I'm just wondering whether any of you considered other cars before purchasing a MINI. I considered several other cars before finally deciding on the MINI Cooper, among them:
BMW 325i
Mercedes C230 Coupe
Used BMW M3
Toyota Celica
Acura RSX
Volkswagen Jetta

But the MINI won me over! The MINI is sufficiently spacious, handles so well, and it's so darn cute! Who could resist it!

 

no choice...I've got a couple of cars already that work fine...just HAD to have one since they are so cool...

now if you also want to know...what is the NEXT car to buy...for me my next "dream" car is the Audi Allroad Quattro...boy o boy, I REALLY want one of those but they sure are pricey!

 

I considered no other car than a MINI. Having two older Mini's years ago, getting a MINI again is the only reason a thought about a new car.

 

I thought about the New Beetle Convertable and the Jetta. But when I found out I could get a MC for about the same price I was sold and never looked back.

Kecia, who should take delivery of her 03MC BRG/W in February

 

I wasn't even thinking about a new car until I saw the MINI! (Actually it was when I realized I could afford one, then I HAD to have it). After the new car bug set in, If for some reason the MINI couldn't happen, I was thinking GTI VR6 or perhaps a used Audi TT.

 

I only considered buying a regular MINI before deciding on the S. It only cost me 2 months wait. :smile:

 

I didn't need another car. Already had a 98 Volvo and 1955 Oldsmobile 88. Went down to the dealer to see the Mini and was hooked after the test ride. So now I have an extra vehicle, Mini is the best!

 

BMW 3 series of any configuration.... Couldnt afford it!! No regrets !! Love the MINI

 

No. I was as good as gold with my 215k miles Toy Corolla when one passed me on the way to work. I figured that was about the coolest thing I have seen for a while as far as car body style etc. So, I started some web searches and found some pictures and such. Then I decided to take the 75 mile journey to the dealer and test drive and ordered it right there on the spot. 8/26/2002. Now, I have a production number and am in agony waiting.

 

My wife and I looked at several cars. The toyota matrix was tempting, but only the xrs. Nissan Altima was shockingly fast, but not as fun as the sentra spec V. We looked at many other cars and not one of them was as fun or cool to us as the chili red mini cooper..

 

I was looking to get rid of my Jetta TDI. Loved the MPG but tired of the diesel related smog and poor performance. I thought about the 1.8T GTI but in general I was not real impressed with VW so I avoided that brand. I drove the Subaru WRX and also the fairly quick Impreza 2.5 RS. Also considered the Honda Civic Si hatchback with it's cool shifter location. I found all three to be as hard to come by as the MCS, and the dealers equally unwilling to deal. I avoided the Honda because I really didn't want to be part of the ricer crowd either. The WRX is faster than my MCS, but both it and the Honda have ugly styling and neither was quite as fun to drive as the MCS.

 

>>I'm just wondering whether any of you considered other cars before purchasing a MINI. I considered several other cars before finally deciding on the MINI Cooper, among them:
>>BMW 325i

I'm driving a loaner 325i right now, while my MINI is at the dealer....BORING...the MINI is a much better car to drive.

 

there were many cars I looked at (horsepower, tranny, cost how I optioned each):

Acura RSX Type-S - 200Hp 6speed 25k
MINI Cooper S - 163Hp 6speed 23k
Honda S2000 - 240Hp 6speed 33k
VW Jetta GLI - 200Hp 6speed 25k
Subaru WRX - 227Hp 5speed 27k
Nissan 350Z - 287Hp 6speed 35k
BMW 325Ci - 184Hp 5speed 34k

In all, the MCS was the most fun, best handling, and best overall value. Perhaps that's why only 2 days after I put my deposit down, the MINI won North American Car of the Year!

On order: MY03 MINI Cooper S, Indi Blue, White roof and White Wheels, black inside with alloy patina, Sport and Cold packages, OBC, H/K, and MFSW, March Build.

 

I was actually on my way to buy an Acura RSX type S, the dealer told me they had one (Silver with Blk interior) on the lot, while on route I passed the Mini dealer on the way and the rest is history!!

 

I was in the UK having a Mellotron rebuilt in Litchfield and one of the blokes suggested I go to the motor show. Well as I was driving in (Nov 2000) I saw billboards for the New MINI and when I got inside they had just unvailed the car. there were thousands hanging around. I managed taking quite a few pictures. I then decided I wanted a Orange one but now unlike the display there is no Orange!!!
No, I wasn't needing a car at all.

 

The day I was bringing the depsit check for a Honda Pilot ( ACK..... no backlash please) , We ( spouse and I) decided to look , just for grins, at the MINIs on the internet. Thinking out of our price range, WOW!...low and behold, we could buy 2 for the price of the Honda Pilot. That's when we found out we both had secretly wanted a MINI. Note....have good open communication or miss out on your "real" desires, The next day we test drove the MC and placed our order. BTW, we ordered just one MINI, the MCS will be later down the road

 

i hate to say it but if i could have afforded a bmw 330ci i would have gotten it instead of the mini.....
i love my mini dont get me wrong

 

In a word...no. :smile:

 

Like some of the others, I only had one mission-GET A MINI.
Jim

 

I was originally going to trade my '99 Miata in on a 2002 Limited Edition Miata but then started researching the MINI and then I test drove it, no decision after that.

 

Jetta TDI wagon.....
Bought a Cooper....then a Cooper S 6800 miles and 4 months later.

 

I knew the MINIs were there but I had a 92 Miata that satisfied my sports car addiction. Then my insurance company dropped the Miata from my policy so I had to sell. I traded my Accord for an Indi Blue Cooper. I thought about the Civic Si for about 2 seconds, 16k price sounded good, but I will keep my MINI until one of us dies. Does that make us the Fish & Chips crowd?

 

>>I knew the MINIs were there but I had a 92 Miata that satisfied my sports car addiction...

A red '92 miata w/ 45k miles is my other little toy. The two car garage is filled with the MCS and the miata and I'm convinced I can fit another one of either in somehwere... I force my parents' Lexus and Landcruiser are forced to stay out in the cold. :smile:

 

1: Acura TL - Originally my first choice - lots of luxury, enough power, reliability, reasonable price - I guess I'm just no willing to accept my age...

2: Jeep Liberty - my last car was a Ford Explorer Sport - before that a Jeep Wrangler. The Wrangler was much better quality-wise. The Liberty is, with my 1 test drive opinion, clearly a better made vehicle than the Explorer. Still, I was leaning away from SUV's and the Acura was still on top.

3: Nissan Altima 3.5 - Test drove 2.5 because dealer didn't have one. At the time I predicted there would by billions of these sold & I would have trouble locating mine in a parking lot. Still, the price was right and at the time the style appealed to me. Having now seen billions on the road I can't imagine why I liked it.

4: Infiniiti G-35 sedan - 1 test drive and no more desire for a TL. Interior styling is weak. Options push the price into high 30's. Nearly put a deposit down when;

5: Mini Cooper S - nothing was more fun. Period.

There were quite a few others (Jetta, A4, 3 series, X-type, Outback to name a few) but none were ever in contention after test driving, equiping and pricing.

In retrospect, I may have waited to drive a 350 ZX, but leather seats are only available with an automatic. The G35 Coupe wasn't around yet. i still think i'd be driving my Cooper S today.

 

I needed a semi-commuter car. I love two-seaters (fun, sporty) but that was out 'cause I still have a two teens at home and it just wasn't practical. (believe it or not, I used to own a beloved Geo Metro...peppy enough for me and it really sipped!) I would have had to get a Civic, Corolla or something...but they're getting way too big. (have you noticed this?) Being a big fan of the classic Mini, and a nostalgic lover of those great British cars where handling and not just HP was key (Sprites, Spitfires...owned one, Midgets, Alpines, etc.) the new MINI definitely caught my eye for its driveability, its fun-factor, and, really...even it's practicality. Well, what started as an interest grew into fascination, which grew into love, which grew into obsession, which grew into mania...you know the rest of the story. I'm waiting for my MINI now...just a few weeks left to go! In the end, I couldn't imagine buying another car. MINI is a dream come true!