I am going to buy a mini but need some input about the automatic transmission mini- I am now driving a 15 yr old manual transmission toyota with 36,000 miles(not 136- that's 36!)I commute 2 miles to work and use my car for food shopping and to go to the mall(my husband's car is the car we use for any big trips) I"m going to test drive both- but wanted to hear from someone who has an automatic how it runs, & for my driving needs if that's the way to go. Any other suggestions welcome! Thanks!

 

i have an automatic. i dont like it... i feel kinda detatched from the car in a way. the steptronic doesnt even do it for me anymore either.
i say manual hands down.. :smile:
i guess it also depends on wether or not you really like to drive. i love driving and automatic just isnt enough for me. if you dont go out and drive just for the fun of it and want the mini because of the way it looks or something then i'd say automatic.. or also if theres a lot of traffic where you live.
_________________

 

What are you going to do with the Toyota?
From the sound of your driving habits...CVT.

 

if i end up going for the stick my husband and daughter can practice on the toyota!

 

>>if i end up going for the stick my husband and daughter can practice on the toyota!

hell yeah!
my friend was like "so when you get your mcs can you teach me stick?"

 

>>I am going to buy a mini but need some input about the automatic transmission mini- I am now driving a 15 yr old manual transmission toyota with 36,000 miles(not 136- that's 36!)I commute 2 miles to work and use my car for food shopping and to go to the mall(my husband's car is the car we use for any big trips) I"m going to test drive both- but wanted to hear from someone who has an automatic how it runs, & for my driving needs if that's the way to go. Any other suggestions welcome! Thanks!
>>

You probably might get quite a varience of opinions with this question. On other car forums, there were always battles between ATX and MTX owners. Hope this doesn't turn into such. Hope we're more civilized on this board than others.
IMO, I'd say go with what makes you feel best when driving. If you're using the car just for short point-A to point-B commutes, and don't want to be bothered with shifting back and forth constantly, than the CVT(automatic) tranny choice may be best.
But on the other hand, the manual tranny choice is A LOT more fun to drive, with being able to really control your shift points. The CVT has this option, but it's just not the same.
There's a fun factor on both choices of tranny types. It's still possible to have fun with the CVT version.
Now don't get me wrong, this isn't a flame war towards those who have the CVT MINI. I'm just saying polightly that the two manual shifting experiences aren't the same, when comparing the 5sp or 6sp to the CVT.
Good to see that you're going to try out both. That would be my opinion for you as well. That way you're able to see for yourself what's best and how they differ.
But the CVT takes a bit more of adjusting to, I found. So maybe give that test a little while more to get a good feel of how to work it.
I'm really enjoying my 6sp MCS right now. Couldn't see it driving any other way. But then that's just me.
Cheers,

 

Hey there,
As you will discover when you test drive it, the auto tranny will be unlike ANY you have ever owned. There is no disctinct "shifting". It's more like driving an electric golf cart, if you've ever had the experience. I test drove both, and opted for the manual. I enjoy driving a stick, and it's never a labor for me. Good luck!

Jim

 

When I bought my Miata I asked "why is it available with an automatic or any color but red?"

I accept different colors for MINI, but an auto???

Buy a Civic or a Toyota or a Sub-ru.... :smile:

 

...but a honda, toyoyta & subaru don't make me smile when i look at them...i am more into aesthetics than driving- i just need to get from point a to point b and want a car that is small, and the mini is small & great looking too :smile: :smile: :smile: :smile:

 

Sounds like you want a cute, but small car. Get a VW Bug or maybe even a Neon. If, however, you have your heart set on a MINI...Go manual!!!!

 

>>...but a honda, toyoyta & subaru don't make me smile when i look at them...i am more into aesthetics than driving- i just need to get from point a to point b and want a car that is small, and the mini is small & great looking too :smile: :smile: :smile: :smile:


NO! Don't get a Toyota, Honda or any other car! You are perfect for the MINI! It's a 10 on the Smile Scale! Pass that Toyota to the kids and you get a MINI for your running around! Test drive both the Auto and Shift! See which one you like!

For me, I'd like to be able to down shift and up shift as I need power. I don't want to ride around with my foot on the brake! I want to ride around with my hand on the shifter! I plan on getting a MCS because of it's 6 speed!

 

For me is not a choice, gotta go with the manual...its all I've ever owned for the last 24 years and several vehicles...

For you, go with what you *enjoy* driving!!!

Good luck and I hope you don't have to wait toooooo long for your baby!

Cheers,

chef

 

Either way you do it - the mini is a great car! I have the manual. It works. But I only have it b/c of so many trips I take that cause me to sit in traffic. If you don't have to deal with constant stop and go traffic - go manual!

 

Sounds like we're in a similar boat. I work out of my home and only use my car for trips where I have to (errands). Otherwise my husband's truck is in full use. BUT, I opted for the manual (there's no other choice for me with this type of car). I'm guessing I will be doing much more joy riding than I did before just because of the fun factor. My husband wanted me to go with automatic (he's not well versed at stick and I think he's thinking of his own enjoyment... HA!!!), but this was not an option for me. I think your mind is already made up, but glad to hear you are going to test drive both. Manual makes you feel more one with the car, so if you're getting it more for the look than the drive, I don't think it will matter for you. I personally would say, "What a waste of a fun car!" but YOU'RE the one who will be driving it.

Also - just a point to be aware of that I did not see mentioned, only the base Cooper (not the Cooper S) comes with the option of CVT. If you want a Cooper S, you will be forced to go with manual.

Go with your gut on this - only you're gonna know what you should do!

Good luck on your decision and Motor On! SUZIE :smile:

 

I have a 5 sp cooper and I test drove the cvt, it wasn't as fun. At first I wanted the cvt but it felt like it was missing something. The manual in this car is so fun to drive and the shifts are so smooth. The manual isn't that bad in traffic, I drive my mini in city traffic all the time and its easier to drive in traffic then other manuals I've driven

 

I've got the CVT and I like it just fine; I commute in a town with lottsa hills, and driving it is less fatiguing with the CVT. All but two of my cars have been stick, including classic Minis and more sports cars than I care to remember, and If I need that manual high, I've got other options. ( I can swipe my son's '03 "S" ! )The CVT is not like the others, and I don't feel disconnected at all. The MINI is really about cornering and handling, and the CVT doesn't detract from this for me. Test drive 'em both, and get what you like. You won't be disappointed.

BCNU,
Rob in Dago

 

hey, ive been driving stick for a week now, and i wouldnt go to automatic til i have kids. a fun car deserves everything else fun, including transmission. im glad i got it, i love driving stick with this car. i literally find excuses to go out and drive it. :smile:
jess

 

>> i literally find excuses to go out and drive it. :smile:
>>jess

NO LIE... my buddy's left stuff in my car and i've been using that as an excuse to promplty return his items to him.... because he lives about 15 minutes from my house.... nice half hour drive...

anyrate, i do all city driving, and i thought a standard trasmission would suck, but it's more fun no matter where you drive it... i don't even mind being stuck in traffic with the manual transmission, as long as it's in the Mini... definitely the way to go.

 

Some thoughts on driving a stick: the driver is more involved in operating the vehicle. The choices are yours about when to wind it up- something you'll want to do quite often if you get a nice sounding exhaust system put on. I suppose this is true to some extent w/ the steptronic, but I can't imagine the sound is the same. It's also much harder to do stupid things while driving w/ a stick: talking on a cell phone, sipping a latte, eating your breakfast- all non-motoring activities. Even in stop and go traffice, the clutch becomes second nature. I get into an automatic now (my wife's Honda) and I hate it. I don't think you'll ever regret getting a stick. One other thing: you have much more even tread wear on both shoes driving a clutch

 

I like my CVT. Based on the traffic I have to deal with daily (DC rush hour...NO FUN!! NO FUN!!!!!!) I am thrilled with it. Especially on Friday when I got over the bridge into Virgina and it took me an hour and a half to go 5 miles. I have never been so glad to have that CVT in all my life.

 

IMHO MINI's should have a stick. Period. More of a connection with the car. And I think the CVT may take too much performance out of the car, but I could be wrong considering the technology. I just recall four cylinder automatics to be true "duds" to drive. Again, IMHO.

If you are stuck in traffic a lot, there are many other good cars out there.

 

^ ^ So you think that people that drive an automatic should be denied the handling of the MINI? That is an awfullly narrow minded comment. I'm not trying to be mean, but don't knock the CVT until you've tried it. :smile:

Why should I have to sacrifice my MINI just because I am stuck in traffic?

 

I have the CVT also. I think that if it was a normal auto tranny, i wouldnt have considered it, but the CVT is completely different. Most auto trannies will cause a drastic loss in performance, but the CVT is very close in terms of acceleration( the Audi CVT is actually faster than their manuals). I think that the CVT gives you plenty of control through throttle pressure, and strategic throttle release. The CVT puts you at the perfect rpm for the driving that you are doing at that point, and in sport mode you can use the amount of throttle to get the required reactions.

In terms of 'sacrificing' handling, i thought i read somewhere that the CVTs were actually getting better times at the autox's.

-Andrew

 

There seems to be a disturbing trend among some MINI owners to thrash the Cooper CVT without even bothering to take it for a 5 minute test drive. The CVT is a terrific transmission and is nothing, I repeat, nothing like the hydraulically operated 4-speed slushboxes found in most other cars. The CVT has no gears and therefore you don't feel ant distinctive shift points when accelerating the car in either Normal Or Sport programming modes.

Just yesterday we came back from a 600 mile weekend roadtrip in our Cooper CVT and we had an absolute blast. I have never owned such a fun, versatile and convenient "automatic" car before!!!.

The CVT transmission in the MINI is manufactured by ZF Transmissions in Belgium. We have 6,500 troublefree miles in our 8 month old 2002 Cooper CVT.

This is one amazing transmission and certainly the best kept secret in the MINI lineup. The CVT is very well matched and tuned to the 1.6L TRITEC engine. Unlike a heavier and often inneficient automatic slushbox, the CVT does not rob any power from the MINI, quite on the contrary it brings it to peak power points when you need it the most.

If anyone doesn't believe me, then you should come with me in my Cooper CVT and see how that baby propells with so much gusto at speeds above 70MPH..it is amazing.

I averaged 36+ MPG throught the trip in total control and comfort.

I would like to extend an invitation to come over to http://www.mini2.com where a group of CVT owners are currently discussing the different driving techniques afforded by this incredible transmission and also sharing driving technique discoveries.

I think it is too bad that MINI does not seem to give the Cooper CVT its rightful performance place in the model lineup.

test drive a Cooper CVT and be prepared to be pleasatly surprised. the clutch pedal may soon become a novelty from the past.

 

I LOVE!!! the CVT. It's perfect for my needs. With the Helix exhaust and manual mode, I clearly hear the RPM changes when I shift. Sometimes I downshift to a stop just to hear it wind down.

Another feature not mentioned yet is the engine braking feature of the CVT. Basically, when you take your foot off of the gas, the car slows itself down. I don't need to drive around with my "foot on the brake all the time" in any of the driving modes.

The CVT is more fun to drive than the 5speed, period. 3 modes, 6 "gears" and the pleasure of parallel parking on a hill with ease. Plus, there are times that I do need to do something else while driving (change a CD, find my chapstick, get money out for the tolls, etc.) and the CVT makes this so easy.

Others have recommended a test drive and that is a great suggestion. However, this tranny does require a bit of a learning curve to master it. So, after you've driven it, ask your motoring advisor to drive it with you as the passenger. Then you'll get a sense of what it can really do. (Alternately find a satisfied CVT owner in your area to give you a ride).