Very accurate article on the Mini, he's dead on in my opinion. Still love my Mini...
http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/...terstitialskip

 

Why is it that every reviewer complains about the back seat? Gimme a break, I didn't buy my MINIs to taxi four people around, I could care less about the back seat. The MINI is not a taxi, it's a BLAST.

 

He's probably not a car enthusiast and drives a Buick.

 

I agree.

 

C'mon, he had legitimate points; let's not bash every article because it isn't 100% complimentary. And, believe it or not, this guy is a car enthusiast, but his job is point out the positives AND the negatives. Look at some of his other reviews of sports cars; they're aimed at the average driver more so than the performance minded (which is the paper's demographic), but he'll point out performance characteristics, although briefly.

He pointed out most people used the MINI as a third car, and he pretty much felt the car was ideal "fun" for this application; practicality isn't as important for this type of use, and the quirkiness is endearing when functionality isn't the primary concern. He just didn't feel the car was an ideal daily driver for the majority of people, and I'd have to agree...

 

Ouch - harsh critique!

I just test drove my 1st MINIs. An AT Hardtop S 1st, then a manual Convertible S. I was so-so on the auto, loved the manual. Also, while much less "practical", I love the convertible much more.

I will test drive a JCW convertible tomorrow.

 

np here - USA Today isn't a real newspaper with real journalists.

 

I enjoyed the article even if I didn't agree with everything. My MINI is so much fun it is almost a daily driver. It is our second car as we only have two, the other being a CR-V.

Things I don't care for are:

• The key fob - I would much rather have a regular key that I could get a copy of made at Walmart and carry in my wallet.
• The huge speedo - I would much rather have a speedo/tach behind the wheel.
• The Openometer - It was cute for about a week.
• The cold start rattle - I have my 1 year anniversary service this Wednesday and I hope they can take care of this.

Other than these I love it. Maybe if the author had driven a manual, he would have had a different opinion. Not to belittle those with automatics, I just like to shift and think it gives a totally, and better, feel to the MINI.

 

Everybody rips it for the back seat, and yes it's next to useless for adults, but has anybody tried to ride in the back of a Mustang lately? Believe it or not, that car has even less room in the back, but you hardly ever hear anybody mention that little fact.

 

Well, actually, my Lizzie is perfect for 3 people, me and 2 adults. Don't even try to put a third passenger behind my seat. Whether or not it's a good daily driver depends on your point in life. Our kids are in college so we don't need to schlep kids around in both cars. My other car is a Grand Cherokee which hauls the canoe.

 

Sheesh, so the MINI isn't a minivan. Who knew? Considering 90 percent of the cars I see aren't carrying any passengers, seems like a perfect daily driver for lots of people.

 

Hear, Hear, well said!

 

ROFL nice license plate

Oh and I use my Mini as a Daily Driver and I've had four people in it and I can fit my groceries in just the boot. Woot!