I've had my 2006 S convertible for almost a year and there's a few things that really ruin the experience for me. This is a quality car in general and I'm not telling anyone not to get it. But, since most reviews on this site are very positive (which is generally true about all specific car websites), let me give some of the negative to those wishing to make a purcahse. In no particular order:

1. Horrible off the line. Of course I partially realized this at the time of purchase as I never thought of this as an off the line type of car. Still, it's really bad. The tires chirp - yes, correct air pressure - at the slightest provocation. They're the all season run flats so I'm not expecting miracles but this is beyond bad.

2. Such poor gas mileage for such a small car. I'm getting 22-23 in mixed driving. Even after takeoff, this MCS isn't exactly a powerhouse. I used to get the same or slightly better mileage in my BMW Z3 M Coupe which had ~50 more horses IIRC and wasn't aero by any means. That car was a torque monster - gobs of power. Same story for my old Boxster.

3. This is purely lifestyle specific - car seat in the back = no room for the front passenger. It is a "Mini" so I guess this is expected.

4. Convertible specific blind spot. Just can't get over it. It's huge! My Boxster was fairly bad but at least that top folded flat into the car.

5. Something I don't like about the engine. Hard to put my finger on. It doesn't "like" to rev high but it not exactly a torque monster down low. Some easy mods available but having more power would make #1 even worse. Expected more for nearly $30k.

So I don't seem like a complete bummer, the car is very fun to drive and the styling details are great. Just not for me.

 

As you said, the car is just not for you. I am surprized by your #1, though. Then again, compared to a Boxter or Z3 M, I can understand your point. The rest of your points I think are something everyone should consider.

 

Bye Bye...

 

As stated by someone else, probably was never the right car for you. Perhaps the new turbo with a hardtop/sunroof might be a better choice. No blindspot and gobs more low end torque plus better mileage to boot. Good luck!

 

Some valid points -- not a car for everyone.
Then again if you're looking for a convertible at this price range, with the performance of the Z3 or Boxster, and that can accomodate that baby car seat -- you may want to reconsider getting rid of the car and consider addressing some of the 'faults' (ex. simple mods like pulley, non-RF tires, european side mirrors, etc . . .) or you may want to come back to the MINI family when the '09 cabrio comes out in Turbo (more torque and better gas mileage).
Of course you can find other cars that are either not converitble or no back seat or much more expensive, but otherwise your options are limited. The Mustang is out there and you may get better off-the-line performance, but the fun-factor is much lower -- and mileage is even worse . . . plus I found that the interior isn't any more forgiving with a car seat despite the larger car dimensions.

Good luck either way.

 

Bye...hope you find something that suits your needs.

And related to the blind spot on the verts...if that was such an issue...you could have done what many around here did...get one of those neato stick on mirriors that let's you see around it - blind spot issue - GONE!

 

interesting observations..just a few thoughts of mine..

1. I am a very agressive driver (i'm 20, so yeah). I start QUICK often..and my tires never chirp. This car is better off the line than my previous '05 Saab 9-3, and its better than a lot of my friends cars that cost more. Maybe you had bad tires..

2. Yeah, the gas mileage isnt good. Do you really care though? Of course, i dont pay for gas so thats easy for me to say (thanks dad). Just doesnt seem like something that would bother me. I thought people bought Toyotas for gas mileage, not sporty convertibles.

3. True, but what is your alternative?

4. True, that's why I like my hardtop mcs.

5. Dunno? I love the engine, and I've driven a good amount of $100k+ vehicles.

Overall, seems like its just the wrong car for you. I'm a young kid so I dont have the same concerns, but I can see how it would make a lousy family car. Good luck finding a replacement. New 3 Series hardtop convertible perhaps? Thats the BMW fan in me..

 

what did each of you other cars cost new? A boxter and Z3 were not cheap, and also not comparible new to new. Even if they were $33k new 4 years ago, that would be like $37k new today, so that leaves much car on the table for that extra $$$

not for you OK, but what did you think you were getting going from those cars to this?

 

sounds like if you bought a 2007 cooper s (non convertable) with the new engine most if not all your problems would be solved. engine pulls hard (peak torque 177lbs. at just 1600 RPMs, turbo). oh and it gets 29 city - 34 highway. seems like you are driving the wrong MINI.

 

Actually a bare-bones stripped Boxster starts at about $45,000 currently.

 

hmmm, what could you do with an extra $14k

 

FWIW, I also experienced wheel hop in my 2005 MCS running Goodyear All Season Run Flats. I do have line experience as I bought the Mini to be an autocross car specifically. Once I switched my tires to non-runflats, the difference has been incredible. My husband and I agree that it is like driving a different car. Just my .02.

 

My Mini was bad off the line and starting on hills until I made a few changes and now it is really good.

Having tires with no grip will make any car bad off the line. All season tires are easy to chirp. The Mini also takes a fair amount of reving and clutch slipping to get going in stock trim which makes things even worse.

I switched from 17" to lighter 16" wheels and 205/50 series non run flat more grippy tires and got a huge improvement in getting off the line and no effect on the speedo with the slightly shorter diameter which improved the gearing.

Adding power will improve getting off the line as long as you fix other things like wheels and tires. I changed the pully wheels and got lots of added lowend torque and more highend HP.

I also modified the exhaust and changed the air filter for better flow and saw a benefit.

I also changed the rear anti-sway bar to a 19mm and got more front grip.

I drive my 2003 MCS quickly and get about 25mpg all around and up to 35 when cruising the Freeway.

My Mini is pretty quick and none of this cost a whole lot.

 

Funny, I've often thought that if I didn't get the convertible I wouldn't be in this situation. A little extra room in the back seat, no blind spot and much cheaper price might have made me more willing to spend a few $'s to resolve the other problems (ditch the tires & some minor HP mods). Now, though, I have that been there, done that type of feeling.

You're correct about the other cars being more expensive but the Boxster was used (but in great condition - many people don't drive those things!) and was around the same price. Not a fair comparison but...

 

Well my MINI is....

1 Fast off the line its a 15 sec car stock. Never chirps unless the driver messes up

2 Gets 30+ ,pg on my commute and 1 mpg at the track and is rated one of the more econmical and fun track cars by Grassroots Motorsports so its not unique to just me.

3 Has room for a backseat and is safe so if it needs to at any point in the next 15 years can easily become and everyday family car (after 15 years I hope it can be a weekender) As well as being a car to keep my passengers safe

4 Big windows and huge sunroof I feel like I'm ina vert all summer long with the added safety and rigidty of a tin top

5 Loves to rev high but has the tq to cruise in low revs and get me really good hghway mpg, then can climb accelrate and top end more than enough to have fun at the track or get my out of a pinch

And thats why its for me and I'm keeping it. Sorry you've got a diffeent veiw, buh-bye

 

Sorry to here about yor dissapointment. With the whole car set thing, fully understandable, but you dont buy a Mini for the room

 

I am interested in getting a Gen 2 Convertable when they come out. A question though ...

Did you not know when you bought the car that the car was tiny? Did they word MINI give a hint (I am not trying to be facetious but trying to understand your buying decision?

The blind spot ... also noted many times, did you take a test drive and not see it?

Just curious

thank you

 

It's too bad you didn't go on more test drives, I think you would have found that the coupe was better suited to you. The 'vert simply has some inherent things (heavier, blind spot, less room) that you do not like that you could have easily avoided - a hard top with good tires and light wheels I think would have made you happier as it really remedies many of your issues.

 

Not being able to get off the line without chirping the tires might explain the 22-23 mpg.

 

Sometimes there just ain't no pleasing the peeps... I love my spanky new MINI, and yes I knew it was small by the name and by l@@king at it, no rocket science involved. I have had a SLK 230 (awesome, rest her fine soul) and a Z4 (not for me-next!). Tried the Boxster S but could not reach the clutch (I am 5'3) and was told by the salesguy to "put a pillow behind me." Not for $48K! Anyhoo, I digress...I am sure goldsbar's trash will be someone else's beloved treasure. When shall MINI be listed on eBay??? Or if traded in, pray do tell!, what for?

 

really? how come. a friend of mine has one and I think its sweet. i like my car better, but still..

 

Thanks for asking. I think I bought it in a moment of great bereftment after giving up my dream machine-the SLK 230-my childhood dream car translated into an adult toy. I loved that car and cried when I had to say goodbye. And I am not a cryer but that must have been my response to all buried deep within my psyche. A CAR-THARTIC release of Biblical proportions... ;o) Anyhoo, I did not know much about cars just what appealed to me on the visual level and on the zazzoo factor of driving around. Boomer, my Z4, was like a great rebound car but it was not meant to be long term. Love my X3-hapiness is mine! Z4-Uncomfy to sit in for long stretches and very low, more like a 40 year old guy car. Flashy, Sleek, not gracefully exited. I traded it in towards my soon to be husband's MAN TRUCK, one of those Chevy 2500 Allison Diesel GRRRRR haul this and haul that trucks. Great Silverado truck. I thought my days of must having a vert might be over till MINI made itself known to me and there was no going back. I got the right car for me at the right time with all the bells & whistles I could ever need. As per my name shows CRICKET is Hot Orange Metallic and will fit in well in Western NC when we move there imminently. Something about NASCAR??? I see a Z4 occasionally driving about and I have no regrets and hope that my old friend is making someone else as happy as this MINI makes me. There's a reason there is KAR in Karma, baby...Now is NIRVANA! Drive safely, drive happily and since it is me orange with checkers please wave. Nighty.

 

Give me a little credit, of course I knew the car was small when I bought it! Despite the obvious lack of leg room, it looked like the car seat would be a good fit. Otherwise, I agree that I didn't do enough diligence/test driving between the coupe & conv.

I have to admit that I'm starting to think about looking at one of the new coupes. The list of options for a fun car with car seat potential are relatively slim:

*WRX or WRX STI - very fast but econobox underpinnings. Plus, I've learned in the past the fast thing is only fun until you start getting tickets (or on a motorcycle - but the degree of danger goes up rapidly).

*Mustang or equivalent - I'd like to test drive one but have doubts about the fun factor

*3 Series - interesting but then I'm officially as close to 40 as I really am. Highest price of the bunch.

*Used 911 - I test drove one (996) and it really didn't do much for me. Must be something wrong with me but I was a much bigger fan of the Boxster. An older one might be cool but they're the same price as the 996's. Don't want to spend for a 997.

*??? - I'll take suggestions.

If I go for another Mini, I'll probably need to keep my crappo Forrester around in addition to my wife's car which is another downside. I guess trying to figure out the right car isn't the worst dilema in the world

 

I'm having 2nd thoughts myself ,I've had my 06 MCSca since Nov. and seeing the gas price go up and being I'm getting only 21mpg all around driving. The other thing is the heat... I live in So.Cal and summer is coming , I'm looking to have a lot of great night drives ,but the summer days at 100* temps are not too cool with the black top... the A/C unit in the MINI really sucks ...I'm all ready looking forwards to my next car... 08 MCS (stick shift) with white top and sunroof ..

 

Maybe a 'brid is in order???!!! Have yee all abandoned hope! Mini Owners stand tall, relatively-speaking, & proud-no regrets! ;o) Move it into the slow lane...