I'm coming to the end of my lease on my 2009 Subaru Forester. I've always been intrigued by minis and finally test drove a Cooper S last week. I love the car! My reason for looking at a Mini is two-fold. #1 is gas mileage, as it looks like $4 / gallon gas is here to stay. #2 is that I moved from Long Island into Manhattan with my fiancé, and every time we look for a parking space one of us says "if we had a mini we could have fit there!".

I have a couple of concerns. The main one is how hard is it to make the adjustment to go from a SUV to a Mini? I keep looking at a Clubman, but my fiancé thinks if I get a Clubman I might as well just get a regular car. My other concern is safety. Anybody been in an accident with their Mini? How did it fare?

Any advice is appreciated. I guess it might come down to a mini or a four door GTI. I'm really torn. Thanks to all of you for your help!

 

I'll address safety the issue, I walked away without a scratch (but with some bruises and aches) from a head on accident going 35 mph with a ford explorer.

I ended up going to the hospital so I could be checked out but was released after a few hours.

My former MINI was a '06 Cooper which was totalled by the insurance company.

 

Well the MINI for one is GREAT on gas. I can usually reach near 500 miles a tank. I did 8 drag runs one day, 9 races in auto cross the next. And the rest highway and got 480 miles on that tank! Clubman is not as good on gas and if you are picking a car for parking spots maybe not a Clubman either... But i like the roominess of a Clubman in my opinion. Going from an SUV to the MINI will make you hate your SUV in many aspects. #1 gas. #2 handling. #3 the community and waving at other MINIs. #4 it's a MINI!!!!
And I have seen a lot of wrecked MINIS on here. They usually come out really well and so do the drivers. but then again a GTI is nice, but I would rather have a mini. PS - raced a modded 2 door GTI today =p. Won by half a car length. MINI is better obviously. Haha jk. I like both.

 

I just traded in my 2011 forester just 4 months old for a 2011 clubman S I found out the hard way I'm just not an SUV guy.I also live on long island I think you will find the clubman very easy to park it is only about a foot longer
And that makes a big difference if you have someone in the back.both cars handle about the same.My wife and I just love this car. So much fun to drive
Good luck you can't go wrong with a Mini

 

This is my second Forester, so I'm used to having a car I can tote a bunch of stuff around in, which is why I'm concerned about the Cooper. The Clubman S might be the way to go, and I suppose it's still a lot smaller to park than most cars. I did test drive a Clubman S about 3 years ago in an automatic, and I thought it was a bit sluggish. The Cooper S in a stick was a blast to drive....I'm just worried about getting a stick in NYC again. Ughh!

 

if i lived in a super traffic packed town... automatic...
i honestly want a clubby s auto soon though, as a second car =)
seems a little pricey though...

 

DAMN! I am lucky if I can get close to 400 miles... :(

 

I can get 480 to 500 miles on a tank with Clubman S, mostly highway miles. I traded a Cooper hardtop for it after 3 years and 80,000 miles. After a year with the Clubbie, we really like the extra 15 inches in the Clubman when it comes to hauling groceries, extra people, etc.

 

Get the stick Clubman, you won't regret it.

 

Clubman is only about 140 pounds more than the hardtop, and with the seats down you can haul a fair amount of stuff. Go for it!

 

I love my Mini!!! It is great on gas and very safe as people have stated above. If it is space you are concerned with get the Mini roof top box. The cars are a lot bigger inside than people give them credit for. I put my two English mastiffs in the back with the seats down and are stuff in roof box above.

Either way Clubman or Cooper you will love it.

 

Cooper S or Clubman S, either way you have to go Manual.
It's hands down more enjoyable to drive.

I have lived in Brooklyn and driven/parked in manhattan and have always been amazed by some of the spots I have fit in.
I've also managed to navigate quite well with my mini being lowered. If that helps.