Curious about giving-up a 4x4 for the Mini and not being able to go off-road, or on fire roads, etc. that Minis just aren't made for. I still have a 4Runner and need it for business, but the thought does run through my mind of a time when it might not be necessary. Of course, I think my travels will then be limited.

Did you give-up a 4x4...and what do you think now?

 

I have a problem with losing money on a vehicle, so if I can't get all of my money back, I keep them, but the problem now is I think of what I could have for all the money sitting in my garage, I now have 2 4x4s and 4 cars and I drive an 85 Oldsmobile as a daily driver, go figure.

If I was to sell only 4 of them, I could buy myself the new coming M6.

I'd say keep the 4x4 but do buy a MINI, you'll never regret it.

 

Not a bona fide 4x4 but I traded an 04 Infiniti FX 35 AWD which I loved. It was the best handling "big car" I have ever had. It was built on the Z platform which was shared by the G 35. It was fast and cornered well, especially for a SUV but it was thirsty at the time when gas shot up. I loved it but I love the MINI way more. I haven't missed the $50 fillups 3x a week. I love the MINI and with a little ingenuity I can haul a bunch of stuff, The Dog or haul *ss with no sweat. MINI FOR LIFE!
PS. I slapped on a set of Michelin Pilot Alpins and I'll take on any 4x4 in snow and ice(up to 4 inches deep of course) from a standing start and whip they *ss!!! lol

 

I sold my 4runner in preperation for the MINI, but I never took it off-roading... didn't seem right as it was a Limited edition and seemed too luxury to take off-roading. I'm thinking about getting a Wrangler once I have my own place and can accomodate 2 cars.

 

I had 2005 Mercedes ML 350 prior to my MCS. I miss it because it was a Mercedes but i don't miss it's gas milage and unnecessary space that i never needed.

 

Not really an SUV, but I went from a Subaru Outback Sport to the MINI. Well, technically I went from Subaru to no-car-using-SO's-car to MINI. I think the one thing I miss is that occasionally, I spin the front wheels on the MINI when starting out because I was a bit...enthusiastic trying to get into gear.

 

14 years with a range rover. i was looking around for another vehicle and when i first drove a mini i knew it was the one car that could happily replace the rover. waited for mini's second year... i did for a moment consider a subaru for its versatility and all wheel drive but i drove the mini and the subaru back to back and the mini is just alot more of what i wanted. i prefer the british-german feel and handling.

things i miss: although i am not an advocate of off roading (from an environmental point of view) i enjoy getting way out into the back country on foot (or horse) in the sierras and i did use the rover to travel on inaccessible roads in order to get closer to trail heads, stretch out in the back for the first night's sleep to acclimate at 8000 feet before donning boots and pack. i also hauled alot of stuff, mostly firewood and building supplies which was really convenient. and i loved the unique handling of the rover and its ability to go anywhere in any weather.

having said that, i'm really happy with the mini with no regrets. its handling is amazing. its easy to rent or borrow a pickup truck if i need one. i've travelled through numerous snow storms in the mini with no problem and its really fun on long trips. i'm amazed at how i don't tire of driving the mini and i always find enough space for gear. i've even, with the seats down, crashed for a few hours in the back (feet between the front seats). the gas mileage could be improved upon given the size of the car, however its nothing like the expense of an 8 cylinder. i think it could be greener in terms of pollutants also.

so i would say that if you are not going off road frequently dump the 4x4. its wasteful, polluting and not nearly as much fun to drive.
just my 2 cents worth.

 

i drove around in a 4x4 for a few years b4 the mcs.

what i do miss is space in the car, boot space etc.
Also things like speed bumps, pot holes, road islands etc did not exist to me during those years.

It was one of the biggest culture shocks switching from a Landcruiser to the mini. I love my car, but the lack of space in the car still gets to me at times.

 

before the MINI, i had a Isuzu Rodeo... actually bought it 3 months before putting my deposit down on the MINI. lost money on the trade but never looked back.

before the Rodeo, I had a Nissan Pathfinder and before that a Chevy (gasp!) Blazer.

don't miss any of those at all.

 

I had a series of Jeep Cherokees and finally an F-150 before "downsizing". I miss the utility of the other vehicles, but the MINI's just too much fun to drive! I plan on buying a sub-$1k beater truck this spring for use around the house and hauling the dogs, however...

 

I didn't know they had hillbillies up in Canada. How many of those cars up on blocks? Wife must be pretty understanding.

Still got my '90 4X4 full size GMC pick-up. Luv the MINI when its not in the shop, but won't go through 15" of snow or carry a half ton of cement blocks. Also hate to subject it to road salt in the winter.

 

Not me

 

Us hillbillys put our convertibles up on blocks and drive our allwheel drives thru the snow in the winter although I was washing the car in the drive yesterday.Hillbillys rule!

 

I had a Tahoe that I put 165K on before the Mini....... I had property that i had to get out on and needed the 4x4. I sold the Tahoe bought the Mini and a Lexus sport cross wagon. I found the Sport Cross lacking in the utility dept for my needs so I bouhght an Xterra which i like very much. I mt bike and kayak and other stuff. I love the Mini but especially since it is lowered with PSS9s.... it can't get off the pavement. I found that I had to have both. It all depends on your requirements...... The Mini gives the most GPG (grins per gallon) of anything I have owned. I am hoping for a 4X4 "traveler"....wouldn't that be cool?

 

I gave up my Land Rover Freelander for the MINI and am pretty happy with the change. The MINI brings a smile every time I drive it, the mileage is better without even trying (17-18 in the Freebie, 22-25 in the MINI, same use), and with the ContiSport snow tires, I can drive the MINI every day and not worry about conditions. I'll miss the space for our trips down south, but relish the chance to pack the family into the MINI (and get the roof rack for the trip)!
I do miss the heated seats of the Freelander...bought the MINI used so that I could get the S and the options that I wanted...

 

Not me! I kept the old beast, but now I only drive it when I need to go somewhere or carry something that the MINI cannot!

 

We got a 2005mcsa in March of this year. I won't get rid of the 2001 Yukon XL. No way. The mini is a lot of fun, but in the Northeast, it just is not a 12 month car ( I know snow tires, but getting hit would be the bigger shame ). Also, these serve 2 different purposes, and I consider each one of the best examples of their vehicle class.

RY

 

We kept our Durango - it sits most of the time - but it has come in handy NUMEROUS times for hauling lots of people and just plain stuff..

Donna

 

We got rid of a Ford Ramger for the MCS. It was the best thing we ever did.

 

I love the def 90

 

I went from this

To this


To this


I sometimes miss my truck (not the V10 gas mileage), but have access to my parents Tundra. I am surprised at how much my little Mini can haul though.

 

Someone stop the pain!! I too am a MCS convert, gave up my Ford Ranger, but in no way could I ever give up my 4X4. I have a 72 Ford Bronco and a 2001 Tahoe (wifes).

Just like the MCS serves the purpose of a daily driver and curve carver, the Bronco serves the weekend warrior niche. MCS is a blast to drive on the pavement but my Bronco brings a completely different kind of enjoyment.

 

like minibot, the Subie bit the dust when we got the MINI. Unlike minibot, we still have the Subie; it's just not used unless the weatrher's crappy :P

 

Gave up a 02 Ranger that I had for a year. I wissh i could have both but the MCS is so much fun to drive

 

We had a Yukon 4x4 when we bought the MINI as a fun weekend car. The Yukon was for skiing and hauling kids. Drove the MINI so much we got rid of the Yukon and don't miss it a bit. It was like sitting on a sofa and driving your living room around.