acura tl

 

Look who is worst than VW these days.

 

wow a cooper convertible 'TURBO'...

 

what a review!

 

IMO the Subaru Impreza STI could be a good choice.

 

A used '05 STi would be right in your price range. However we have a MCSc and the STi. The kids 4 and 9 get in and out of both just as easily. So long as both parents are not 6'+ the MINI will work just fine for the kids.

I have more fun using the MINI's potential more of the time. You have to be very careful w/ the STi as the acceleration will get you in trouble in a hurry.

FWIW, I am looking at 07/8/9 JCW as a possible replacement of the STi.

 

If really on a budget... a Honda (boos from the peanut gallery ) Civic that's stock, or an Accord. VW needs help.

 

The new civic's do have very quick steering response. . And the driver's seat is very comfy.

 

No thanks on the Honda-yes I know that every review loves them but I find them souless and the only two real major car problems I've ever had were with Honda's.

 

souless? whats soulfull about the new mini?

 

perhaps a Neon is more for you then...

 

you talking about the R53 or the R56?

 

I'm interested in the R53, not the R56. I like the original better and if I can;t get a left over 06 right now I'll be able to find a lightly used 05 or 06 and save some money. Maybe souless is a little harsh on Honda-they do make great cars and there is a ton of things that can be done with them but I've had several and they just feel a little numb to me. No offence to Honda fans and I am sure if I had spent some money and modded the Honda's I had I am sure they would have been more fun but the R53 comes with a ton of fun and "soul" standard which is why I am here. I have enjoyed an Acura or two (integra GS) but have never owned one-that car had a lot more personality. Honda sells a ton of cars and they have a great appeal to those that want a good car that they don't have to worry about and there are a lot more people that just want to use their car as a way to get to work,etc. So Honda has to make a car to satisfy that market, Mini is aimed at an enthusiast group so they can make their cars to appeal to us so it makes sence that Honda's are not as "fun" as a Mini. My wife is currently driving the Odyssey and it is loaded but I see too much cost cutting in the van for what it cost. I really like the attention to detail Mini paid to the R50 and R53. Everything has a nice feel and function that is not always found in a lower price car. The Honda dealer here is not a place I want to visit either-some real cheezy sales people there.(seems like most of the dealers here are that way). The Mini dealers are not close but I'm willing to travel to get what I want.

 

Hondas are the brady boy of cars. They go through life always doing what they should, never causing trouble and, sadly, never really living. As for the MINI, old or new, it's soul is only revealed to those who warrant it.

 

and here we go again... over and over.

 

that's funny.

 

Which M5? The only ones that you can get in for 20k-ish are E28s I think.

 

absolutely.

 

Sorry gang, I didn't mean to open a can of worms on the Honda thing! To offense was intended to anyone who likes Honda's, I am just looking for something different and that something is a MCS but on the chance it doesn't work out with my family I wanted some ideas of where to look next.

 

For what it's worth, since you haven't had a test-drive opportunity yet...accessing the MINI back seats is a piece of cake for a car this small.

Compared to my friend's '05 GTI it's no contest...when you bring up the GTI seats they have a tendency to slip way back and crush the legs of the passenger in the back seat. In the MINI, they return to right where they were before you folded them forward - no crushed knees. Maybe the new GTIs have fixed this, but that's just one example. I test-drove a lot of cars before choosing the MINI, and the MINI had one of the most accessible back seats I found. So don't worry too much...your daughter will be fine back there.

For a fun 4-door, I second the recommendation for a used 3 series. A certified pre-owned BMW will get you a good warranty, and a great car with excellent handling and performance. I came very close to buying a used M3 ragtop before settling on the MCS cabrio instead. Best decision I ever made, but it was a close one.

 

For me it would be a 5 door GTI or a Mazda 3 S. The new hatchback WRX is growing on me. I do love AWD & besides you can't see the ugly grille when you are behind the wheel.

 

Well, my Dad is no big guy, which is why he can get stuck being in the backseat, and when he visits it really can be quite a pain in the butt getting him in and out from there. Actually, now that I think of it, when have I ended up in the back seat of a Mini I have not found getting in and out very comfortable myself (and it does require ideally that the door can open pretty wide, which is not always easy), and the leg room even for my 5'1" self has been wanting - so in all honesty if I knew I'd have backseat passengers a lot I would prefer 4 doors.

Oh, and RE; CPO BMWs, be veeerrry careful, I've known of people getting cars that have been in accidents with issues/headaches - the BMW side of the inspection for CPO seems to be wanting..

 

or just put painter's tape and pretend you're going cross country.

 

the backseat sucks in the mini. the front seats have to be so far forward just to fit the calves of the person. if you are are larger than a toddler it is no fun. luckily i've only ridden in the back once.
i was talking about the R53, i think for a car to have soul it has to accomplish something...

 

sounds like you need to get yourself a tank.