I too am passionate about what I drive. From my first car, an MGA (still one of the best looking vehicles ever produced, IMO), through my current MCS, I've had vehicles that had "personality".
I lived a number of years in Europe, and so was familiar with the original Mini Cooper. I even looked into buying a new one in 1998. I was well aware that BMW was planning an replacement, and as I was getting a little tired of my GTI, when AutoWeek produced the New MINI on its cover sometime in 2000, I was instantly hooked, gobsmacked, twitterpatted, etc. I had to have one. Long story short, I got my MCS last Oct. Been smilin' ever since.

 

Mini_Street_Racer - how many hours in a shift? I'm going to start a healthcare professionals thread over in OT...

 

I like the MINI for its looks, handling, size, and price.

It is the first car since my 86 Honda CRX (bought new and traded in a year ago for the MINI) that has "spoken" to me. I knew from the first pictures in the auto magazines that I had to have one.

I was going to wait for the second model year, but a friend arranged a test drive for me in mid-april 2002, and I wound up ordering a car two weeks later (still absolutely no regrests).

I was also able to justify the purchase by the need to have a second car that can carry our two children, which it does quite well.

I fully intend to keep this thing for a long long time.

 

I too was very familiar with the original Mini but it seemed to me that it was impractical as a daily driver in Southern California. I have had Datsun Roadsters, Mustang Convertible (65) and many other unique and stylish cars. When I first heard that BMW was going to redesign and release a new version, it really peaked my interest. I knew that for BMW, this was going to be a FUN project. Imagine the engineers when they were selected to work on this project! What a gas that must have been for them. I knew that I wanted one at that time but it wasn't until I actually drove one that my mind was made up. I have driven it every day since I got it in November and I still have that special feel whenever I start it up! Plus, it looks so damn cool!!!

 

>>
>>I have been driving a 3 series for almost 10 years now, and trust me, MINIs definitely have BMW's quality and reliability. What I mean is that I would not expect the 3 series to be more reliable than the MINI. I also follow BMW 3 series boards. I have gotten into the habit of making note of every problem other people have had with their car. It has been proven again and again that sooner or later, I will see the same problem in my car.
>>

>>
>>I don't mean to ruin your enthusiams for your 3 series, but I just want to give you a fair warning of what you are getting into. Buying both BMWs and MINIs, you have to realize they are not going to be perfectly reliable, but I still want to stay with the brand despite all the problems because they are so much fun to drive. The purchase decision is yours, but don't be surprised when you realize your M3 is not very reliable either. Buy it because it is fun to drive and it is what you want; don't buy it because you think it will be more reliable.>>


I have had at least one BMW in my garage now for the past 32 years; my wife currently drives an X5. I have NEVER had to call and have ANY of the numerous BMW’s towed to the dealership like I had to do last night for my MCS. It’s at the dealership right now to address an electrical problem that started yesterday. I don’t expect the M3 to be perfect, but at least I have my choice of five dealers in the county to take it to, not just one. And with the BMW I am supplied a service loaner, with the MINI, not!

>>
>>
>>
>>I can afford an M3 and an M5 but the MINI was nicer
>>

I had a 2001 M5 and the two cars are not even in the same league. To say the MINI is a nicer car is laughable.

 

The first day I sat in a MC was the day I took delivery- after a four and a half month wait from ordering. I had no first hand knowledge of how the car handled, comfort level, etc., nothing. My dealer is local, the issue was not one of being too remote, or his unwillingness to conduct a test drive. I just didn't care about any of those issues, not to the point where they would have influenced my decision.

 

I bought mine for a few different reasons.First, I usually drive bmw's for my daily drivers, but I can't afford new ones, and was tired of fixing old ones.And I love small cars.I loved my old mr2, but couldn't bear to drive it for more than an hour because it was so loud.I also like cars that I don't see every day.This is also why I have a restored toyota fj40 instead of a jeep for a toy.So the cooper s is faster than my old 325i was, and is as nimble and actually handles better than my mr2 did.It also has leather and auto climate control like my old bmw.The only thing I miss is a larger fuel tank.It gets great mileage, but it seems i'm putting gas in it every 3 days instead of every 5 like my bmw.But it's better than the 12mpg highway my fj40 gets.

 

I wanted a classic Mini from the first time I saw them in London in 1993. Then I spent 5 months there and got to see lots of Minis and go to a dealer. I knew they wouldn't make a great daily driver, so when I heard that there would be a new MINI sold in the US, I knew I had to have one.

I bought the MINI DESPITE it being a BMW. I have never liked BMWs in the past, one reason being their designs look so dated after just a few years. An old Mercedes still looks elegant and posh. An old BMW looks, well, like a Nissan. If BMW thinks my MINI is a stepping-stone to a 3-Series, they are dead wrong. I do thank BMW for saving the brand, no telling what Rover was going to do to it.

Buying a MINI is also a RATIONAL decision. Do you think Sir Alec was being anything other than rational when he designed the original Mini? I like have a small car that seats four when necessary and will hold groceries and even large items with the seats down. It has everything I want in a car and not a bit more.

A bonus is the insurance rating, not being classed as a sports car.

Now, to sell my perfectly reliable 1998 Toyota Tacoma so I can buy a classic Mini...

James

 

Love at First sight, saw a yellow MC in a magazine. Although yellow is not my favorite color, I fell in love. It's the very first time in my long life that I saw a car that got me excited just by the looks. I've had many cars, but all they meant to me was getting from point A to B. Called the closest dealer, told him what I wanted and picked up the 02 MC BRG/B two days later.

 

Its different: I'm not looking for a lot of attention, but I don't want to drive another mini-van or 4WD monster, like all the other sheep. When I *did* have to haul kids around, I got a *nice* station wagon. It wasn't fun, but if did what was needed and was, at least, a little different.

Its fun: I knew that the original Mini was a fun car, and always had an interest in owning one "someday," but I didn't know *how much* fun the new MINI would be! Now that the kids are raised, the MINI is just for the wife and I, and we love it.

Its practical: Well, compared to my Indruder 1500. My wife says its safer (two additional wheels), it gets about the same gas milage, and I can carry more stuff, its about as fast and actually more fun through the twisties (the Intruder's not a twisty-road bike), and its more comfortable for touring.

 

It was a psychic/intuitive thing for me. I was browsing car sites, looking for a new vehicle when I saw a thumbnail sized picture of a CR/W MC. Before I even clicked on, I KNEW that would be the car I would buy. Test drove one the following day and put my deposit down one day after that. When I pulled into the dealership, I remember my first good look at a MINI. Love at first sight, instant karma, whatever... I was hooked.

My appreciation for the MINI came while I awaited delivery. The community, the mods, the learning about these cars, all this was a bonus.

I have no regrets. Even with the legal crap from BMW recently, I still cannot help but lovelovelove this car.

 

First time I saw a MINI was on the road. I thought it was so cute. I don't have a lot of money. My current cars are a 1993 Isuzu Rodeo 4WD which belongs to my wife, and she is such a sweetheart to put it up for sale so I can replace it with my 2003 MC. Also a 1993 Lexus LS 400 which I recently bought from my Dad, prior to that was a 1991 Acura Integra.

Car purchases are a huge deal, and I don't like to owe money, so cash it's always been, but that means, I gotta wait a looooooooooooong time.

I used to want a Lotus Elise (though I knew they weren't available in the States), and an Audi TT. At one point the Lexus IS300. But the MINI, completely captured my attention. I've never been so "gah gah eyed" over anything in my life. I told myself, that by next year, I'd find a way to buy a MINI Cooper. My wife was initially completely against the idea of me getting a MINI. She has always enjoyed larger cars (remember it's her SUV), and in her mind was a "downgrade". From the belief as you get older you, buy more expensive, more luxurious cars as you can afford it.

The MINI just took my breath away. I bought every magazine I could find, I searched the NET for days finding all press releases and articles from both the UK and USA. I downloaded pictures, and visited the dealership--to look.

OMG, it was soooooooooo cool. Actually I visited 3 dealer ships. My wife went with me. The bug didn't bite her, but she gradually loosened up to the idea of a MINI. She's a designer and appreciates nice stuff! This car was certainly appealing to us, but the size freaked her out. It couldn't be safe, it's not practical, it'd be perfect if you were in college, it's not the right size since we're starting a family, your cousin's wife sold her new VW bug because she almost dropped her newborn when folding down the back seat.... and on and on about why the MINI wasn't right for us.

This obsession only grew, and I researched every day to find answers to these concerns. At one point I got the nerve to talk to a dealer about price, and that's when I suffered sticker shock---inflated prices of $1,500 - $6,000 above sticker and 4 - 12 month wait times. OUCH.

I should have been convincing my wife a year earlier!!! LOL

One day she agreed to me renting an MC for a day from Budget Rent a Car in Beverly Hills (actually in Marina Del Rey). She figured that I'd rent it, see it was no big deal, and get tired of talking about it. Instead she just "fueled the fire!".

To make a long story short, the rental company messed up (was previously rented out), and I complained and got the car for a whole week. That was an incredible week. It was very hard limiting my daily miles to 50 miles a day. In fact, one day I drove 150 miles, and had to limit my drive the last 2 days!

So now it's 3 different dealers later, I'm a week away from picking up my MC. Instead of paying $1,500 over sticker to a dealer with a lousy surcharge, I decided I'd rather spend that by buying it out of state and driving back to CA, making it a nice road trip vacation with the wife (I ordered on 6/25).

So to answer your question? WHY?

Because the MINI speaks in a language I understand. It looks cool, feels great, and I feel like a celebrity when I drive. I feel like I'm making a statement to the world. When my week was over, I felt invisible again, driving my regular car. When I see people in MINI's, I want to wave, but it does no good right now! They don't know I'm soon to be a MINI owner too. I love the MINI community. I love how the MINI is marketed. I love the uniqueness. I love my wife.

It brings joy and happiness to me. Yes for crying out loud, it's a fricken car, as my wife would say. But it's a NICE car that makes me happy, and that's important to me!

 

I like to be passionate about my car too, but rarely am due to looks alone and there hasn't been much to be passionate about for the last five years or so (with 4 seats anyway). I demand performance!!! I've test driven every hatchback/coupe under 30k with 4 seats and the MINI beat them all. I almost didn't even try it because of a bias against Bimmers. Thought of getting the WRX wagon and putting flames on it. Thought of ruining my budget with the G35 coupe. All were an annoying compromise one way or the other.

With the Mini I'll be getting way more happy feelings and if it has to visit the dealership now and again so be it. I'd rather have a fun car with a few problems than a boring Lexus. And when my money situation improves, so will my horsepower! Wooooo hoooooo!

 

In short I bought my ex her Mini as a Valentines present because she fell in love with it, then I fell in love with it as well, and since we sepperated I needed to own one of my very own.

Oh, and all you Miniacs helped get me all riled up

 

>>Good question. Heard they drove and handled well, and they do. Thought they would have BMW’s quality and reliability, mine didn’t. My MCS will be replaced in October with an ordered BMW M3.

Mine was replaced with an Evo VIII after six months. I'm not willing to put up with "unfixable but normal" stumble, yo-yo, etc. :evil: At least I got high value for a used MCS. I'm not sure how long that will last.
Bluesmaster

 

>>
>>Mine was replaced with an Evo VIII after six months. I'm not willing to put up with "unfixable but normal" stumble, yo-yo, etc. :evil: At least I got high value for a used MCS. I'm not sure how long that will last.
>>Bluesmaster

My MCS became inoperable last Thursday and had to be towed to the nearest dealer. They won’t even get the parts necessary to facilitate repairs until next Wednesday or Thursday. I hope to have the car back before the start of the Labor Day Weekend. This car has required more unscheduled dealer visits in 4 months and 6,000 miles then any car I have ever had. I never keep cars past the factory warranty, so I look at a car as a 2 to 3 year relationship and then I get a new one. The MCS will be a short relationship as it has been one problem after another and I haven’t even had the “normal” problems reported on this very forum like stumble, yo-yo, hard start, windshield or coolant bottle leak but I don’t plan on waiting around for them to happen either. I must say the MCS is a very fun car to drive, one of the best in that department. It is a lot of bang for the buck. But its overall quality and reliability has been a big disappointment to me.

 

I didn't get the MCS for performance because it really is a slow little car although it handles pretty well. I got the car because it is just fun. It is probably the most fun car there is. Fun to look at, fun to drive, fun to modify. Just pure fun.

 

>>I didn't get the MCS for performance because it really is a slow little car although it handles pretty well. I got the car because it is just fun. It is probably the most fun car there is. Fun to look at, fun to drive, fun to modify. Just pure fun. And I think the performance is actually darn good and the handling is great.

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2003 Chili Red/White MCS, sport pack w/white wheels, cold weather pack, black leather w/anthracite dash, DVD-based Navigation w/OBC, HK sound, MFSW, PDC, rain sensing wipers & auto dim mirror.

 

Well I would agree. Thankfully my Mini has never had any problems. It is too bad your Mini was a lemon.

 

Every car I've ever bought is because I "have to have that car"


RaceCarDriver

 

Where did you rent the MCS? I would love to rent one until mine arrives next month.

RaceCarDriver

 

>>My MCS will be replaced in October with an ordered BMW M3.

I going the opposite route. My 2003 M3 was stolen and now I ordered an MCS. The M3 is an awesome car, but it is an EXTREME car, 100% sports car. I owned a 3 series before moving up the M3 and they are totally different. If you're looking for a car to autocross (which I did) or race on the weekends (after you modify the wheel alignment and suspension to dial out the heavy understeer of the M3) then the M3 is for you. I drove mine as a daily driver at first, but most people don't because the ride is soooooooooo stiff. I race corvettes and I thought the M3's ride was harsh. The M3 is great track car but not so great for street use. Once I got my Z06 the M3 sat in my garage. Then I only drove it only in the rain (vettes suck in the rain). Then I drove the M3 to work and someone stole it. Now that it's gone I realize that I need a car that I can drive everyday and park somewhere and not worry about it getting stolen etc. The M3 atracks too much attention... the wrong kind of attention....the cops, they follow you to looking to give you a ticket and theives. The M3 is a beautiful car though, I think it's one of the best looking cars I've ever seen. I can afford another M3 but I'd rather have an MCS. I'll buy the next generation M3 which will have an eight cylinder engine.

What I love about the MCS is that is so fun to drive. It handles great, looks awesome and is different. Two more weeks and my Chili Red MCS will be here. I can't sleep, I'm like a kid wait for Christmas.

RaceCarDriver

 

I am buying my MINI because I am recapturing my high school years. Yep! Kids grown, off to college, Safari Van (3rd one) got traded in on a GMC Sierra Truck for the big guy, my husband, and the MINI is just the best car out there today!!!!! It's cute, it's quick, it's economical to drive, and heck if I have to push it myself I'll be able to. I feel bad for all of you who didn't own a VW bug in High school. Pushing a car is half the fun and memories! Not!!! A good friend of mine had a cooper in high school and we tooled around in it for a couple of years. Recapturing my youth??? yah!

 

A little about my history. My father has restored and driven European sports cars ever since I can remember. British cars first, then Italian for the last 30 years.

We like different and quirky cars. For example, between my father, mother and I, we owned 4 Renault LeCars, 3 of which we modified.

I chose reliable for my last 3 cars, but was ready for something different. Year 2000, began to think about buying a new car, knowing I'd need one within a year. Nothing turned me on.

In discussing it with friends, I referred to two funny, old, little Fiats parked in front of a pizza shop in my area (kinda look like classic Minis), and said that if something like that came out I'd get it.

Lo and behold, fall 2001, saw a photo of the new MINI, looked up the website and knew that was the car that I was getting.

Deposit, November 2001, though I didn't order until November 2002 (waiting for some options to be available). Due to dealer error, my order wasn't placed, so I discovered when I called looking for my car in March. Took delivery of MCS in June 2003. Never once looked up my production number, but went so nuts when I got the car, within weeks bought another! Number 2 is a used 2003, with many modifications. Guess I'm starting a new hobby related to my MINI's. Just haven't yet figured out what it is!

 

>>Whenever i go to look at a car, i usually know more by that time than the sales person does.

Sorry if I offend any MA's but that's not saying much since most car sales-persons I've delt with know next to nothing about the cars they sell and when I ask questions they lie to cover their lack of knowledge.
Anyways, now that my rant's out of the way, I bought my MCS because I was tired of boring cars (a Volvo and a Jetta were my two previous cars) and I wanted something more sporty and fun. The MCS was a decent deal for the fun it offers. I looked at many competitors like the Civic Si, WRX, RSX, and the Focus SVT and the MCS was, by a pretty good margin, the most bang for the buck.

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