I was actually looking at Ford and Dodge 1/2 ton pickups before buying my MINI. Both make a damn fine looking truck, but the new Dodge style kinda caught my eye, and I thought that the overall fit and finish was better. I was also looking at Toyota Solara, Olds Alero and VW Jetta/Passat. They all lost once I test drove the MINI tho

 

I was perfectly happy with my VW Jetta. After I got my MINI, I gave the Jetta to my girlfriend - now I can't stand to drive the thing.

 

I looked at the VW Golf, VW Beetle, and a used Saab 93.

Then I sat in a Mini. End of story. :smile:

 

I looked at several options.

First, trade in my civic and pay the difference for a 03 Accord coupe

Second, sell the civic and get a Mercedes sportscoupe with my brother´s discount from DC.

Third, the Mini Cooper and keep the civic, since the market for used cars in Mexico is sooo depressed and I would get peanuts for a 01 civic with all the extras in perfect condition that I happen to still like very much.

So.. Mercedes is too fancy and I don´t want to be kidnapped, Accord is awesome but they offered me peanuts for my civic

And... The Mini is a Toy, and boys like toys, so the Mini won

 

Personally I was never really into cars and the 'car culture' until I saw the mini cooper, it was the firt time that I really was interested in any car. Honestly, I was very happy with my toyota corolla and then I saw the mini and knew I had to get it!

 

I was looking at the Land Rover Freelander (SUV? Gasp!). I had a long-time girlfriend and a 100lb. dog at the time, and we were looking to move to the snowy Midwest. Well, long story short, the girl and dog left for the Midwest, and I stayed put in the East (guess I should post to Single Mini Motorers...)

The upside was that I could now buy exactly what I wanted...and I did. MCS is On Order, 2/7 Prod date. I had thought about the WRX (not enough head room), the Mercedes C230 coupe (not sporty enough), and the Audi A4 Avant 1.8T.

I also stopped by to check out the Aztek, but the salesman said I wasn't quite cool enough, and wouldn't even let me on the showroom floor. I guess I'll have to buy my tent seperately!

I've had Beemers, and loved them, but wanted a change...and the MINI is just about perfect for me. Can't wait!

 

Well, yes, sort of.

I was not ready to purchase a car. The plan for me was to not purchase a new car until late 2003 or probably 2004. However, I was busy planning what car to purchase.

From 12/99 to 1/02 I foamed at the mouth waiting for Subaru's STX concept to hit production. When they finally announced production specs (and named it the BAJA), all my dreams were shattered. All that waiting was for nought, because I can't stand the abysmal incarnation of the STX concept.

So, this left a huge void in my life. My wife was ready to kill me because I couldn't think or talk about anything else. The uncertainty made me crazy. I needed closure on what I wanted to purchase - even though I was 2 years out.

I then bounced around from the VW Passat, the Audi All-Road, to a Subaru Outback, then to the 325xi, and the Acura RSX and finally had a huge shift in thinking and fell in love with the MINI.

After 5 weeks of obsessing over the MINI (remember I wasn't ready to purchase a car) I decided I had to go for a test drive. About 3 days before we went for the test drive, the wifey finally says: "For Pete's sake! If it will get you to shut up, then just buy the damn car!"

Went for a test drive and plunked down my deposit to be put on the waiting list! So much for waiting until '04. ....Now we're over 12,000 sMiles later - and not only did I NOT shut up about the car, but I'm VP of the local MINI club!

_________________
The SharkFin antenna is 2 fun! Click for info!


<a href=https://www.northamericanmotoring.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=phpBB_14&file= index&action=viewtopic&topic=2936><i mg src="https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...></a>

 

Alfa Romeo 147
Audi A3
BMW 330ci
BMW 320 F1
Seat Leon Cupra R
Peugeot 206 Convertible
Salleem Mustang

The winner 2003 Mini Cooper S Dark Silver/white

 

Hi,

Didn't want or need another car until I read about the MINI being built again. Then it became, a wish, a like, want, desire, longing, need, compulsion, hankering, obsession, distraction, love and next thing I know I'm posting stuff on boards and joining a car club and going for group drives and ......... who knows what next.

 

MiniB, you got it bad....ain't it great!!! Also, no offense, but I suspect that none of us are "cool" enough for an Aztek!

 

I didn't really need a new car....my Honda only had 81K on it. But I was thinking of getting a GTi (not new...I was looking for like a Mk 3) until a friend of mine showed me a picture of the MINI and I became instantly obsessed. The rest is history.

Oh yeah and for a long long while I had my sights set on an Aztek with the camping package. That one went on the back burner though. Maybe when I have enough to afford a second car.

 

Yes, I considered driving my Safari Van off a cliff so I could buy the Mini no questions asked!

 

If it hadn't been for MINI, I'd be driving a VW GTI right now.

 

did I consider ... NO - if BMW hadn't started importing these, I would have just poured more money into the old Mini to keep it going for a second 300,000 miles...

 

>>MiniB, you got it bad....ain't it great!!! Also, no offense, but I suspect that none of us are "cool" enough for an Aztek!

************************************************** ***********

jds,

If I had known that a mid life crisis could be so much fun I would have had one much sooner. Of course I probably would have had to do it in an Aztec, but then what other vehicle can hold a candle to a MINI.

OH, OH here comes L.Mini again, quick hide the Aztec brochures.

 

Had a deposit on a ford focus SVT - was a great car and a great deal - with incentives was around $15,750 (from 20k sticker). But I just couldn't get around the fact that I was getting a focus....also had a deal on both a Mitsubishi EVO and the WRX STi, loved the performance - 0-60 in 5 flat or better, AWD, etc. - couldn't get over the "boy racer" looks. I refused to pay over MSRP for the MCS - the dealer finally relented - actually $200.00 under, so I couln't refuse. To be delived in feb-march...

 

I like small cars. Always have. Especially hatchbacks. The first car I bought new was a '94 Golf (when the GTI didn't yet exist, but I couldn't wait, GRRRR). Then no car, lived in Manhattan. Anyway, I was looking for a small car.

BMW M Coupe. Completely bad ****. Completely too expensive.

Audi TT. Looks like it's straight out of a comic book. Too expensive!

Miata. Eh.

Honda Civic. Couldn't stand the styling.

Ford Focus SVT. Intrigueing, and American, I always try to give 'em a shot. Too ugly for me.

Subaru WRX. Fast, great handling. Right size, right price. Too ugly for me.

Mini. Right price. Great drive. Fantastic styling.

I've never owned a classic mini, but someday when I can afford a spare "hobby car", I would love to. I've always drooled on the rare occasions I've been overseas. This is as close as I can come, and in many ways it is even better than the "real" thing. I am so looking forward to this thing. Soon. Soon.

wactuary

 

My thoughts are reflective of many other responses posted here. Not really in the market for a new car. The old reliable Honda Accord still going strong. Then I came across an article (Car and Driver, I think) and the seed was planted. I ended up passing on the old Honda to a family for their young son's first car while going away to college. Living up here in the winter snow country, something like a Subaru would probably be more practical... But how much fun could that be?

 

I was not looking at new cars either. My husband and I each have pretty good cars, and even better--they are paid off. A friend of our got one of the first MINIs in our area and I loved it. I was also shocked at the price, so we got one as our "toy" car. Our new house has a three car garage and I guess we were just itching to put something in the extra stall!