I am all set to order an MCS PW/B Tartan Red Int. LSD/ Sport/R91's from the MCSC. . . the problem is, I don't want any regrets getting this vehicle. I can also get a Mazda3 Grand touring w/HID/Lthr/heated seats/more room/(less power) for around $20k or a used Saab 9-3 Aero (2004-2005) for about $3k less than the MINI (which is about $25k). Other cars I'm looking at include the Acura TSX, Volkswagen GTI (5 Door), and a used BMW X3. . .I have come to a point where I'm not sure what to do. . .I'm 34 and want to make sure I won't get sick of having a smaller car until the age of 41 ( . . .to some you , that's old I know). I drive alot for my job so comfort is somewhat important. I'm a real estate appraiser. . .

The problem is that I made a "contract" with my wife stating that I would keep the car for 7 Years. Is this too long for a car this small?? We don't have any kids and I feel kinda bad because my wife wants to get something "sporty" (she wants a used Boxster) and I don't really want to have 2 sports cars in the family. I figured that I would get something more "comfortable" and "fun to drive" and let her get what she wants when the time comes. But she finally said it's ok to get a MINI. . .HELP

Let's just say that I have had many more vehicles than her. . .What shoudl I do?? . . .do the "right" thing or do the "MINI" thing?? ...

 

Pretty broad selection. I get the impression from your post that you are not a real Mini enthusiast, and see do not fully appreciate the Mini "essence". For that reason, buy the used BMW X3. It has everything you could want except that certain British "je ne sais quoi" .

 

Excellent questions and yes, I thinks some of us can be objective.

If you get an MCS, the suspension, especially with the OEM RFs can be harsh. Go take a test drive and see. Go as the PASSENGER, not the driver and see how it feels to you. If you can live with the firm ride then ...

Go do a search on warranty problems here. You get a free ride for 4 years. After that, its all your nickel and you may need a lot of nickels to keep the thing repair that long. Maintenaince isn't cheap (but nothing is cheap these days either)

Now look at gas. MCS Requires Premium. Near us, its CHEAPER to drive my small SUV than the MINI because the premium gas can be up to 30 cents MORE/gallon

Finally, IMHO, 7 years is a long time to make a committment ... you got to read about all the warranty issues for 05 -06 cars. MINIs have their quirks ... many of us could care less about the quirks because the cars is so good, for others it can be a real hassle.

Take a test drive, do some research, and continue to look for unbias opinions.

BTW, WE love our car ... but are willing to live with the harsher ride, quirks, etc.

one more bit of unsolicited advice ... I have always found it better to make the wife happy than myself. She happy? Then I am happy. It pays ...!

 

I agree......if she wants a Boxster, then get the X3. That way you've got a roomy hauler and a sporty car. Two different experiences and uses. Or maybe you can get the X3 now, and spend the next year or two convincing her to get a next-gen MINI.

 

I would agree with the colonel. If you have any doubts after a test drive, definitely don't get the Mini.

 

Why do you have to keep it for 7 years? Of course, you don't have to answer that, but I ask because that could be a long time... for any car. Any car may turn into a money pit at year 5 or 6; there isn't any real good way to tell. And if you're not really into cars, and heavily vested in maintenance, it may prove ultimately cheaper to get a new car if and when that happens. In short: it seems arbitrary to say, now, that you're going to keep a car for a determined period of years... Unless you're really, really into that car (such as I am, with my MINI) and willing to make certain concessions (like perhaps retiring it to secondary status) down the road.

Also, if you are sticking to the 7 year rule, I'd stay away from used. That's 7 years of your driving piled on top of however many years/months of someone elses driving/abuse.

Other than that, Chows makes good points -- these aren't wash and wear vehicles in all cases. They've gotten significantly better, but they aren't without their quirks. you could get a perfectly operating MINI that goes above and beyond the 7 year pre-ordained lifespan with little extra cost outside of routine maintenance. Then again, you may not. And if you don't love the car, you won't likely put up with it.

Addendum: I realize that 7 years is a perfectly reasonable period of time to expect a car to run (dependant upon use) but it seems more reasonable, to me, to say; "I'd like to keep this car for 7 years... then again i don't know what I don't know." And that's true for any vehicle.

 

How used will the used x3 be? I'm not all all opposed to used cars, but if its already a few years old, then you add another 7 years to its life, it might be too old by the time you are ready to sell.

As for the Mazda3 - I love the looks of them. I keep thinking I want one. But, I drove one when I was looking for a replacement to my totaled Cooper and I just wasn't impressed. It felt a bit cheap. I desperately want to defend it because I love the looks so much.. but I don't know if I'd pick it over a MINI. The Mazda6 is a huge step up over the Mazda3. My best friend just picked up a new Mazda6 and I'm really impressed with it.

 

Too old for what? Average age of the cars I owned before my first Mini was ~30 years. Tell a Cuban that 10 years is to old for a car.

 

If you get a MINI now and your wife drives it once in a while -- she'll forget about the Boxster. Then when it's time for her car, get the X3.

 

You really need to test drive the cars. If you're a car nut and love driving, the MINI is ideal. If a car is a fashion accessory or just an appliance, the MINI isn't the right car for you.

Rawhyde

 

Yeah, have her test drive an 06 Boxster S and see what see says.

 

Why only 7 years, I'm planning on keeping my Mini much longer unless something significantly better comes along. Everybody seems to have a phobia about old cars costing so much money. I remember my 88 MR2 getting 5 or 6 years old and I was thinking about trading it in because it was getting so old. Well I decided to hold onto it because there really weren't any pther cars out there I wanted more. Well the years rolled by and nothing happened to the car. Finally when it was about 14 years old, I had to put a couple of thousand dollars into it. Finally, 18 years after I purchased, I sold it but only because I needed room for the new Mini. I would have much rather kept it. I also have and 10 year old car (96 C4S) and a 7 year old car (99 M3). Both are very reliable and have cost me very little to maintain over the years.

To address the initial question, as others have said, if you're not certain about the Mini then it's probably not for you. If your worried about comfort, than the Mini isn't the car. My wife and I never even think about comfort when we buy cars; it's all about the driving experience.

 

See https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=67350

A perfect example of MINI quirks

 

As a Cuban, I'm not sure I understand your comment....

 

If I had to spend 7 years with a car, its going to have to be one that I like. It has to be one that I can forgive it flaws, that I can love in spite of any quirks and that I will enjoy driving. Certainly, thats not going to be a Mazda 3, a perfectly good car, but not one you're going to have a love affair with. A Boxster is a great car, but if you're getting a used one, than likely you'll be dealing with a 10+ year old car at the end and with Porsches, thats likely to be expensive. Likewise an X3, when out of warranty is going to be expensive. AWD means more stuff to go wrong. The MINI, won't be cheap, but its not in the $$$ league with the others. If I we're in this position (and perhaps I am as I've sworn to keep my MCS for as long as possible) I would choose the MINI as its the most likely to keep me satisified the longest for the least amount of dough.

Given that all these cars are completely different and have little in common other than 4 wheels, its pretty difficult to be 'objective' as its a little hard to figure out exactly what your objective is. That said, life's a gamble. Is a used Boxster or X3 more risky than a new MCS? Hard to say. Best of luck.

 

Wolke9 have you test driven the MINI yet? It isn't the most comfortable car in the new car range by a long shot. The sport suspension is very bouncy and the run flat tires make it even more violent over pot holes and bad roads. Taken into account that you drive a lot and you are looking for comfort, the MINI wouldn't be my first choice if I were you.

Now if you have driven the MINI and every second in it gives you a koolaid smile then all of the above may not matter. The MCS is super perky in the city and it loves the highway too. The previous poster mentioned that it doesn't seem like you are an enthusiast but please don't take that the wrong way. It's just that MINI enthusiasts are totally in love with their cars and they love the way it handles (bouncy or not) and a lot of them modify them for racing or for higher performance. The MINI Cooper by BMW is the new European mustang because parts are readily available for very reasonable prices to modify, trick out, or customize six million ways to sundown.

It is definitely a different kind of car culture. You don't have to participate but you'd be missing out on a lot of really good information and really interesting people if you don't hook up with a MINI car club.

I don't mean to discourage you but if you don't have a constant state of euphoria while driving it then you aren't going to enjoy it on long trips. For single people or people without kids it's a fine car. I buy a lot of stuff and I'm always amazed at how much I can fit in the boot (trunk), and when it doesn't fit there I lay down the back seats and load her up. She doesn't get great gas mileage (21 to 23 mpg in the city in automatic) but she's no gas hog either with the spirited driving I do. MINI owners that drive the MCS with manual transmission get between 25 and 30mpg mixed.

Like I said in the title, you have GOT to love this car to own it. Oh and your co-workers and friends may rib you about it being girlie, challenge your manhood/machismo, and or call it cute a lot. If you've got any insecurities that relate to what kind of image your car portrays you as then I'd steer clear of it. I can look my friends and co-workers straight in the eye as they tease and rib me and I'd just laugh it off. Some people get really bent about it though. Just a warning.

If you are in love with it then I think you'll be very happy with it. Just also be warned of the BMW warranty because if you modify it at all most BMW dealers will void the warranty on it. just my $0.02.

 

If you lived in Cuba you would...

 

32 years of driving and this is the first car (mine's an 02) that I've had that I still love to drive everyday. Quirks or not, I'm keeping this car for awhile. Some day, when I get the extra cash, I wanna get a newer Vette. If I ever do the Mini will have someone to hang with in the garage.

 

looking at your options, i would suggest you just get a maz3. you're not really a
car enthusiast. get something practical and something that can carry stuff.

maz3's wagon have nice interiors.

 

first of all, let me clarify something. I AM a car enthusiast! I have been on the track several times w/ my previous cars. . an '02 Civic Si and '00 GTI VR6. I love to drive more than anything else in this world and can't wait for the next corner or apex to clip. I do this each and every day. I live and breathe cars. I'm probably more of an enthusiast than some of the members on here!

and yes. . I do get that "Kool-Aid" smile every time I drive the MINI. I have test driven the MCS at least 3 times and loved every minute of it. I have even gone to an Alta pulley swap locally even though I didn't have a MINI!!!

My problem (maybe not to some) is that I get into and out of cars frequently and it's putting a strain on my marriage ( don't laugh!!). I need to keep my next car for a while and it has to do a little bit of everything. My biggest concern isn't around town but on longer trips. I'm aware of the warranty and $$ but I am also very much an "individual" and don't like seeing the same car I drive driving down the road every day.

I have been in and around cars my entire life. . .my father had his own Corvette shop for 30 Years--Thats probably where I get it from .

Sorry for rambling and thanks for the advice so far. Just trying to do my research to the nth power this time!!

 

^^ Well in that case: get the MINI!

I spent 6 weeks in it a couple summers ago, driving around the country -- it was perfect. And the esteemed Clover makes the corss country haul every year. MINIs are GREAT for long trips!

 

MINI. No doubt. Mazda3, X3, etc. are not enthusiast cars.

 

One other thing to consider, even if you don't keep the Mini for years you'll be better off with the Mini due to resale value. Let's say, in a few years you decide it's not the car for you. Given the past resale history of the Mini you're much more likely to get more money for the Mini than for the Mazda and especially the Saab. Your wife won't be complaining quite so loudly if you only loose 20-40% in a few years rather than the heavy hit I bet you took on the GTI.

 

With me, as soon as I looked at the MINI I knew that's what I wanted. The fact that it turned out to be a great car was just a side benefit.

 

Dear Wolke9,

This is my first post here at NAM, but after reading this string I had to jump in after lurking here at NAM for a month. Like you I struggled with my Mini purchase. I've been a car enthusiast for years, but I'm also married and a parent of a 2 year old. I commute 20 miles to work each day and like you was considering several cars/SUVs. I can honestly say that I have no regrets about my Mini purchase. I've had my DS/Blk MCS for a month and my wife always knows that I've taken the long way home because of the silly grin on my face.

My wife origninally had concerns about the Mini, until she had a chance to inspect and drive one. Note: She is NOT a car enthusiast! However, having her actively particpate in the decision making process was key to maintaining my marital bliss. After her test drive she walked up to me and said; "You're a fool if you don't buy this car!" The rest as they say is history...

Good luck with your decision.