I'm getting closer!
 

With refference to my post made about my visit to the Mini dealer and now trying to convience the wife to get one https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=144571

We had friends over this weekend, and she said that everytime she see's one on the road she likes it more and more! BUT... some problems came up, I still have some researching to do on these topics!

She wasnt sure if the Copper can handle the winter, Car Seats for the kids, and the one thing that gets her is the NO bargining at the dealer! She got $50.00 a month taken off my Mazda 3 when we leased it 2 years ago! So she thinks she can do it again at another dealer but I told her its different at Mini!

I read up on some Mini's and winter, and I dont think i have to worry. I always buy studded winter tires anyways. So I think id be just fine! She is scared that it is so low to the ground that we will get stuck everywhere! Has anyone compaired the height from the bottom of the bumper lip to the ground before? (15 inch wheels)

As for the bargaining if she won't take your word for it then just tell her to go and head off to the dealer herself and see how much she can get off MSRP. When she's left standing there perplexed she'll soon get it.

Last December, I drove my '07 MC coupe through a Rhode Island blizzard for 2-1/2 hours, following my daughter who was driving her new Yaris which I'd helped her lease earlier that afternoon.

My MINI went where I steered her, never swerved thanks to the front-wheel drive, and went up a long incline on I-95 that curved sharply to the left. Lot of other cars and every truck on the highway had trouble negotiating that section, some had to stop on the shoulder, my MINI didn't.

I have the cold weather package, heated seats and mirrors, etc. which are good, though I rarely turn my bum warmer on since I wear a wool greatcoat during wintertime.

My daughter had no problems in her Yaris negotiating the blizzard thanks to her car's front-wheel drive.

Hope this helps,

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Our '05 MINI has been our "winter car" for the past 3 years (as compared the the RWD S2K ice skate) We took him through a blizzard on our way to a Christmas holiday a couple of years ago. Got to our destination and relatives were telling us how the national news had been reporting from the Cincinnati airport (which we drove right by) about how they were closed and the roads were impassible :eek2:. They hoped we hadn't been stuck in that (uh, well :roll: ). The interesting part is we saw MANY SUVs off in the ditch while we were able to just keep going slow and steady.

The only problem I've ever had in winter is getting going from a stop when there's some person in a 4-WD SUV right on my tail - it sometimes just takes the MINI a little longer to gain traction.

Thanks for all the help you guys and girls!!!

Last night we went online to Mini.ca to take a look at all the different options we have on either purchasing the mini or leasing. Seems like she is more and more interested!:thumbsup:

Im still having to do some major searching for childseats though!

Cool that the search continues. Not sure what to say about child seats, haven't used them in years so don't know what's available.

The MINI is so solid and with the airbags is perfectly safe for a family.

Best of luck,

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good luck on yr research and sorry i cant help ya as i just got my car couple of weeks ago:grin:

If your dealer won't bargain, go elsewhere. I went to two dealers and both were ready and willing to bargain earlier this spring on a new 2008. I ended up saving about $1600 from MSRP including discount and freebies. Good luck with your Mini-shopping!

Quebec is the largest Canadian province in area, and the second largest in population but we only have 4 dealers!

You say carseatS as if you need more than one at a time. Much as I love my Mini I don't think I'd mess with a 2 door car if I had to implant/extract a child from a rear seat carseat. Been there, done that, no thanks!

I have to agree ...and as far as two door cars go, getting in and out of the back of a MINI is about as tough as it gets.

Maybe you should look at a Clubman?

Dean.

Well, there are only two within an hour's drive of where I live in Ontario, but both were willing to haggle once I let it be known that I was ready to make a deal. You have three in the Montréal area to work with! I even have the CarCostCanada invoice pricing that I could send - PM if interested. :thumbsup: