R50/53 Fun but not too reliable...

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May 3, 2006 | 04:58 PM

#51

Motor On

6th Gear

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Quote:

Originally Posted by chows4us

Quite a few. Go read some Vette boards. Their following is like a holy religion. Read the P car boards ... 911 owners total fanatics. Read how many 987 owners have 3 and 4 cars. Read how many people buy one for the kids, a cabrio for the wife, etc. Now go to the Elise board ... TOTAL FANATICs ... some would NEVER touch another car despite the thing being pretty worthless for daily driving and they are making huge sacrifices in terms of practicality to be a daily driver ... Even the Mustang forums are hot and heavy.

etc. etc. etc.

Sorry, I see the same "fanaticism" in other forums as well. Each culture has its own set of "fans". Now MINI culture might be a bit more "helpful" but those other fan bases also xcross, also do track days, also do Rallies, etc. etc. etc.

To each their own

With the expception of possibly the mustang each of those cars mention costs double what I paid for my MCS showroom stock, brand new.

But then again I think I've probably reached the point of being a MINI fanatic.

May 4, 2006 | 11:55 AM

#52

scooterboy

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Joined: Mar 2003

Posts: 1,147

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From: New Hampshire

Just another data point for you:

2003 MC, 82,000 miles. Still runs like a top, never been stranded, only two parts repaired/replaced: 1 door switch, 1 O2 sensor.

May 4, 2006 | 12:06 PM

#53

DownSize

3rd Gear

Joined: Apr 2006

Posts: 277

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From: Chicago Area

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Obnxs

Tires will be worn, as the car is a blast to turn
Matt

That is an awesome quote! May I use it in my sig?

May 4, 2006 | 12:08 PM

#54

chows4us

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Quote:

Originally Posted by motor on

I only mentioned those because one tends to read about cars you might "wish" to own, not ones you can afford

I would bet you would find the same fanaticism for the Cobalt SS, etc.

May 4, 2006 | 12:26 PM

#55

Rastven

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Joined: Feb 2006

Posts: 529

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From: South Orange, NJ

Quote:

Originally Posted by chows4us

I would bet you would find the same fanaticism for the Cobalt SS, etc.

Yes and no. My brother-in-law comes from the Japanese tuner world, in fact he's still in it, and for those guys it's not as much about driving as it is about making the cars go fast and look really cool.
The Mini and MINI worlds are all about the driving, IMO. Sure people wanna go fast and look cool but that's not what motivates people. Same with all the people in the more expensive cars that you mentioned. They own them for the experience of driving them.

How many Civic, Cobalt SS or other generic tuner car clubs are going to the Dragon? I'd bet zero, they are all going to 1/4 mile and cruising events because A the cars aren't that great to drive and B it's a tuner/show off culture.

May 4, 2006 | 12:47 PM

#56

chows4us

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Rastven

How many Civic, Cobalt SS or other generic tuner car clubs are going to the Dragon? .

A valid point but it doesn't make them any less "enthusiastic".

Its mostly sports cars at the Dragon ... Elise, Miata, S2000, Cobras, Vettes, etc. In fact, I think MINI is about the only "sedan"?

May 4, 2006 | 01:02 PM

#57

Rastven

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Joined: Feb 2006

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From: South Orange, NJ

Quote:

Originally Posted by chows4us

A valid point but it doesn't make them any less "enthusiastic".

Its mostly sports cars at the Dragon ... Elise, Miata, S2000, Cobras, Vettes, etc. In fact, I think MINI is about the only "sedan"?

I don't think those people aren't enthusiastic, I just think it's a very different enthusiast culture. Lots of the Japanese (seriously, the censor won't allow ***?) tuner guys will hop brands, move to the next hot thing etc, etc. Mini people and those in Porsche's etc, etc tend to stay true to a make because of the experience.

"Sedan" is right

May 4, 2006 | 01:32 PM

#58

nolimit

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Joined: Oct 2002

Posts: 476

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From: Fairbanks,Alaska

Quote:

Originally Posted by chows4us

A valid point but it doesn't make them any less "enthusiastic".

Its mostly sports cars at the Dragon ... Elise, Miata, S2000, Cobras, Vettes, etc. In fact, I think MINI is about the only "sedan"?

Can you explain haow a 2 door Hatch back is a "sedan" and not a Coupe?

May 4, 2006 | 01:59 PM

#59

chows4us

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Quote:

Originally Posted by nolimit

Can you explain haow a 2 door Hatch back is a "sedan" and not a Coupe?

Your right, "sedan" is not correct. That is why I had quotes around it questioning the word. It is a 3 door hatchback. That is correct. It is not a coupe. Coupes have real trucks ala Accord Coupe, etc.

May 4, 2006 | 02:00 PM

#60

chows4us

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Rastven

I don't think those people aren't enthusiastic, ... Mini people and those in Porsche's etc, etc tend to stay true to a make because of the experience.

Agreed!

May 4, 2006 | 02:20 PM

#61

jdmarino

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Joined: Sep 2005

Posts: 312

Likes: 1

From: NY

Quote:

Yes any MINI dealership will do the warranty work with no additional cost, but they may not give you a loaner if it is not where you bought the car.

I don't get a loaner even though service and dealer are the same for me.

Quote:

The Honda is like an appliance, super reliable, less expensive, high tech and NO SOUL.

I've twice shopped for cars by starting shopping with Japanese and ending with European (Passat, MCS) for that exact reason. The Japanese cars were missing something in effable.

May 4, 2006 | 06:09 PM

#62

superflysarah04

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Joined: Aug 2005

Posts: 42

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From: Seattle, WA

Our MINI is great, no problems. We have the first production wek of 2006, the last year with the superchargers. Next year, 2007 models will be a new design with a new turbocharged engine. If I were you, I would get a 2006 before they change things, and have to work out the bugs on a new engine.

The warranty is cool, no maintenance costs other than tires. Might be worth it to extend the warranty for an extra year, if costs are an issue for you.

It is without a doubt the funnest, coolest car we have ever driven. Couldnt be any happier. Take one for a long test drive and we're pretty sure you will buy one.

Good Luck!