Hi all,

I've been in a MINI for the last four years but yesterday I decided to move on. My r50 I had from 2009-2011 and my r56 MCS I had from 2011-yesterday. It's been a good four years but continuous reliability issues in my MCS along with a potential house in the near future made me want to get something a bit more reliable (while sacrificing a bit of fun and features).

Here are some pics:




If you're in western MA and see a white Si wave to you in your MINI, that'll be me. Perhaps in the future I'll be back, as I know someone who recently switched to an audi A4 and said they miss the MINI very much.

Motor on.

 

Well good luck with the run of the mill Honda with no distinct personality.
You will be back.

 

And this is why we need "like" buttons in here!

 

There is on the bottom of the post. LOL

 

haha I knew I was asking for a hard time. Wouldn't expect any less!

In total honesty, the Si (with D2 coilovers) handles very similarly, though not as harsh, to how my MINI did with sport suspension. Yes, I do miss the character of the MINI and I really grew fond of all the quirkiness with the window switches and different ergonomics (plus heated seats, pan. sunroof, navigation, etc.). Someday I may be back when I am not as worried about finances. My monthly payments are pretty much the same but now I have a warranty and 'Honda reliability'...whatever that may mean to you.

Do I still get to wave and go on MINI runs??

 

Traders and wannab's are always welcome. LMAO

 

My first Mini I sold it and said never again. I am on #2 and saying never again. lol I just do not have time for quirks right now. But if my dealership or area would have the All British Drive to the Three Sisters every weekend. This car wouldn't even be for sale. I just don't drive it enough...

 

I traded my first R53 in for a brand new honda civic in 2009... sold the civic and have had two more minis since then. Right now I am mini-less (traded in for a baby). You will be back!

 

I had a Dyno Blue 09 Civic Si - loved it - sold it for a Boxster - then an S - now a JCW

I will be getting a new Si sometime - tired of the Mini issues - constant recalls - power windows wont roll up - yada yada

I love Taffeta White - clean - great choice!

Enjoy the Si

And the new Si has Pandora Bluetooth integration!

 

Good luck with the Civic! I hope that you have better luck with yours than my family has had with ours. We had to replace the entire engine in our '01 Civic a few years ago and now we're only keeping it until my sister goes off to college. My parents are currently debating whether to sell it or push it off a cliff. Our family can't wait to be rid of that car. Anyway, I have a lot of friends that have Civics, and my grandparents have an Si as well, and they all love their Civics!

You will always be welcome on the MINI forum!

 

Thanks for the upbeat responses all! I'm definitely enjoying the Si thus far and the transmission is amazing. Such precise throws.

This forum is LEAGUES better than any civic forum though. I will definitely still be hanging out on here and checking up on things.

Masternut - it's good to hear that you loved your Si and will be back in one someday. Makes me feel better about my decision.

Jessicaledw - I see you're from Boston. I hope that you've been safe and well throughout this past week.

 

Thanks! I'm alive and well. The FBI, Boston PD, and all of the other law enforcement agencies involved have done a fantastic job over the past two weeks. I think that my commute has been the safest it has ever been and will ever be thanks to those men and women.

Any pics of the interior? I looked at a Civic coupe before I bought my MINI and I was torn on the interior of the 2009 Civic. I finally saw one of the new Civic coupes in person today and it's a really sharp looking car. I'm still not a fan of the redesigned sedan but the coupe looks great!

 

I agree 100%. Everyone involved in the investigation and process in Boston did a phenomenal job. I was there the day before the bombings happened but I was long gone before the marathon started.

As for the interior pics of the coupe, I can certainly take a few. At first I wasn't terribly crazy about the interior but I love it now. The ergonomics are great, and I hate to say it, but I think the car is faster than my MCS was... even with an Accessport tune (I know I'm going to hear back about this comment ). The interior is a step up from the 2009 model you saw, though definitely similar. One thing that surprised me is that the seating position is actually lower than it was in my MINI.

I'll try to post some pictures up this evening when I get home from work.

 

Here are some interior pics as promised. I took some with my phone earlier but they didn't turn out that well. These are just off of google.

 

I would miss the culture and constant comments from other drivers about my Mini. I would also miss NAM. Afterall, here you are looking for approval on the Mini site of owning a Honda. If you visit the Honda sight they would probably welcome you with open arms. It will be hard to leave.

 

love the SI! I am actually considering doing the same thing... I have only had my r56 for a little over a year now and I am thinking about jumping ship. the reliability stories on this site frighten me, and I came from owning a SAAB for 6 years...

 

I just traded my JCW for a Taffy White Si today. No money down and $255 a month for 15K miles a year. I will miss the JCW - but it was in the shop for 3 out of the last 4 weeks.

Honda's run forever without issue!

 

Glad you jumped ship with me, and you copied my color! I'm not sure if you ever check out NAM anymore, but how would you compare the new Si's with MINIs? I'm genuinely curious to get your opinion too.

One thing that I can say is that my MINI was way more comfortable on snow...granted it had blizzaks mounted. I'm on performance all-seasons with the Si and my experience in the snow thus far hasn't been so great....though I have made it to and from work safely which is what matters I suppose.

 

I totally did the opposite this past September. I'm liking the acceleration of the mini because of the way max torque is available so low in the rpm range.
Though the reliability issues makes me wonder if I made a mistake jumping into a mini lol.

 

But here's the question: Do you miss VTEC and the sound of the k-series engine?

 

I'm on my second MINI, zero problems with both.

 

I'm on my third. Zero problems as well.

 

I'm happy for you both!! Hopefully you continue to have good luck into the future. If you have a 'justa' then I imagine that you will. If you have an n14, I'm not so sure.

 

Have a N14 - zero problems.

 

Man I thought those redlined a lot higher. Enjoy your civic!