Well, it was a Long Run. Today, I traded my 2002 MINI Cooper (May 2002 build) with 136,000 miles in for a 2010 Prius IV w/Solar Roof.

My MINI was really having issues....Air Conditioner Clutch wasn't kicking in, need new Struts/Shocks, New engine mount dampeners, etc. etc.

In addition, the other half was complaining about the harsh ride hurting his back, and now that I'm nearly 50, I'm feeling it too.

Now that I'm kinda retired/on Disability, and that 2.9% financing/and : They gave me $5200 on Trade in, which, considering Blue-Book on that many miles, condition, etc, I was flabbergasted. It will take some getting used to driving what feels like a bit of a tank now, but now that I'm going to be doing a lot of car traveling, I needed the space/economy, etc.

I can only hope cost-of-ownership will be as well as expected with this Prius...as my MINI cost me a fortune over the years, (Even with the extended warranty). My CVT Blew up out of warranty at 90,000 miles and that alone set me back over $6000.00.

Anyways, it was fun reading this all, and learning/sharing/etc. I'm unsubscribing from this board, since now I'll be hanging out on PriusChat.com

 

that's too bad.. hope they did all the recalls on your new prius. good luck with it.

 

"My CVT Blew up out of warranty at 90,000 miles and that alone set me back over $6000.00."

Ouch!
You could try a JustaClubman, no probs with auto tranny. And suspension is softer for 2nd Gen.

 

Too late to talk you out of it now. There may have been some remedy's including just a new Mini instead of a first year Mini, with 15 inch tires for softer ride etc...... enjoy the Prius. Don't forget to wave to other Prius owners!

 

Hate to see a MINI owner go the way of another make/model. Good luck with the new ride, maybe one day you'll come back to MINI, they are so much better than the first days back in 2002.

 

Sorry to see you go. Good luck with your new car. Happy hypermotoring.

 

Yes, the official happy face sticker was there for the update.

 

Oh, and better as the MINIs are, it was time again for a larger vehicle. I need the space for storage when I road trip travel, and need 500+ miles on a tankful of gasoline for piece of mind. And the husband was just too unhappy with the tight ride....delicate back, etc.

On comment though; after the first few months of owning my MINI, I only used 87 Octane. So as far as needing 92? I got 136k miles with no engine trouble....that was the part that never had issues....unlike the tranny, electrics, cooling, suspension, air conditioning, or GPS.

And that picture was the last day I owned it...the pink slip in my little briefcase to turn over to the Toyota Dealer.

 

I wouldnt trade my July build '02 for anything...its been nothing but a thrill ride from day one, and other than replacing my supercharger (and all the mods) hasnt been a parts hog like other have been.

On another note, its sad that you (redbackfur) crossed over to the dark side, but if it makes you happy, then thats what counts. Good luck to you!

 

What needs to be realized is that this was the first model year (2002) Cooper with the CVT tranny. The fact it was a 2002 Cooper not Cooper S has less to do with the fact it had a CVT which everyone know has a very limited useful life and is very costly to replace.

My 2003 Cooper was wonderful but only after I tossed the runflats and put on ultra high performance tires on light 15" rims and Koni FSD's, etc.. In other words, a modded early model Cooper is going to be much better than a totally stock one in terms of comfort (if so tuned) , and not all MINI owners will mod their cars from stock to optimize these things especially considering the OP had an extended warranty.

Japanese cars are wonderful for reliability. I also drive a 20 year old Toyota MR2 that seems almost bulletproof compared to my MINI, but the MINI is so much more fun, safer, and feels like I've been teleported into the future each time I sit in it compared to my 1988 Toyota. The Priuses are very nice cars though. My neighbor just bought one to replace her Camry.

However the new R56's can get close to or over 500 miles on a tank on highway driving. I've seen it happen in my caravan where I'd got 280 miles to fill up and the R56 would fill up every second time I did.

Richard

 

I too hope that they fixed all the recall problems. Best of luck with you and your new car.

 

I drive an '06 MCSC and an '04 Prius, and I love them both. The Cabrio is only for Spring, Summer and Fall here in Michigan, but the Prius runs all year. The way I see it, they're both 'purpose built' cars, and each does it's job well. It sounds like you're making a mental shift as you make your change in cars, so you'll be well positioned for a successful migration. Have fun! BTW, look for the 'sweet spot' in the Prius' accelerator pedal...you'll hit 500 miles/tank, easy!

 

Prius?

 

Well I can't say I envy you, a Prius is not my idea of fun, but if you are happy who's to argue.

 

I was surprised to hear about that Prius in San Diego that hit 94 mph with the stuck gas pedal... good luck. You'll miss your MINI and I bet you'll come back.

 

Considering your experience the CVT issue and the fact that so many parts of the engine and suspension need to be replaced with what seems like annual regularity, I can easily see why you'd look else where than MINI, and the low balling (though not by a whole lot) on the trade it makes the sting all that much worse.

You're always welcome to hang around here, Prius or not.

 

My wife's car is a 2008 Prius (Boring...)
My car is a 2010 MCS (Fun!)

Realistically, factoring in the gas milage, cost to purchase, cost to maintain, and residual value, the net cost of operation on an annual basis is about the same for both cars.

(Don't think for a minute that Toyotas are without reliability problems, maintenance needs, etc!!)

When we have company to take somewhere, we take the Prius. Otherwise, I just can't imagine leaving the MINI at home.

 

That latest prius incident is crazy!! I had a rental yaris last week that had the recalls done but the gas pedal was like an on/off switch. impossible to modulate. seemed to be some issue in the software for sure. i doubt it's purely the pedal.

 

I think he's either looking for his 15 minutes or just wants them to buy his car back during the current hoopla. His TV account lacked credibility, imo.

The surprising thing for me is that nobody seems to know about "neutral"...

 

Or "turning off the ignition"...

Although, in the moment of panic, who knows if I would do the right thing either. I would hope I would, but who knows.

 

I could see an upsize - but, seriously - from a MINI to a Prius?

You're dead to me, Fredo...

 

 

^Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

awwww, I really did LOL. thanks.

 

Hey my MINI was doing that for about 3 hours tonight!

 

Unintended You-i-fication?