Thanks to all the folks who understand. I Do agree with the "in your face" comment, I porbably could have been a whole lot more chill but my intnt wasnt to isnult anyone. Just a playfull challenge. I like to be given a good run for my money down back roads, and you all know how well the Mini sticks to the road, so maybe if I incited a few of you I could drum up a few good drives.
As for the Personality, I think the Civic Si lacks the refinement (I miss the auto level headlights) but in raw power and a great sound the Si keeps up with the Cooper. I'm not making any judgement on the cars, I enjoy both, but you guys are right, I get far fewer looks in the Si than the Cooper.

 

just put a huge wing on it and you'll get more looks.

 

My MINI is 4.5 years old, and has basically been trouble free...it will be in our family forever. Only one problem with the fuel gauge, but they gave me a loaner for a week. Outside of that, not one problem at all, and that is a 2003 model

Sorry your 10 days of ownership were so difficult, sounds like you ended up with a car that had not been maintained well for a 5 year old. Maybe you should have had it fully inspected before purchase and gotten a warranty on it?...even if you bought it from the dealer. Sounds like they pushed you into a car that was in need of a lot of service. I hope you got your money back on it. Always good to pay for an independent inspection, they could have checked the belts to see if they were damaged, etc. Or you could have inspected that on your own. Used cars are a gamble, no matter how you look at it.

 

Don't forget the 20" Spinners!

 

I have to admit I'm one of the Honda hi-rev engine fans. I still miss my B18C5 engine, every now and then.

But, I don't like Civic, because no matter what it is or how it looks, it's just a Civic. Got no soul.

 

Maxi, come listen to the F1 sound of my Civic, it has a shred of soul. But it's personality is a little flat...always regular and never quirky.

 

If you really read it you will see that he snapped the serp belt(it's not a silent thing that you don't notice) then continued to drive and "overheated it to an extreme".

I would hardly call that a problem with the mini... seems to be on the other end of the stick.

 

Why are you directing your comment in my direction? Non-Sequiteur.

 

yes and no, I was agreeing with your point and adding to it

 

I'm guessing you'll need to twist 12,000 RPM higher than redline to get an F1 sound out of your Si.

 

Ah!

 

I admire the engine, but I don't like Civic. Because it is a Civic.
Integra is fine, RSX is fine, TSX is fine, Prelude is fine, not the Civic.

 

I agree, Civic is kinda bland on style. On the plus side not to many of them in my area, on the other hand there has been a Cooper explosion. I guess the 2nd Gen. is winning hearts and minds.

 

we traded a dying grand prix toward a new 05 civic ex 5 speed.

we had it a year. it was roomy and provided decent mileage. we took it in for three warranty issues (leaky windshield, instrument cluster failure, airbag light). found the breaks like pushing a pedal into oatmeal, steering light as a feather, and handling...well, not comment.

after a year, the spouse wanted a MC. so we traded. love the cooper. sure its small, and its a euro car with all the reliability issues that come with them, but it is good looking and fun every time...

i guess life is too short to drive unfun cars?

enjoy!

 

Should have gotten the Si, funny though my airbag light came on and went off. I think i must have EMP field or something. The Mini had an airbag problem.

 

Those of us that are "older" are very familiar with the quirkiness of British cars, like the MG Midgets, MGBs, Triumphs and Jags. We grew up when almost every car had issues, most of which we could fix ouselves after a trip to the local parts store. The intorduction of the Honda cars started the US automakers on a road to better reliability. My Dad purchased a new Honda Civic when they came out. It was as small as the MINI or smaller. It was built like a tank!

That being said, we are more aware of MINI issues because the internet provides us a platform for sharing. This can be a huge advantage because we know what might go wrong and can keep an eye on it.

When we go to the dealer we know what to tell them is wrong, and probably how to repair it! Those of us that are mechanically inclined have a huge source of information to pull from.

MINIs are MINIs. I hope the initial poster finds another car that suits them better. I accept my MINI with all it's short comings. It always puts a smile on my face , no matter how bad the day has been.

 

Ugh, don't say MG. I helped restore a '72 roadster and have rescued my friend in his '71 Midget more times than I have fingers or toes. I do miss when cars were simple enough to work on and diagnos wothout hundreds of dollars in specialty tools.

My first car was a '69 Cadillac DeVille convertible. That was a great car to learn on, but didn't prepare me for the Mini i guess.

 

Welcome to the world of european cars. from a technological and engineering standpoint, they're great, but have always been ones in need of constant maintenance and care. I think this is part of why these cars have appealed to so many for so long. They are beautiful, fun to drive and require as much care as a pet or sometimes a child.
I am speaking about all brands not just the MINI or BMW. I have owned many makes and this has applied to each in some varying degree.
If you are looking for a car that requires nothing, you've made the right choice with the Honda. My wife drives an '07 Civic and she loves it.
I love the fact that her Civic requires almost no attention from me so I can spend more time with my MINI.
Cars are machines, they all break down, and as far as I know Jesus did not decend from the heaven to build any of them.

 

Thats a shame, a JC (Jesus Christ) Works Mini would have been sweet.

 

I would just like to say that a MINI is like a day on the beach. So much fun, but when it's time to maintain, you feel the burn. Life is short, and I'm willing to pay the premium. Just my opinion. I sold my Audi when it started to cost me too much, so I understand completely. Everyone draws their lines in different places.