I ordered a 2005 MCS/JCW in Jan 2005 to get the LSD and the midcycle updates. Since then I added the JCW Suspension and Brakes. I've had quite a few cars over the years, B4C Camaro, Impala SS, and many others, but the MINI is far and away the most fun to drive that I've ever owned.

I bought a Honda Civic (which I despise) back in March for my daily commute. Unfortunately, I let 91K miles rack up on the MINI before I bought a POS beater. I'm keeping the MINI forever. Nothing else even comes close in an attainable price range. I have the 100K mile extended warranty, and I'm leaving it alone until it runs out. Once it does, I'm planning to ****** off the JCW supercharger and send it out to be rebuilt as a pre-emptive measure. Maybe it'll die while I still have coverage... My extended warranty already more than paid for itself (PS Pump, radiator, leaking valve cover gasket, and worn out lower control arm bushings).

There's not much other than catastrophic damage that'd cause me to get rid of my MINI. I'll just keep everything in tip top shape and hang on to it.

Here's a good car buying tip...

Always buy a car that you can find a model, die-cast, and/or an R/C version of. They're always more fun!

Rawhyde

 

I am!

 

That's probably because its a rebadged toyota corolla.

 

There's very little that can happen to make me get rid of my MINI.

 

Yep, still loving it at 100k miles +
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=158788

 

Just wait for the TVS 900 to come out. It's going to be an awesome S/C for the mini.

 

I fully intend to keep our first Mini, Beatrix, the '04 MC always. There's something so fun about this first gen MINI that cannot be replicated.

Although the '08 is very cool, it will be traded for the Clubman that I've been wanting for so long.

 

My plan is to keep my 2006 MC forever and ever. I worked very hard to get her and she isn't going anywhere unless I'm behind the wheel.

 

I had been toying with the idea of ditching mine when my second child reaches school age. I drove a few 4 door cars (3 series, C class) and found right away that I can't drive anything less (er, more?) than the Mini. The kids can walk

 

They're going to bury me in mine, along with a GPS, a cellphone, and a laptop.

BTW, as an old-line classic Mini driver, please note that a "1st generation" Mini would have been built in 1959 or so, not after 2000. (I know, "Mini" vs "MINI", but our curent MINIs should show proper respect for their elders. :-)

 

MINIs and kids are totally doable. No one needs Minivans and SUVs (Unless you are a family of 6+ on the car all the time).

I have a '05 R53 S and earlier this year we added a Clubman S. Works perfectly fine for us. The vast majority of our friends with kids have trucks and vans. They can't understand for the life of them how we manage with "2 small" cars. Too bad they are missing on the fun is all I can say.

 

Within the 1959-2000 time period there were several generations and variants of the Issigonis Mini...Mk1, Mk2, Clubman, Traveller, etc

1st Generation MINI refers to the New BMW MINI (2001-2008) that covers the R50, R53 (Hardtops, ONE, Cooper, Diesel, JCW GP, and Cooper S) and the R52 (ONE, Cooper and Cooper S cabrios).

2nd generation MINI (Current) is the models that began in 2007 and possibly lifecycle production will end around 2014-2015 timeframe.

R56 = ONE, Cooper, Cooper S, JCW hardtops (Includes Diesel)
R55 = ONE, Cooper, Cooper S, JCW Clubman (Includes Diesel)
R57 = ONE, Cooper, Cooper S, JCW Cabrios (Includes Diesel)
R60 = AWD small MINI suv variant slated for 2010 sale.

Hope this helps.

 

My folks managed with 3 kids and one 1963 Mini.

 

SPÖÖK, 04 MC, jet black, bought on halloween, 174K on the clock...every thing works with just a few improvements

 

I don't know about this MINI in particular (R56 JCW = very tempting), but I can't foresee myself switching to something else as long as there's something good on offer from MINI. They're just too addicting!

It's a tough call though, since they're new and popular cars... As much as I love mine, I always know in the back of my mind that it's replaceable. Now if they stopped making them (or dramatically altered it), that's a different story... My 240Z will follow me to the grave, simply because I know I can never get another one like it.

 

Yes, I take my 3 y/o to school in the MCS. He loves it. The issue is when my daughter reaches school age. I'm 6'5" and there is no way she'll fit behind me in a car seat.

 

I've gone on public record of saying I'll keep my 05 MCS forever.

http://minimaniac.ca

 

If I ever get my MINI back from the body shop, yes I will keep it forever

 

I do not plan on keeping mine, I do however plan on continuing to own the MINI brand however. I have a R56 and a R52 both S models and love them dearly. I have a distinct advantage to buy New and sell after 2 years. I recoup most of all my money and drive the hell out of them. So every 2.5 years brings a new MINI. Provided Im over seas.
I have driven MANY MANY automobiles, the only automobiles which offer a comparison to total driver elation would be exotics. Sure there are faster cars out there, but I always catch up when the road bends.........

 

What's the round sticker on the corner of your windshield? Is it a tax disc or something?

 

This year in Germany, they require an Emissions sticker. The Gov. (Germans), created environmental districts which are illegal to enter if you dont have this sticker. It states how much pollution our internal combustions are creating in a categoric number. Mine is a 4. I think like most others, its a way for the German Bundes (Government) to make even more money
Nice Rover!!!!BTW

 

I had my last car for 17 years ... no reason not to do the same with the Mini considering it's so much fun.

 

>> I will never sell MAX. 2003 S and running as strong as ever. When I die it will go to my Son.

>> MINIMAX
>> 2003 S
>> Unstock & having fun!!!

 

I plan on keeping my 05 mcs forever. I'm in Boston so I am planing on getting something for the winter/second car ASAP. Thinking toyota pickup or FJ, although the only car I might part with my mini for is a BMW 135i but its alot of $$$

 

I tend to only buy cars I like, and then keep them for quite a while. Hell, I once got 135K miles out of an 85 TBird, which had quality issues. I bought my '06 MC because I knew it was last year of the R50, and I spec'd it light weight, added BBS RGFs, Minspeed Exhaust, JCW springs and Koni FSWs, and old school coco mats. It's a great commuter at 33 mpg, and it is also great fun to drive. I split my commute with my other car, take extra good care to keep up with maintenance, and the mini is paid for. Unless something really catastrophic occurs, I see no reason not to keep on motoring indefinitely