The Navigation Systyem is presently an option, but 50 years ago, when air-conditioning was introduced, it too was an option. Today, you can't buy a car without air-conditioning and sooner or later, as people use and become familiar with the navigation systems coming on the market, you won't be able to buy a car (or would even think of buying one, for that matter) without a nav system. I'm very familiar with nav systems, having used one for 15 years on a boat and for the past 3 years on a car (not a mini). Let me tell you, once to learn you can trust the system to get you where you want to go safely and quickly, you'll wonder how you ever lived without it. It literally opens up a whole new world of possibilities by letting you jump off the main road and explore different routes, all the while knowing you are never going to get lost. Shortcuts become simple and avoiding traffic jams becomes a snap. Plus, I like the way it looks in the Mini.

Mini S, Indie Blue, white roof, blue & mag interior, Premium, Sport and Cold Weather packages, Nav System, special "Atomic Blaster" horn...just kidding :smile:

 

Just like cell phones, right? Now people can't survive without them, chatting while they drive, shopping at the supermarket, trying on clothes in a store, in line at the post office, at a restaurant, at school, in a movie theater, EVRYWHERE! That is so sad I think. Good ole maps and directions from friends will do for me thanks. Besides, in a MINI it's fun if the drive takes you longer. Get lost on purpose some time and don't hurry to find your way home, you'll see.

 

>>Besides, in a MINI it's fun if the drive takes you longer. Get lost on purpose some time and don't hurry to find your way home, you'll see.

AMEN!! I've never owned a car where I tried to take the long ways anywhere. Now, with my MINI, I find myself going absolutely the longest routes possible just so I can have more time Motoring!! When I was young, my parents and I used to travel all during the summer in our motor home. My parents were firm believers in "if you take a turn off the main road, you might find something really great." I still believe in that...I am sooo glad I didn't get the GPS system. No offense to those who have it...its just not for "Dolly" and I.

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Proud owner of a Chili Red MINI Cooper, named "Dolly"...white wheels, barely-legal tinting, white roof, and a "MINI FREAK" tag on the front. MOTOR ON, BABY!!

 

Can anyone who has a navagation system on their MINI vouch for its accuracy? I really don't know ANYONE well who has one on any sort of car (so, using the A/C analogy, this must be about 1939 in terms of the growning popularity of these appliances). But what I do know is that I live in New England, and unless they're GPS based and have VERY good (updated and accurate) maps, these things are supposedly pretty much worthless up here. People using them on rental cars are always reporting getting lost.

My car isn't coming with one, but I'm just curious.

 

The nav system I have now (not on a Mini) is GPS based, as are just about all nav systems. I have used it in New England and it worked perfectly. These nav systems let you type in the address of your destination and then it will guide you either by showing a map with your route on it that you can zoom in or out on, or by giving you spoken directions on where to turn. They are accurate to within 5 feet.

Now, for you purists out there that eschew this convenience, are you sure that your reasons for not buying this option are not based on a fear of new technology rather than your expressed reasons? Are you gojng to opt out of the radio/cd player so you can hear the wind rustling through your hair? What about power steering and power brakes...just think how at "one with the road" you'll feel without those!

But, then again, if getting lost is your type of adventure, suit yourself. Suit yourself too if you want to be oblivious to the attractions near your route which are shown on your nav system. If driving around clueless is your cup of tea, I suggest you buy a large question mark and paste that on your roof instead of a flag.

 

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>>Now, for you purists out there that eschew this convenience, are you sure that your reasons for not buying this option are not based on a fear of new technology rather than your expressed reasons? Are you gojng to opt out of the radio/cd player so you can hear the wind rustling through your hair? What about power steering and power brakes...just think how at "one with the road" you'll feel without those!
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>>But, then again, if getting lost is your type of adventure, suit yourself. Suit yourself too if you want to be oblivious to the attractions near your route which are shown on your nav system. If driving around clueless is your cup of tea, I suggest you buy a large question mark and paste that on your roof instead of a flag.

OK, but is the MINI's nav system GPS based??

And, well as long as you mention it, there's something to be said about eschewing the radio/CD for the noise of the wind and (even better) the engine.

And.....gee, I hadn't thought about that question mark roof sticker, but I think it's kind of a cool idea. THANKS!

 

>>OK, but is the MINI's nav system GPS based??


Yes. The '02's used CD's for the maps; I'm told the '03's will use DVD's instead (more storage space for maps).
And (since the "selective availability" option on GPS was turned off several years ago), they are VERY accurate; to within 10-30 meters.

They're not for everyone, but I've used them for a long time & find them worthwhile for trips.

 

I travel almost every week due to the nature of my job, I make it a point to get a Hertz car with the Neverlost GPS system -magellan 750 unit- its invaluable when you are driving in unfamiliar territory, but isn't getting lost and finding a different route home part of the motoring experience besides I want to teach my kids the art of map reading.

 

I have the Nav system and I LOVE IT!! Especially the Computer that displays several MPG and Speed/time readouts all at once. The best thing aout the Nav system is you can see parks and attractions at a distance from the road that you would have never seen. I learned of a neat city park on the way home the other day. You can watch your driving from 250 yards to 50 miles.
the display looks better in person than in the broshures and the speedo works better with the tach behind the wheel...
Chas
Dallas, Texas


Confusion Will Be My Epitaph - Greg Lake (King Crimson)