If you don't have ***** at 23? Get ***** and then get a mini!!
Sweetdreams Miniac91 No advice might be a help!!

 

if i could afford to just 'get *****' then i would. but at this point in my life, i'm saving up for grad school and don't have the luxury to just "get *****". which is why i'm trying to find a happy medium between making myself happy and not getting broke in the future from having to take my car to the mechanic constantly. if i were to get a mc, it'd be my primary means of transportation, not just a weekend car.

i hope this clarifies my situation, which is why i needed some honest feedback on the mc.

by the way, does anyone know when the '04's are coming out?

thanks.

 

The 2004s will be available in September, 2003. Of course, unless it's a pre-order (or a mid-late summer order), you won't see a 2004 until likely October.

I'm tempted to say that I agree with everyone in this post, but it seems that every varing opinion has been voiced. Based on this discussion, MINIs are OR are not everything. Strangely though, everyone seems to agree that whether or not the MINI is the greatest car on the planet, you should buy one. Oh, and also the consensus of the group is that you should absolutely buy a MCS or a Cooper with a 5 speed, 6 speed, or CVT. Right...

One editorial comment that I will make is re. the JD Power data. Contrary to one poster, I'd pay attention to this over the "car of the year" designation. "Car of the Year" is about marketing (assigned by automotive journalists and car dealers!) The JD Power data is a statistically accurate survey of existing owners...IMO a more accurate rating than what you might accumulate from reading MCO.

 

Remember that the JD Power ratings were done on 02 MINIs that still had some bugs to work out and also JD Power has been rumored to receive kickbacks from some manufactures. Get info from multiple sources before making a decision.

Cup holders: What everyone failed to mention was that the front cup holders hold cans perfectly, no they won't hold a big gulp from 7-11 or a Grande Mocha from Starbucks but they do hold the MINI cup well. The one in the between the seats works very well. I also have to admit that I have forgotten drinks in this car, driving is too much fun.

Seats: I've driven on a 7 hour drive with the wife and neither one of us had comfort problems, I've had adults ride in the back seat for up to an hour with no problems. I would not recommend long drives in the back seats.

Storage: The glove box will dump things on the floor, get the organizer for like $25 and it works great!!! Side pockets hold garage door opener, cell phone, etc. If you still need space for $70 you can remove the front bolster under the steering wheel and replace with the Euro shelf or for some more money you can get an arm rest with storage.

Problems: 9200 miles and not one single problem!

Dealer: my dealer sucked and I haven't had it in for service yet.

Performance: I drive an MCS and it is just great! I had a 99 Miata before this which I loved but I like my MCS better.

 

Cupholders??!! Does my MCS have Cupholders??!!! Like my Belgian friend says, "You don't have a steering wheel on your coffee table do you?"

 

the mini w/s are the same as any other car. we think the angle has something to do with the cracks and chips. and there are no aftermarket shields that i know of.
the cold starting problem can be eliminated (if there is one, some cars have no problems) by taking it to your dealer and having them reprogram the dme with the updated software.

 

I haven't had any storage problems really. I've been able to get 4 bags of groceries and a 45lb bag of dog food in the boot. Also, I've had 6'+ people in the back with no real comfort issues.

When my husband and I drove up to San Francisco this last weekend. We had 3 backpacks and some professional video equipment in the boot, plus both of my big dogs (one is a Golden Retriever/Chow mix that is a bit on the heavy side, the other is a black lab).

Now, I wouldn't suggest shoving your 85 year old granny in there with her walker, only because you might not be able to get her out afterwards - but no really issues to speak of. Oh, also, I wouldn't use it for those big trips to the local Home Depot, but other than that - not a big issue.

 

I haven't read anything about style, the looks of the car.

There are many cars that I could have bought that would have matched the power, speed, storage, seating of my MCS, but none that even came close to the style of the vehicle. I looked for over a year at all of the different models on the road. Every single car had it's drawbacks and the Mini is no different. You either accept the drawbacks or move on to the next car.

For me a lot of it is about opening the front door and seeing my car at the curb. It's not some econo-box, or some generic can't-quite-tell-what-it-is car. It has a style all its own and a uniqueness about it that makes me happy every time I see it. And this is not just about the outside, the inside of this car is well laid out and roomy, it is a joy to drive as well as see.

You're going to spend a good chunk of money on this car and I would take the style and looks into consideration, perhaps you already have. The car makes me smile, makes me happy to be driving. That's what made me buy it.

Good luck, I hope you buy an S. I can't imagine that you will ever regret it.

 

linda
1. the rear seats they suck , they are useless.
2. cupholders , they suck don't use them
3. lack of storage space in front and rear...............yes
4. problems with the car ..........yes
5. dealer service........not great, i take mine to aftermarket shops
that being said, i traded to a mini from a mustang, had it for 10 years, no probs, big trunk, med back seat, why ??
minis are FUN, handle great, what you save in gas costs you can spend to modify
you might just like it
boxcars
6. performance (in terms of hp, the 115 on the MC sounded kinda weak, and no, i cannot drive a stick unfortunately)

 

Wow, 5 years too late.

I wonder if lindaroo decided on the MINI (I'm guessing no after looking at her post count).

 

Haha that cracks me up when old threads get raised to the top and someone rants away. Makes me wonder what they were searching for when they stumbled upon this thread and thought "I should express an opinion here".