunfire got 100-150 km less per tank with only 66% of the power)
5. Easy to park
6. All the random women who talk to me in parking lots about my car

Lows:

1. Not much punch from the H/K sound system (at least it sounds clear/crisp to me, just distorts on some bassy stuff)
2. Not much trunk space (not a Costco friendly car)
3. The obsessive behaviour in me that it has created
4. All of the random men who talk to me in parking lots about my car

 

BAHAHAHAHA!! I like number 4 on your lows list!!

 

High: Short enough to allow 2 motorcycles to park in front of it in 1/2 of my garage.


Low: One more enthusiast vehicle in the fleet to spend money on.

 

Highs:

exotic car driving sensations
defies demographics
unique styling inside and out
great support especially in dealing with warranty issues.
obsessive behaviour keeps me out of trouble-has WAF (Wife acceptance factor)

Lows:
a lot more warranty issues than I expected
About 3 inches too long to fit a third car into my two car garage

 

Highs

- Go cart handling
- Solid fit and finish
- Styling
- great motor
- rear seats big enough for my kiddos

Lows
- Ummm... cup holder?

Verdict
- Best damn car money can buy - and its not a lot of money

 

+'s
peppy, even in 6th
cool lookin'
full glass roof
can smoke sportier lookin' cars
still fits in tiny parking spots

-'s
rattley sounds in cabin on rough patches
...that's it, actually...

LOVE this car. 55k on it, still in honeymoon stage!
dan

 

On the UP Side
AWESOME Company CAR - Great conversation starter
Cannot count the number of those conversations that lead to closed deals
Now MY car.....
Styling
Pep - itsablur- Wait till you add a pulley and CAI
Handling

On the down side
Only holds 1 set of hockey gear. Son and I both play and ref....


For a car that has over 100K miles on it ther has not been a whole I have had to do to the car due to mechanical failure. The only thing major I can think of is power steering pump and wiring.

'02, EB/W, 17" SSR-GT1, 15% Helix, H-Sport swaybar, H&R Springs
otw Alta Blue CAI, Alta Blue Catch Can, Coil Pack, wires....
3M Cleargaurd for lights

 

Highs: Handling. Power. Looks. Fun! Enough electrical problems and sunroof leaks to bring back the authentic British Car Experience!


Lows: None.

regards,
Red

 

Highs: A car people love so much, they're taking pictures of me on the freeway with their camera phones.

Lows: A car people love so much, they're taking pictures of me on the freeway with their camera phones.

 

Highs
- Gives absolute confidence in pushing driving limits to the edge
- Good looks match performance unlike some other similar looking cars
- Aftermarket products almost as innovative as car itself (MINI FINI Sport Link)
- After 43,000 miles in almost 2 years, it still makes me giddy everytime I see it.
- Swallows tvs, toilets, ladders, and almost anything you can throw at it.
- Great conversation starter anywhere
- Whole MINI culture has permitted me to make some really good friends
- In general most enthusiasts are passionate individuals who together we share a special bond.

Lows
- Lots of newbies that aren't enthusiasts
- Wallet keeps getting lighter as I find more mods to do