My MINI is my first new car, only the second off any kind of car lot.First real warrenty,owned over 20 cars,and/or trucks both offshore and domestic,in 35 years of driving.I was afraid to buy anything new :smile: My dealer so far has been good to me . you will have fun driving the MINI,should cancel out any hassle .

 

>>After checking out so many of the posts here, I'm afraid to buy a MINI. It's the car of my dreams, but the reliability issues combined with dealer scumminess are seriously scaring me away from this car.
>>
>>The dealer I talked to has not returned my email. Judging by the fact that he said the JCW package was $6,500, I'm beginning to think he's one of the dealers who adds exorbitant markups to the MSRP. I've read too many posts here that also complain of really bad dealer behavior.
>>
>>I've got ADHD. I do not handle the frustration of a poor product with poor service very well at all and I just don't think I could handle the ordeal that this car will most likely bring to my life.
>>
>>When will MINI get their act together and offer a product and service I can really trust?
>>
>>Chet.

Chet, what do you think about Automobile Magazine awarding the MINI 'Allstar' for best in its class determined by its writters and the 'Reader's Choice Award?'

 

>>>>After checking out so many of the posts here, I'm afraid to buy a MINI. It's the car of my dreams, but the reliability issues combined with dealer scumminess are seriously scaring me away from this car.
>>>>
>>>>The dealer I talked to has not returned my email. Judging by the fact that he said the JCW package was $6,500, I'm beginning to think he's one of the dealers who adds exorbitant markups to the MSRP. I've read too many posts here that also complain of really bad dealer behavior.
>>>>
>>>>I've got ADHD. I do not handle the frustration of a poor product with poor service very well at all and I just don't think I could handle the ordeal that this car will most likely bring to my life.
>>>>
>>>>When will MINI get their act together and offer a product and service I can really trust?
>>>>
>>>>Chet.
>>
>>Chet, what do you think about Automobile Magazine awarding the MINI 'Allstar' for best in its class determined by its writters and the 'Reader's Choice Award?'
>>

>> The car has won car of the year,engine of the year ,very high safety standards ,even for a small car,sells like nuts everywhere they can be got,,has a good emission rating. I get great mpg for a little sports car.lots of looks,and no one waves at an echo

 

Go ahead and buy. Best fun for the money.

 

Well, like I've said...I don't think the smiles-per-gallon rating can be matched.

Chet.

 

To afford a car like the mini...

1. This shouldnt be your only means of transportation... best be second or third car
2. have patience
3. not be afraid of calling dealers, scheduling unscheduled service visits
4. Should live somewhat near a MINI Dealership
5. Can afford the money payments
6. accept the fact that there are less expensive and more reliable cars out there that probably dont offer as much EQ... As you know EQ usually outweighs IQ.
7. Learn to live with the imperfect... the lesson with marriage as well.. perfect is what you make of it. Perfection is a fallacy... unless youre a japanese car owner with no problems to gripe about on an online forum.

*grimace*

8. One who doesnt take life too seriously... you'll understand what i mean...eventually
9. values fashion over form
10. can be less practical
11. Has time to wait a few hours for road side assistance.

 

Why are you answering question to a thread that died more than two YEARS ago? Curious

 

I LOL'ed.

Is it just me or have there been a lot of "resurections" of old threads lately?

 

slow friday

 

Here is an idea ... instead of ressurecting the dead that nobody cares about ... start a new one, maybe in OT, about something cool. Just a thought!

 

maybe... i am just doing searches and adding comments to threads which i find interesting...

Most of my time on NAM is on searches so i rarely have any regard for time...

As you know MINIs are timeless :D

 

Touche

 

If you are looking for fun car to drive and don't really care about the price, go ahead with Mini.
If you are looking for a car reliable on long term with a good quality vs Cost I would say forget Mini.

In 1 year I didn't have big issues but small thing that definitively not supposed to happen for a car over CAN$ 30 000.

Regarding the customer service I am not impress at all. Soon they see they don't make money with you they don't really care. I am doing my own service, so soon I have questions regarding specific things they even don't call me back.

 

Dude. Welcome to NAM

BTW, your responding to somoene who last posted in this thread TWO years ago. If a tree fall in the forest and no one is around, can you hear it

Welcome anyway! Good to hear more opinions

 

There are going to be good and bad dealers for all makes of cars. You should do your homework on this issue, because if you do have problems, the right dealer can go a long way to making it less of a hassle. There are probably cars that have higher reliablity ratings, such as Toyota and Honda, but if you want a MINI, you wouldn't be happy with most of their cars. Finally, being aware of possible problems in advance is better than not knowing much at all about a vehicle. In the end, it will be what you are comfortable with.

 

Know I am late to dinner here...but I have a 2005 Element and a 2003 Mini (stock plain mini). I bought the Mini used with 23000 mi (back in March 06) and couldn't be happier... Niello in Sacramento has taken great care of me and considering I DID NOT EVEN BUY IT FROM THEM...AMAZING CARE IS MORE LIKE IT!!!! (just decided it was time for a checkup) The only cost to me was my gas getting from Reno to Sacramento!

As far as Mini goes...how's this: got a note from Miniusa telling me to have my battery replaced on them due to some fault...well already happenned to me and it was easier to just replace it here than drive the 250 RT to Niello....

MINI's (MINIUSA) RESPONSE: "we will re-imburse you!!!" WOW...when was the last time you heard something like that!

As far as the Element goes (the "UGLYMOBILE")...YES it is butt ugly but does everything I ask of it and in its own way is fun to drive...BUY THE MINI...NEVER LOOK BACK! The thing is just a blast to drive (errr....motor in)
I have had 2 old Porsches which were fun too...but the MINI is a riot and fun at the same time!

 

I've probably had 40 warrantied repairs - some minor and some major. Each time, I handed the dealer a business letter, and let them take it from there.

At my last repair appointment, I camped out at the dealership all day because I gave them a list of 15 items, and the car was going off warranty in 50 miles. I wanted to keep an eye on them and let them know that I'm serious. Squeaky wheel gets the grease.

I find you gotta show em you're serious; otherwise, they blow off most people, and then wait until the car is off warranty and then charge em! I think it's a racket. I hired an independent mechanic to look over my MINI before it went off warranty. Too often, the dealer wants to tell you that some strange thing about your MINI is normal.

 

First, you need a new doctor. Getting angry has nothing to do with ADHD. It sounds like depression more than ADHD and nothing that the right diet and perhaps meds can't level. Secondly, any car could give you problems. On the whole, you could get a lemon from any vendor. Bottom line is that you reap what you sew. Walk in with a good attitude and you will be taken care of, get bent early and they can make your life miserable. I was one that complained early about my car as they had messed my order up. BMW fixed it and now I am a happy camper.

OK, I found an article that talks a little (very little) about anger, but I still don't buy the whole ADHD thing. Maybe frustration?