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I bought Bean because of my impending 124 mile a day trek to and from work and wanted something that got good gas mileage, had some personality and was fun to drive and the Mini ticked all those boxes.
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I have always been a V8 guy. In my garage is a 91 Corvette, 87 Monte SS, and a 65 Malibu SS. At the time I bought this mini I was driving an 04 Caddy CTS-V and a supercharged 06 Saturn Ion Redline. I got T-boned with the Saturn and I needed to find a replacement. My wife could not drive stick, so I needed to find something automatic, good on gas, and something I would even want to drive. In came the thought for a Mini. Found this one and discovered that I loved driving it. Sold the Caddy, and began my modifications and personalized touches. I bought this with 37000 miles and I hit 209000 miles yesterday. I simply love this car and will keep it as long as I can!
I have always wanted one. I really want a classic Mini, but they are so far outside my price range that I no longer consider them a possibility. A VTEC Mini is still tied for #1 on my bucket list, along side a SR20DET Datsun PL510. So why did I buy one now? Well, I previously could not justify it because it wouldn't pizza. The lack or reliability, expensive parts and need for premium gas meant that it would not be a good delivery vehicle. However, I recently exited the pizza business and was about to graduate college and to celebrate freedom from my 20+ years of pizza servitude I decided to get a commuter car I would want. I came up with a short list of cars I liked like the Honda Element, Scion XB and MINI and narrowed it down to the MINI after about 30 seconds of consideration. Back when BMW first brought the MINI brand back to the US, I had spec'd one out in color and options, so I wanted to find a similar car. I did my research and found that the 2005 and 2006 cars were the ones to get, and then I found this one. Low miles, lost of recent new parts, and the perfect color combination, along with the exact wheels I had wanted. The only thing different was that I had wanted a black with blue insert interior, and this one is Cordoba Beige (a better color for Florida anyhow!). It was broken but completely rust and accident free with original paint (needed a clutch at a minimum). I got it for $1900 and put it aside until I had finished my last semester. I finally got to drive it this week and although it is not completely back together (it's missing the fender liners so I can check for leaks during shakedown) and still needs some work, it's good enough to drive. It makes me feel happy to drive it and I love to look at it, so what more could I ask for? 2005 R50 Mini Cooper in Hyper Blue and White
Hi Nam Members,
Great Question, given the fact that I knew a Gen 1 Mini had a few problem areas.
As a young kid I liked small cars and I always remember hearing my Dad say buy a big car, Nope.
I did my research and found a like new 06 Mini Cooper S with 18,000 miles.
Not too many miles on it currently ( 42,000 ) as I don't like taking it for short trips; no winter snow driving either.
I've done a few upgrades and I think its just great.
My wife hates it and says it a girls car but I don't think so, given its history.
Upright seating: I wanted something small, light, sporty and fun that you sit in more upright. It was a second car and I didn't want a used Porsche boxster where the seating was so low slung. Years ago I had a 1993 Corvette. You always felt like climbing down into it. I've since upgraded from my used 2008 Mini Cooper S rattlebucket to a 2019 JCW and there are too many thing to list that I've grown to like about MINI's now.
I was driving my 06 F150 Crew Cab 4x4 on my daily round trip commute of about 100 miles 5 days a week, then probably another 100 miles on the weekend on average. So I was looking at getting something newer and more economical. I also wanted something at a price range I could pay off in a year comfortably to help build up my credit. The Mini looked like the most fun car and best value on Carvana in my budget and fuel economy requirements; plus it was loaded with every option except comfort access and leather. Watched some YouTube videos and did some reading about the reliability. Decided I would give it a shot and ordered. I really like the car so far, it’s very fun and better fuel economy then expected. I only put a few hundred miles on my truck since I bought the Mini, mostly because it’s fun and and it holds way more then what you would think.
Everything about the Mini is just plain cool! The looks, both outside and in, the handling, the gas mileage, the price, the ability to mod them, the sound of the turbo..... everything!
What made me choose a mini? I like small cars. I like a manual/standard transmission, I like cute. We don't like to spend a lot. I loved my 2000 Audi TT but it was about to get expensive AND I needed a little more space- with the puperoo there are 3 of us, the audi wasn't quite meeting our needs.
Because of my requirements my choices in Canada are really poor. Luckily I like the look and feel of a mini. I got the clubman, wanted an S but their too much money. I'm happy with my Coco.
Wanted a fun car. I had been driving a Nissan Versa for a couple of years (needed a car in a hurry and it was cheap).
Didn't really want a convertable - Looked at a Miata but really wanted more room.
I am a golfer and need to be able to carry my clubs with relative ease.
Didn't really want something with a big engine. I've had Vettes, small Porsche, MGs, Triumph, several Mustangs
Wanted a manual transmission - hard to find anymore
Wanted the latest technology.
Price was a consideration. It's really my toy so didn't want to break the bank for something.
We have a larger family car so comfort and seating space aren't really an issue.
Do wish there was a little better dealer network. My closest dealer is over 25 miles away.
Have thoughts of doing some Track Days so wanted something that checked that box.
I'll have to say the Mini is much more luxury oriented than I expected.
Mine has heated seats, upgraded sound system and several other extras
Didn't really want a sun roof but it seems to work fine and at city speeds is quiet.
Could have done without the 93 octane gas requirement. Not that I really bought it to save money.
Had it about a month and have enjoyed every minute that I've driven. I even look for reasons just to go for a drive.
The original BMW MINI ethos. Small, no-frills, lightweight, fun car that had a kick-*** design philosophy and was customization-friendly with an active aftermarket. I've had my car since new and you'll have to pry my cold fingers off the steering wheel. I've had a lot of cars. None have ever been keepers like a gen 1 s/c R53 is. Won't buy another MINI product either. That ethos is long gone.
Always been a muscle car guy…but thought I’d possible get a 3 series BMW for fun….came across an 05 JCW in an add (listed under BMW)…and it looked so good in pictures I was curious…as it had it, the car was stored just around the corner from where I work….So I test drove it ….even as I drove several other BMWs, I kept thinking how much I enjoyed driving the MINI….5 years later It’s still in my garage alongside an 06 JCW…Now searching for a GP2!
I’ve always owned large American cars: Chrysler 300s, Dodge Challengers, Jeep Grand Cherokees and Wranglers. Love the power, the size, the comfort.
Every now and then I’d add a small roadster: a 2001 Miata (slow), a 2006 S2000 (loud).
When Mazda introduced the ND I took it out for a test drive. I wanted to love the car but I just couldn’t bring myself to pulling the trigger; there was something missing. Then one day I took out the new Fiat 124 Spider for a spin and fell in love with it: the exotic Italian design, the turbo kick, the perfectly tuned suspension, the awesome exhaust sound.
I’ve owned the Fiat for 40 months now and am still in love with the car as the day I got it. There’s nothing like dropping the top on a sunny day and hitting a local mountain road.
My other vehicle is a lifted 2018 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara on 35-inch tires. I love Jeeps; this one is a beast on the trails. But Jeeps have become too pretty and expensive to get them all scratched and banged up. So it’s become a bit of a mall crawler. I absolutely love my Jeep. Problem is, it gets 13 MPG around town and 15-17 MPG on the freeway. At $5.50/gallon, that’s tough to swallow as a grocery getter.
The Spider got me into Abarths. I’ve been looking at Fiat 500 Abarths; love those things. But they are too small to serve as a daily driver.
Next thing I know I am looking at Minis. For the past two months I’ve been test driving and watching every video I can find on Coopers and Clubmans.
Last week I finally placed an order on a 2023 JCW: Iconic, White Silver, Red roof, mirrors and stripes. This will be my first Mini. Dealer says it’ll be 6-9 months until it arrives.
PS - Many years ago, in the 1980s, a high school buddy got a —green— 1970 Mini Clubman; I still remember how amazed we were that four large teens could actually fit in it.
03-09-2019, 08:42 AM
