I had no idea how good it can feel to drive!! I just sold my other car (Scion XA), and this is my first day of being fully MINI. I received it Aug 1, but was determined to sell my Scion first, before I let myself really embraced Minidom.The MINI feels so sturdy, solid, tight, and heavy duty, and it is so much fun!! (Corners are the best!!) It's a large vehicle in a little package. I'm always surprised how small it looks, when I get out and how big it feels while I'm in it. Not the amount of space, but the feeling. Someone said..why buy it...it will just be another car. They have no idea!

 

Yes, that large car feeling almost put me off of it. I went to test drive a MCS expecting it to feel like a small sports car and was somewhat disappointed.

 

Ya, I was surprised how big it was inside, but it didnt turn me off at all. That's what turned my wife on to them, she thought it would be too small, but then she sat in the R56 and was like we're definately getting one. i just wish I would've put the test car through a little more to see how it really could handle

 

I used to have an xB ---- funny how much quicker and secure-feeling these little beasts are.

 

I completely agree with you. It seems like everyone comments on how much room there is inside.

 

My mother is legally blind. When she rides in the MINI, I warn her before cornering. I have made her use profanity.
She tells friends and family how the MINI feels so solid and rides quiet.

 

This is one of the funniest things I've read on NAM... not that your Mom is blind - but the whole thing... just thinking about MY mom in that situation... it's hilarious...

 

It's true...most people who don't drive MINIs have no idea what they're missing. Really...no clue. They just think it's a cute/quirky little car. I've always wondered what I'd drive after owning a MINI...it sets the bar pretty high.

 

You need to let the car break in for hte first 1200 miles please.

 

The tight handling on turns makes every left and right turn a happy one. :-)

Everyone who sees my mini keeps saying how it's cute/quirky. And yes, initially thats what I thought too before I test drove it. It's the handling that makes it the huge success. :-)

 

Yes, I'm being careful not to exceed 4500 rpm, or 70mph (which it keeps wanting to go. I only have short distances (few blocks) to drive to work...and I'm thinking..."where can I go, where can I go?" My Scion felt like like a tin can (sort of like moving around in a kayak) though it was effortless to drive and nimble...now I feel safe, secure, and attached to the earth. My partner has an Audi S8, and a Juguar S series. The Juaguar feels like a boat. The Audi handles beautifully...but the MINI actually feels just as heavy, and it weighs less than the Scion! How did they do that? I don't get to drive again until 4:30, DARN!

 

I ordered my MCS in early July and had SUCH a hard time not telling anyone about it. Anyone at all (save for my wife, of course. She ordered it with me). I didn't want to ever EVER hear "those are so stupid" or, "you're too big for a small car like that" or anything negative, and I knew my only hope of avoiding the nay-saying was to have it and introduce it to my friends and family when it arrived.

The MINI is its own best argument. Everyone, and I mean everyone, who I just KNOW would have said all sorts of ignorant things about it before it arrived, had nothing but the highest praise once they saw it, sat in it, and most importantly went for a drive with me in it. Now they all love it and you could see the shock in their faces with how much fun they were having just being around it.

 

I too "Had no idea". I went into the dealership because I got accustomed to and liked the looks of the smaller cars in Europe in the summer of '05. Right off the bat I was impressed with how solid the door felt when I opened it in the show room. It was all up hill from there. Didn't know driving could be this much fun. Didn't know a small car could have such good safety ratings. Didn't know I could be this enthusiastic about "transportation".

 

Your comment reminded me of a great book: The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

One of his last memories was the solid feel of the door as he got into his BMW. A BMW trait I suppose.

Although depressing at times, a good book.

The doors are a bit heavy and I find them a bit difficult to keep open!

 

I love that the new Mini is bigger inside. My 03 MCS felt too small inside.

 

Aonach - thanks for the book reference. Always looking for a good book - especially when they come to me in unusual ways such as this.

 

Gokart dude ... you got to be the number one MINI fan