Ok, before I get the typcial "hello no", "I love my mini 4evah!", "I sleep in my car, that's how much I love it!" rant, hear me out. I am sersiously thinking about getting a Mini and can probably get one by April if I order here soon. So don't go thinking I don't want one, I love the car, looks great, seems peppy enough & it's nice over all.

About a month or two ago I went to our local dealer here in Houston, Momentum for those who know, and I managed to find an MCS unlocked so I messed with it as much as I could. Sat in the back seat, front seats, threw my fat *** in the truck best I could to see if I can throw a dead body there if the occasion ever came up you know (j/k). I liked what I saw and left it at that. About a week ago I returned because I am ready to give down a deposit (in San Antonio) so I wanted to reassure myself I was ok with the car. Again I went when it was closed (I h8 dealers), found about three opened Minis's and did my thing. This time I took a little more time and started to think this car may be a tad too small for me, 220lbs (100 kilos), 5'-9" (1.7m). I mean I fit and the car is so attractive it's hard to say no but it just worries me that I might feel diff. after the novelty wears off..

Question to y'all (yeah I was raised in Texas) is have you ever addmited to yourself, in secrecy of course, that even though it's what you have wanted forever and once the novelty wore off, you realized that maybe this car was just not for you?

Any comments?

H.é.c.t.o.r.

 

No
...actually the only way to make it perfect would be to build a car yourself, but as production cars go, most of us find this one to be pretty close to the dream car. It fits like a glove - some people may not like gloves, so yes there are personal preferences involved but one of the great things about this package is that it is as versatile as just about anything else out there - read some of the other threads and you'll see us talking about the strange things we've done with this car or the weird things we've fit in our MINIs ...
...it's all good!

 

Not ever.

 

Buyers regret! We all fear it more than the payments! You are not too big for this car! I would assume the seats are a pretty standard size for the average to quite fat bottomed people to sit in. If you weighed twice as much as you do, I'd perhaps be discussing a van or other large vehicle, only because it's hard for large people to get in and out of a low to the ground car.

Only you know how you end up feeling about the cars you buy. If you buy for looks and then regret you don't have enough towing or hauling power - then this may not be a car for you. If you've bought a car to regret it's not a truck to haul things in, If you buy for quiet, smooth, classy, distinguised look of a large sedan, then this little fun drive-like-you-just-stole-it car may not be for you. also if you are very private and would hate your neighbors or strangers at the grocery store to come over and ask you all about your car, where is it built, where did you buy it, etc... again, it may not be for you. and IMO - If you drink and drive - don't get it at all! Cops are known to pull over a MINI just to look at it!

You have to sleep on it and ask your gut if it's for you.
The gut test usually works the best!

 

Well of course the final decision is up to you....but no. There has not been one second that I regretted getting my MINI.

 

You might be better off waiting for the larger model that's due out in a few years. Besides, don't all you Texan Bush voters drive SUVs?

 

>>... Besides, don't all you Texan Bush voters drive SUVs?
Now, be nice, orby! ... not every texan is an idiot ... delta's asking for advice so I'm guessing he's a good one ...

 

>>You might be better off waiting for the larger model that's due out in a few years. Besides, don't all you Texan Bush voters drive SUVs?



Hehe, as a matter of fact I got a Pathfinder sitting in the driveway that I have no intentions of getting rid of.

BTW, I don't like Bush, Sr. or Jr. or the beer.

H.é.c.t.o.r.

 

YES!
There have been moments that I truly have regretted buying my MCS...
(the crowd gasps )
1. Cold start problem that ..haunted me for almost 3 months...there's a moment that comes to mind.
2. My passenger side windshield wiper assembly...flying off...while driving in a snow storm..... there's another moment.
3. When I realized I could now own a 350Z , S2000, G35 or Z4 for only $10k more than I paid for my MCS with all the extras.

BUT....here's my final stand...

I still own it...
It's a great $25K car...great
And if you realize what it is..before you buy it.... you absolutely LOVE IT!!!!!!!

Peace,
D

 

Hey there Big Fella, let's just start by saying I'm 130kg and 5'10" and I fit in my MINI very comfortably (no body greasing needed), though there's really no room behind me for anyone with legs. The gap is about 3 inches. So that shows you that the seat is not all the way back. My only recomendation would be to ensure you get a Mini Cooper S rather than the Mini Cooper. The performance is much better, The resale is better and the seats are better being a sports seat. I have previously owned soft Japanese luxury cars prior to my MINI so this has been quite a shock to the system, but a good shock. I feel young again, not that I'm old (I'm only 30) but in the past 2 years have bought a house etc so I feel like it's all down hill from here. But the MINI has given me a spark again and it goes really fast. Now that the positive side has spoken, here's the negatives.

The MINI is a small car, sure it's surprisingly spacious in the front, the rest of the car is small. You'll learn to adapt to that though.

The MINI Cooper S is a small sports car with a notchy sports gearbox, the ride is quite firm, So if you're tired the novelty of the MINI can wear off.

The MINI has alot of plastic in the cabin and although it's high quality European or English plastic, it will still rattle beacuase your MINI is a sports car, get used to it and turn the stereo up louder and drive faster.

Be prepared for small annoying faults, they shouldn't be anything major just little things like the trunk latch might play up etc (there are posts listsing problems on this site, but remember they're posted by people who are obsessed with their cars, but in their defence the MINI is an obsession) Your dealer should fix any problem very quickly. Remember this is a brand new model of car, there's no predecessor to iron out bugs.

That's about it. It really is a fantastic car, you'll get plenty of admiring looks and it's is a blast to drive, it just keeps getting better. If you can afford it buy the Cooper S, but don't get white wheels, brake dust is the plague of all MINI owners, you'll be cleaning them once a day at least, silver wheels wear the dust better, at least 3 days before it starts to show.

Happy Shopping and Motoring :smile:

 

>>>>... Besides, don't all you Texan Bush voters drive SUVs?
>>Now, be nice, orby! ... not every texan is an idiot ... delta's asking for advice so I'm guessing he's a good one ...
>>

Why oh why do Democrats always praise tolerance and peace, yet always purposely insult people?

As for the MINI, no regrets.

 

amen to that LB...I know plenty of Dems who drive Excursions, Expeditions,and Navs...

a great line from the movie Blackhawk Down: you'll forget all about your politics when the first bullet (MINI) passes your head!

 

My mini is my 3rd new car in 3 years (not due to crashes!) and I think that i might actually keep it for more than one year!

Bottom line is that I love driving this car, have no regrets (thanks in part to a great dealer - Bill Jacobs MINI in Naperville IL) and think that the car is overall the best value in all automobile land right now.

And its holding its value.

 

I love my Cooper. I bought the standard cooper (not the S) for a few reasons. One, I didn't want to pay over $21K for my car, and I can't just have a MINI base model, there really are very few standard features, many of the magazines have wrote about that and I have to agree. But, I have a very nice loaded MC complete with leather seats, all for $21,900 (yes I went over my limit). Have I ever regretted it? Well...occassionaly I've regretted not getting the S, but the stiffer suspension would drive me insane on these Michigan roads. One thing I had to have was the Sports seats....there is so much difference, between the standard and sports. But instead of ordering the Sports package, I just got ordered the sports seats extra, (additional $250). I was worried about the 115 hp not being peppy enough, but it really is. I have no problem, and find myself going 90mph on the highway more often than I should (it's just driving like it's born to hunny..). Though I will never beat much of anything off the line, I still get thrust into my seat when I red line.

I was just at the Detroit Auto Show and had a chance to sit in a Neon SRT-4, and if that was available before I bought my MC, I may have made a different choice. The SRT is loaded, and would have cost me less, and would give any stock MINI a serious run, and though you still drive a Neon home after a hard day's work, it's one fine looking Neon, (this is coming from someone who used to hate Neon and I still think the stock is a piece o' ___) But I'm a large man too, 6'4, 220, and people always wonder how I fit in the MINI. I love it...the novelty has not worn off, and probably never will. You will not regret the purchase if you weigh your decision carefully. Oh! One more point...when you buy MINI, you not only get a great car, you become one of the family. There is a commodiary between MINI owners that is something special. I'm a very proud owner and love this group of people. :smile:

 

I never have regretted my decision. The two month wait after my order was the only rough part.

 

No regrets!

 

I regret not ordering it sooner, does that count? :smile:

 

Almost anyone can fit in a Mini is the seat is adjusted right (although, the right adjustment for you may make the back seat unusable). I have a co-worker who is 6'7" and he fit OK; but I have another who is shorter but must tip the scales at about 300 lbs -- Mini is not an option for him. I'm also quite hefty but at least I bend in the middle (ie. I have a lap). The sports seats suit me fine.

If you want to avoid regrets, also consider the dealer. The new Mini is -- new. your car may very well have a small, medium or large problem(s). If you're confident your dealer will stand behind the car and make whats wrong right, go for it. Check with the local BBB, your Att'y Gen's office, see dealer ratings on this site, etc. Wish I had.

 

I had a moment of regret the other day when I saw a really nice looking bright red Mercedes C230 Sport Coupe. It was a really sporty looking car. However, the Mercedes is so much more expensive than my Cooper and not nearly as cute! I luv my Cooper :smile:

 

I too had concerns before I purchased, being of the larger size myself (5'11", 230-240lbs). I've got terribly short legs and a long torso, so I haven't really been comfortable in a car that was built after 1972...they just didn't fit. First of all, the sports seats in the S are the most comfortable I have ever sat in! I just spent 4 hours behind the wheel on Sunday and I never got uncomfortable, numb or sore. Also, I have a good 3-4" of headroom.

I spend 99% of my driving time alone, so size wasn't really an issue. On occasion I have to transport Point of Sale Terminals or other various computer equipment, and so far I haven't run of out space, as long as I don't have any passengers. With passengers, I would think that I could carry enough gear for my crew for a weekend, maybe a bit more. I haven't tried that one yet.

And, finally, with 1900 on the odometer in two weeks, the only problem that I have is a minor wind whistle at freeway speeds and the coin in the ashtray rattles when I drive over railroad tracks!

 

Hector...

You sound like a real pain in the ***. The mini is not for you. You're just not the type. If you buy a mini you're going to be miserable, Mark my words.

 

>>>>>>... Besides, don't all you Texan Bush voters drive SUVs?
>>>>Now, be nice, orby! ... not every texan is an idiot ... delta's asking for advice so I'm guessing he's a good one ...
>>>>
>>
>>Why oh why do Democrats always praise tolerance and peace, yet always purposely insult people?
>>
>>As for the MINI, no regrets.


Amen, as a texan who now lives in california, I get sick of the cheap shots taken at bush and texans in general. Most of the time they know little to nothing about the bold statements they are making. Also in regards to bush and suv's if you did something more than read usa today bush never supports suv's or bashes them, in fact until his presidency he drove a continental, I know this because he taught my fiance how to drive in it back when she was in highschool. And no I am not dating one of the bush twins, my girl just went to school with them in dallas until they moved to austin when he was elected gov. I'm not saying the guys perfect, but I think it takes a very insecure and low class person to make such person attacks at a person they do not even know. Sorry just a bit of built up frustration from the last year or so of living in CA.

Blake

 

>>>>>>... Besides, don't all you Texan Bush voters drive SUVs?
>>>>Now, be nice, orby! ... not every texan is an idiot ... delta's asking for advice so I'm guessing he's a good one ...
>>>>
>>
>>Why oh why do Democrats always praise tolerance and peace, yet always purposely insult people?
>>
>>As for the MINI, no regrets.


Amen, as a texan who now lives in california, I get sick of the cheap shots taken at bush and texans in general. Most of the time they know little to nothing about the bold statements they are making. Also in regards to bush and suv's if you did something more than read usa today bush never supports suv's or bashes them, in fact until his presidency he drove a continental, I know this because he taught my fiance how to drive in it back when she was in highschool. And no I am not dating one of the bush twins, my girl just went to school with them in dallas until they moved to austin when he was elected gov. I'm not saying the guys perfect, but I think it takes a very insecure and low class person to make such person attacks at a person they do not even know. Sorry just a bit of built up frustration from the last year or so of living in CA.

Blake

 

>>
>>Why oh why do Democrats always praise tolerance and peace, yet always purposely insult people?
>>
>>As for the MINI, no regrets.
As opposed to the Republicans who preach war and violence, and always purosely insult people?! (just kidding, let's not get into a political debate!)

 

No regrets here either. The MINI is a great little car for the money.