liaudio,

Sorry to hear about your problems with your MINI.
I've had mine for over 2 years and 20,000+ miles and I'd say that I like it more than ever.

On the track and at autocross there isn't a VW in sight that can keep close. Expensive? Not for the base model and for the level of performance you do get.

Focus on driving fun and the rest doesn't seem important.

I painted alot of the plastic a wood finish so that's not an issue with me.

Uncomfortable and loud? Sports cars sound and feel great.

 

You might want to try to focus on your driving more than the interior of your car then...

 

Hahahahaha as much as I love my car I have to agree with you on a couple of those!!

Unacclimated passengers NEVER figure out how to open the door - I'm waiting for somebody to pull the thing straight out of the door - people think they just aren't pulling hard enough on #1. I think I've had 1 person figure it out on their own the entire time I've owned the car...

Is it really a good idea to put Traction Control right next to the window opener and make both buttons look the same? I've never had any problems, but these days there are lots of idiots

I have rattles all day long. I tighten some down, and they pop up elsewhere. I've pretty much given up now


HOWEVER, I still love this little rocket! It puts a grin on my face every time I drive it. I think the chassis is well worth the extra money over a GTI (how they put that name on this generation's model I'll never know- it's ridiculous)

The center speedo is awesome - I put it in the same category as the toggle switches, rattles, two-pull doorhandles, ridiculous dome light location, ridiculous clock location, etc etc etc. as 100% British Charm. It would be just another VW if it was "Precision Engineered." This car's designed to be a pitbull - there are much prettier German dogs with much sleeker coats, but that pitbull is mine and I wouldn't want it to change a bit.

 

My 03 MC with close to 50K miles on it has had some problems,but it starts at -45F,goes like snot,does 100 miles a day,and does not rattle.And I like it when folks ask me about it.Echos get way less attention,get one of those

 

I don't have a seatbelt chime on my '05! What gives? Not that I want one, you might be able to get rid of it.

mb

 

My point exactly. You are looking for attention.

 

but you missed MY point. oh, wait... i dont have one.


Just a little pissed and i guess i only have myself to blame.

It does go to show how many are willing to sacrifice what i feel is a lot, for just a fun car.

 

You obviously didn't even attempt to research the car before buying it, so I don't think you're going to get much sympathy here. It's like buying a house and then whining about the ugly kitchen and the potholes in the driveway.

 

i don't think thats a great analogy. A better one would be to say that you buy a house and didn't realize that the local firehouse blares its siren at one million decibels for no apparent reason. Or that the neighbors son likes to throw parties until 4am on weekdays.

The more obvious things i guess I am completely at fault for, but I didnt even think about it upon purchase. I just took it for granted. I mean, why would a $19k car have features that a $26k car doesn't?

But I am not comparing a Hyundai to an Ininiti...

 

Oh, I did know what i was buying this car for, otherwise i wouldn't have thrown in the extra $500 for the Limited Slip. What a bargain.

 

I've never had any of the problem's you've listed. My 04' MCS was rock solid, great quality materials with great fit and finish. I've driven pretty much every small car on the market today including a few VW's and while their interiors are very nice i don't see where they are ANY better than the MINI.

VW's and MINI's are both Premium compacts, but the MINI has alot more charm. I also don't know what you guys are doing to make your cars so loud, but my main complaint was in how quiet the car is! I autocross and usually get laughed at because my little whining car just whizzed by barely making a noise, of course until they see my time .

I wanted a Turbo Beetle for a long time, but i'm very glad i'm now in a MINI because its high quality and feels like a true compact sports car.

Ohh and where are all these rattles you guys talk about? I never had ONE in my 04 MCS, usually if there was a rattle i found out it was something of mine that i had lose in the car (i.e. cell phone, cd case, and so on).

 

I am getting confused after reading this thread.

Really curious, what really made you put in your order in the beginning of all these nightmare you have? Was there a big incentive that time pushed you to the decision that you seems so regret this moment? BTW, how long did you wait for your car from beginning to delivery?

Mostly people will regret buying a car after they have driven the car for some time, and due to performance or gas comsumption, they feel regret (IMO). This is really rare to see a case that most points you made were appearence related. If appearence is such a big part, you really shouldn't have bought this car.

Thanks for sharing my confusion here.

 

I'll trade you my '96 BMW 328i if you don't like your MINI. haha Plus a 9 year old BMW is way better than some piece of garbage vw....

 

i think a moderator needs to lock this thread, i'm sick of seeing these guys start out with a post that they know will **** off anyone that reads it.

i'm irritated just reading it, i hate seeing threads like these....

i dont think you deserve the mini, but hey, the VW will always take you back, its just a car.

 

if we have to explain you will not understand...................................

 

better phrase:

Its a MINI thing, if you have to ask, you just wouldnt understand!

 

absolutely could not have said it better

 

You mean all that wood we see in your photo is "painted"? Really? Or were you toying with someone who was toying with this thread to begin with?

 

Your complaining to the wrong people. Most people on here LOVE their MINIs. My 05 is tight as a drum and feels solid and drives great. If you dont like the car sell it and get on with your life.

 

Exactly. Dont come here and try to start a flame war. Which is exactly what you tried to do.

 

nam has been one of the only automotive forums i visit that doesn't end with name calling and bickering... u wnt to be flamed? go elsewhere

if you are so unsatisfied with your mini, sell the dam car! no one is going to stop you, afterall it's ur money... alot of the reasons also seems kinda invalid... most of them could've been seen the moment you sit inside one and take it out of the lot...

No automatic windows up feature-WOW, what a loss! whatever happened to cranking windows up and down! lazy!.

the windows roll down sometimes when my keys are in my pocket-isn't it suppose to be a good feature that you can open the windows as you approach?

ugly washer fluid level indicator on the right column stalk-so, get an 04 control stalk, it wont bother u anymore

no easy/cheap/unobtrusive bike carrier-WOW, what a tragedy!

that annoying seatbelt chime!!! ARGH!!!-you tried wearing your seatbelt?

PLASTIC EVRYWHERE!!!! Inside and OUT!!!!-plastic is designed to save cost... you want leather everywhere? get a mercedes

Cheaper feel than my VW. Much more $$$ too!! - didn't you come in seeing the list price? or did you just want the latest fad not caring everything else, and ***** about it later?

Fit and finish very lack-luster. (see 2 aforementioned reasons)-again, didnt you notice this when you test drive the thing?

Controls laid out awkwardly. (I hate that retarded temperature control ****)-again, test drive would've already shown this

Uncomfortable for everyday driving but maybe I'm just getting old-maybe you are, but would've you notice this when you are just crusing along during your test drive?.

Expensive, especially when you compare it to similar 3-doors. $1100 for leather?!?!?!?!?!?!?! -whos to tell you to get leather? expensive, dont get it! and what you comparing it to... a civic? a 911? isn't a 550 marallelo also a 3 dr coupe? what you call that?

A lot of unused storage capability in the cockpit-u can try using it! would've you notice this again during your test drive?

Loud interior while driving. 10 fold with the windows open-its a sports car... would you say a ferrari is loud and complain to your dealership?

im not even going to argue anymore.. ur unsatisfied with your car.. sell it! if your 1.8T gives u all that and more, more power to you! i love my mini, you love your vw...

 

Eh, I don't understand how you didn't know exactly what you were getting into. I knew within a mile that the MINI was quirky, fast, a tad noisy, not at all soft and cushy, and that there was nothing else I wanted to drive from that point on. Seriously, within a mile or two of driving any car, I knew whether I would consider buying it or not, and exactly why.

I know these cars aren't for everyone, but how can you not know that after driving it?

 

i can almost see this guy at the dealership:

"ooo, i want this mini, i dont care how much, just give it to me"

then 2 weeks later

"this car stinks! why did i by this piece of..."

jesus... you brought the car! live with your decision! if you dont like it, sell it

 

I know you! You're the guy who writes the car reviews for Consumer Reports!

P.S. - You forgot to knock the useless cupholders.

 

CALLING ALL MODS!!! PLEASE LOCK THE THREAD!!!!!or just delete it all together!!!