I wouldn't consider consumer reports a real reliable source. But mini's certainly have their problems.I have owned several, and still own 3 toyotas.They are dead reliable, but with the exception of my old fj40 they are pretty boring.I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with my mini.I love the way it drives, I hate the fact that it needs warranty work and rattles like a 10 year old hyundai.If it were out of warranty, I would fix it myself.I have also owned a few bmw's and they are far from trouble free.But they last as long as you are willing to put money into them.Japanese cars, with the exception of real heavy duty stuff like my fj40, just wears out and you throw it away.Granted my old 89 toyota pickup has 189k on it and is going strong, but only because I know how to repair it myself.I don't think anyone in their right mind would pay a dealer to change 2 clutches,a transmission,2 rearends,hubs, brakes,bodywork,etc,etc. But it didn't cost a dime until about 140k.I'm hoping my mini will wind up being like my bmw's were.A control arm here and there, brakes,wheel bearings, etc. But still going strong at 300k. So far I don't have a whole lot of faith, but I can dream.

 

We have always followed Consumers Reports recommendations which means we have always had Toyotas and Hondas. Reliable as all get-out but Ehhh.

Right after we ordered Monty I stopped in to get gas and told our mechanic of 15 years that we were getting a MINI Cooper. He got a big grin on his face. I told him that I knew it probably wouldn't be as reliable as our other cars and he said, "You don't buy a car like that for reliability, you buy it for fun." True!

With the maintenance and bumper to bumper warranties I figure at least we won't be shelling out any money for the next few years if something goes up. If we have trouble on the road, that's why we have cell phones and AAA (oh yeah, and MINI roadside service).

Anyway, 4500 miles and no problems at all, knock wood.

I am glad to see our Miata made the trouble free list, though.

Laurie

 

I have always followed Consumer reports WRT buying products including cars. i have always found them to be reliable for the most part- Home theater systems, cameras, etc. I have two safe, reliable Hondas that have never been a problem- but boring. CR recommended them and helped me get the best prices.
I have now bought a MINI- again based on CR. You may not remember but CR did a review of the 02 MINI, and despite not having reliability information they gave it a good review based on the fact that it WAS FUN TO DRIVE (and safe!!). So I won't malign CR now, just because I don't like their report- remember reliability reports are based on MINI driver surveys; so if you want to blame anybody- its US!!

While I am glad I have my boring, safe, reliable Hondas to take my kid to school, and for the 'family' road trips. But I am equally glad for the crazy, spirited, fun MINI (with all the rattle & hum)- no kids allowed!

 

I year, 20K miles, 0 problems. No rattles, no broken glass, no cracked glass, no chipped glass, no hesitation, no stumble, no yoyo, no pealing paint, no problems at all.

 

>>Just remember Consumer Reports also tests electric toothbrushes, microwave ovens, refrigerators, electric water heaters, dishwashers, dryers, curling irons....
>>
>>So if you want a car that runs like an appliance (and has the soul of one as well), buy a Camry. You'll be safe happy, secure and innoculated in your little, cozy, boring cocoon on wheels.
>>
>>But if you want some fun....


This is so true. Let me come out right now and say that I love Consumer Reports. They do a great job of consumer advocacy, and they always make super recommendations. I've followed their advice about dishwashers, washers, dryers, car seats, toaster ovens, etc., and they've always steered me right.

BUT . . .

If you're an auto enthusiast, you can't trust their opinions on cars.

My Dad, for instance, is the kind of guy who thinks of a car as just another appliance. He's on his fourth Toyota now, and he hasn't had a significant problem since his '78 Corolla. For him, Cosumer Reports' recommendations are perfect; they keep him away from repair costs.

I, on the other hand, get my non-appliance opinions from the automotive press: Road & Track, Motor Trend, Car and Driver, etc., because those journalists are enthusiasts like me.

So, if you look for the same qualities in a car that you want in an appliance, follow Consumer Reports' advice, and you'll be happy. If you want more than low cost and reliability, get your opinions from a source that reflects your same values. But you can't slam Consumer Reports for being what it is. They do a great job for consumers; they're not there to cater to the automotive enthusiast.

 

Hold on a minute...I thought that BMW's point was NOT to make the mini a sports car. It's super sporty and powerful and has so much potential, but shouldn't it be classified as a "small car."

I wonder if putting it in another category would do anything?

As far as reliability goes ans how they calculate it...well I've had a few things go wrong that shouldn't have, but I didn't pay a penny to get them repaired and wasn't that inconvenient...except the time the rear latch broke and they gave me a rental :???: I had to go to the opening of the Italian Job in a Saturn

L

 

Yeah, if only we could get the MINI reclassed into a category with more average problems to help it look better.

 

i did have problems with my mini cooper. the windows didnt want to go down but they fixed it for free .....so im happy

 

Like OH MY GOD everytime I take my Slurrpeeeee from my Camaro and try to put it in boyfriend's MINI I like totally OH MY GOD freak me out because it's so not cool. That cup holder like so much sucks. I mean I think CR (Cup-holder Reports) gave like OH MY GOD like a total ZERO. I JUST CAN'T HAVE A MINI, I'M STICKING TO MY CAMARO. Like OH MY GOD it's so obvious every time I have not had a Camaro or a GM product my cup holder has been so inadequate or my SLURPEE BLOKE IT.

MINIs suck! And let's not even get on the subject on like how many times I TOTALLY LOSE MY CELL PHONE because there's just no place to put it. Uh, I just don't see what YOU PEOPLE SEE IN THE MINI.

You are all just so uncool.

 

A discussion of CR recently came up on another board I attend. The important thing to remember is that their methodology is suited to parity products that don't vary much from brand to brand or model to model (toilet paper, toothpaste, coffee makers). These are not typically items we have an emotional connection to.

Cars are a different matter, particularly if one is an enthusiast. Therein lies the problem: trying to apply rational criteria to irrational products. That's why a 4-cylinder automatic Camry or Accord is tailor-made to win a CR evaluation - it fulfills the rational, quantifiable elements while pretty much ignoring the unmeasurable irrational ones.

-CW