I've been lurking for awhile and think I'm close to ordering.
I need to make a few major decisions first.
I really want a Cooper S, but Liquid Yellow is my fave color and not offered on the S. So I'm going to test drive today to see how much difference there is in the handling/power.
I also love the Cool Blue, but my husband had pretty much put his foot down on the convertible. He has issues about the safety factor of convertibles in general and I don't know that I really want a convertible that badly. He never gets adamant about much of anything, so I feel like I should give on this one.
I also can't decide between the auto or manual transmission. I really love driving a stick, but with Atlanta area traffic I'm not sure if it's a good idea.
I currently drive a 2001 PT Cruiser, which I love and will be keeping so will be driving it when I have to sit in traffic or haul a big load from Sam's or the feed store! I bought my husband a Nissan Titan for Father's Day and that is our big vehicle for obvious reasons!
I guess what it boils down to is that I don't "love" any of the colors offered in the MCS and hate to settle. BRG has always been a love of mine, but I don't think the Mini BRG is "true". I like it but it's not what I think of when I picture BRG.
I'm not sure any of you can give advice on these personal taste type of questions, but I just thought I'd vent to the people out there who would understand how important these things can be
Happy to have found this club!
Annette Holbrook
Alpharetta GA

 

I never was inclined to a soft top here in NY, and the sunroof is huge, IMO, so I wouldn't fret.

Power and transmission are issues. If you like the MINI b/c it's cute, you can skip the CooperS. I like the MCS b/c it's cute on the outside, but roars un the inside. If that second part is not that important to you, go for your color choice. (Color, to me, was secondary.)

As for manual/auto: I went with the stick not knowing how to drive one. This was based on my idea that I should learn and that some driving will be made more fun at the expense of other driving (city) being made less fun.


(FYI: I still don't have my MCS; it's on the boat. My advice is based on the thought processes I used at coming to a decision, not subsequent experience. Your mileage may vary.)

 

Welcome Aboard - glad you found us!!! :smile: NAM is a great place for info. and getting to know LOTS of other MINIacs...

All of your questions and concerns have been asked by many - so don't feel like you are alone...:smile: Color always seems to be the BIGGEST decision for us MINI peeps. Such a personal choice. Same with Automatic vs. stick - it's all in what YOU want. I personally love driving a stick - even in this So Cal traffic....let us know what your final specs are....

Donna

 

On the tranny decision, you should test drive the auto. I had one as a loaner while some work was being done on my car (6 speed) and I HATED it. Others LOVE the auto tranny, so that is something that has to be experienced first. If power is no object (how can that even be a valid statement?! ), then go with the MC, since they have the color you want. The best part is, no matter what you end up with, you'll LOVE it!

 

Good point about the MC vs MCS debate. If the #1 main reason you're getting the MC is because of it's looks, then you're probably more inclined not to miss the power of the MCS. For me, after driving a V8 truck that runs high 14's in the 1/4 mile (Pre '05 Mustang GT speed approx), and getting used to how that allows you to merge into and out of traffic on your own terms, I had to go with the MCS. Plus, speed to me = a lot more fun! =)

As far as the manual vs. auto trans goes. I'm 28 now, and have been driving Auto's for 13 years, but am fairly competant with a manual, though never owned one. I'm getting the mini by and large for it's driving fun factor. After test driving the MCS twice, with the 6 speed, I'm certain that shifting through the gears will be a LOT more fun than letting the auto do it for me (even considering the clutchless paddle-shifted auto). So for max fun, get the manual. And consider the clutch pedal on the Mini is fairly light, so having to get it down a lot in traffic probably won't make your leg too sore. And I'm getting cruise as well, so highway runs in 6th gear will be the same basically as with an auto once cruise is set.

 

The same question also came to us when we are deciding on convertible or not.. since convertible don't have curtain airbags and don't know how rigid can the convertible can survive from a side impact.. Also, when we test drive the convertible in winter, there are constant squeaking noise comming from the convertible frame.. due to all these reasons, we pick the hard top (with roof) instead of the convertible.

 

Ok, just got back from a day of test driving, what a great way to spend the day!
We really enjoyed both the manual and the auto, but decided that we would really enjoy the manual in the long run, so that decision is made!
The convertible is out, we really liked them, I loved the lines, but the rear visibility was an issue and DH still says he'd never relax if I was out and about in it.
We both agreed that there was no contest when it came to the S, the S won hands down since we both like the added umph!
The funniest part was that by the time we left, all of the colors had "grown" on my husband and he couldn't decide which one he liked best. We both liked the Astro Black, the deep blue within the black was cool, but we both knew that it's not practical for us.
He really liked BRG, as did I and it's still in the running.
What surprised us both was how much we liked the White Pepper, it's a very warm white and we are now both leaning toward that! Go figure, it wasn't even on our short list when we started!
Hopefully I can make my decision in the next few days and get the order done!
Thanks all for the great insight, I'll keep y'all posted on the outcome!
Annette

 

Re the shifter vs. the auto....I HATE automatics...that being said, the only one I ever owned was when I lived in Atlanta. A year of living with an old BMW 2002 in that traffic was enough for me. So you have to weigh that God-Awful Atlanta traffic vs. the fun of an occasional jaunt into the country....no matter how far away you might have to go to get there.

Of course, if u keep the Cruiser, maybe the MINI is just for fun, in that case go with what you enjoy the most.

I solved the problem by moving to the mountains of Western NC and now all 4 of our cars are sticks.

Cheers,

 

Sounds like it was a fun time at the dealership! I think pepper white probably surprises a lot of people when they see it in person for the first time. Very rich and creamy, and really not even close to white. I find it particularly striking with the black roof.

 

Annette,

Here are some photos of pepper white to help you out. MORE HERE

 

Funny, I own a 2001 black PT too. I know most here hate them but I still love that car. In fact, the main reason I loved that car as I do the Mini is because of the modifications, both exterior and interior you can do to them. I always have owned sticks since they always have better pickup off the line than automatics. In fact, the manual PT is extremely quicker than the auto. I have 5 months left on my PT payment so I will be ordering my Mini next month. Like you, I am going crazy trying to figure what color I want. One day I'm pepper white with black top, the next day red with black top, the following BRG with black top. Even when I finally decide, i know I will be second guessing myself. You know that saying...stand up or sit down, just don't wobble..I'm a major wobbler on this..ARGH!!! Anyway, good luck with your Mini!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I bought a LY/B 03 MCS and I love it. But, I had a hard time between that and CR/W and then later out comes PW/B which I really like a LOT. (See Dave's photos above). Just wish I had a lot of money so I could have a lot of MINIs.

Earl

Sorry, forgot to say welcome to NAM

Go for the PW/B and if in four or five months you don't like it you can give it to me

 

I understand the LY problem. We ordered an '05 to ensure we could get the LY/B for our MCSa. Of course, after it arrived a PW/B was also sitting there and my wife decided her next one would be PW/B. Go figure.

As far as the auto transmission, there was never a question about it after the test drive. It gave us all the performance for our style of driving and definitely pleased my wife who provides half of the car payment. We have only driven about 400 miles in it since Friday evening, but so far, the auto was still a good choice for us. When in manual mode, it shifts quick enough and is a blast to drive. Our 330Ci beemer had a similar transmission (5sp) so we know what it would offer.

 

Lots of good feed-back so far and my $.02 may just muddy the water but We looked several years and finally made the jump and ended up with a 05' MCSa. The auto is a six speed that can be shifted with wheel mounted paddle shifter or on the console with the shift lever or let it do it's own thing which it dose with a sense of eagerness. I do love to mix the gears but this 6 speed auto is the sweetest auto I have ever owned and it shifts much more like a stick would be driven keeping the revs close to 2k at any given time. You can't go wrong with the handling and FUN with whatever options you choose. BTW I have owned a convertible for the last 16 years and they are fun but not a long term daily driver IMHO. Tops do have to be reolaced from time to time but then what doesn't come with a cost attached somewhere ? All the best with your choice.

Multum in Parvo