I have an interview tomorrow, and while I am quite familiar with the hatchbacks, I'm not too up to speed on the other models. If you could please help me:

1. What made you choose the Roadster over other models?
2. What trim did you choose (Justa, S, or JCW)?
3. Which options were most important to you?

THANK YOU! I would appreciate your help....

 

1 Best looking mini in my opion. Drive it to work, only need one seat.

2 MCS

3 JCW exterior package. JCW interior package. I'll build the rest of the car to my liking with after market products of my choosing.

 

We had a MCS convertible, a BMW Z3, and an old Chevy van.
I got rid of the van and the Z3 and bought a Kia Soul, my wife loved her Mini, but it had about 90k miles on it and she has a 50 mile round trip commute so she looked to replace the Mini and loved the roadster! Since we have the Kia, we could get a 2 seater.
As for options, we went with the navigation, cold weather package, auto climate, and back up sensors!
Pretty big trunk for a Roadster also!

Steve

Oh also, it's an S

 

My Wife!

 

1) Roadster is replacing my 97 Mazda Miata - there're not many convertibles on the market in this price range, and the style & options on the Mini are so much more interesting than the Miata. That, and it's a bit higher than the Miata so easier to get in and out of...

2) JCW, cause the rumble & the power will help avoid the ribbing from my friends who were pushing for a Camero...and cause, ya know, vroom vroom...

3) Mini Connected package, cause i'm tired of plugging a cable into my iPhone. I got a bunch of other options cause they're cool. Avoided the auto-dimming mirrors based on advice in the forums that the sensor gets blocked by the spoiler.

 

1. What made you choose the Roadster over other models?
Overall looks and who can resist a convertible with two seats?

2. What trim did you choose (Justa, S, or JCW)?
Cooper S - While I loved the JCW's performance, I just couldn't justify the additional $5000 price tag. The other thing that bugged me was the JCW interior trim in red only. Not exactly a great compliment to a Toffee interior.

3. Which options were most important to you?
Simplifying was my theme. Leather interior, a great sound system but I chose not to go with the navigation or MINI connect. Again, it wasn't worth the additional cost.

 

Whoo I feel I'm doing a quiz

1. I'm not too sure what you mean by other model? Roadster over other MINI models, or MINI roadster over other roadster?
So I'll answer both :p . . .

As someone said their isn't a lot of roadster or convertibles out there in this price range so that did narrow things a bit. Many where not as attractive as the MINI for sure. The EOS was a little dull and price was pretty high when you try to configure it so it's worthy of a convertible. We sat in a Miata at a car trade show and the passenger comfort for a relatively tall person was just about awful and cramped. My wife sat in it and had a bad reaction just about immediately. Since we wanted to do more road trips, that was not going to cut it. Plus the car styling and interior was a bit boring. Everything else was just too expensive.

For the other part, why a roadster over other MINIs. We were so bord with most car out there that at some point we said to ourselves, forget useless practicality that brings no joy to life and let's make it fun. So we decided to get a convertible. I told my wife, listen you hardly ever drive more than one other person in your car so I don't think it matters if there is no rear passengers seats. If we need to carry people we can use my car. Further more we loved the fact that the roadster combined the fun of a convertible with the convenience of a larger trunk than most for everyday use and road trips. We like the MINI appeal and we got over the initial reliability uncertainty. So MINI roadster it was decided.


2. We picked the "S" for a few reasons. For one I did extended search online to grab any reviews I could find. The verdict was that the S is just about as much fun as the JCW. Before that I am a little bit into performance car so I wanted something I could have a lot of personal joy with as a sporty motorist. That said I knew my wife would drive it more often than I which made no sens for her to consume more gas since she's not that interested about going fast on winding roads. Financially it made a lot more sens to us. What set the decision was also that overall I like the S styling a little more than the JCW. It's not to say I dislike the JCW. It definitely has a bigger presence and a more grounded sporty feel to it. But the exterior design refinement was not there for me. One exception though, the side trim are way better on the JCW.


3. As usual we did probably differently than most. We knew what we were after is the convertible experience. Since my wife is not into electronic gadgets at all (I'm proud of her for living without much of those tech needs) we actually wanted to make it really special and proud to drive everyday. So with a set budget we avoided any of the infotainment systems and opted for the "MINI Yours" interior package which upscaled the car feel quite a bit.

Other things important were heated seats, key less which is really nice once you get the hang of it, an actual color (kite blue for her), also important DTC,
Things I regret not having taken is better Audio system (though I'm not really missing it so the feeling comes and goes). And also the Xenon lights with head light washers. That was just too late to upgrade later :(

 

1) I used to have a BMW Z3 M roadster. When I replaced it I got a 09 miata. I thought as long as it was a small convertible I would be happy. I wasn't, and couldn't wait to get rid of it. I got an interim car until I could afford to get what I wanted. I wanted a MINI roadster since they came out but the manual top put me off. It is just me and I rarely have a second person in the car so I didn't want a regular "4 seater". It's higher off the ground than the miata, big enough trunk for anything i need to put in it, fairly easy to get in and out (i'm an oldish lady)and what is NOT fun about it?!
2) just a MINI Cooper Roadster
3) since I bought it used I didn't have a choice in what options are on it. If I would have ordered and bought it new, it would be a stock manual (absolutely no options) I Don't want what i don't absolutely need. As long as ac/heat and an am-fm radio I'm happy.

 

I had a 2005 Crossfire Roadster. I loved the power and handling, but I hated how expensive it was to own.

New tires every year. $3000/year insurance. Useless in winter. Thank God I only leased it! I turned it in, and was going to buy a mini convertible.

Then I heard rumors of a MINI Roadster and I waited impatiently.

This car is much less expensive to own. Insurance is normal, and, with the 16" rims, tires are inexpensive!

I love this car!

 

WannaMini, my wife and I had a convertible when we first got married and loved it. Now 45 years later and both retired, we decided we needed a vehicle that was fun and comfortable for Road Trips...2014 is our year for Roadster Road trips. NO other convertible came close to the Mini's fun, handling, space, character, and comfort.

I gave Mary the choice. A Mini Convertible or a Mini Roadster. She loved the 2 seat Roadster and was sure the larger trunk would be better suited for road trip yard sales and flea markets and things that didn't fit in the "boot" we would have mailed home. We ordered it loaded with most all options but favorite option is the incredibly comfortable leather seats.

No matter how you configure YOURS, it will make you S M I L E every time you back out of your driveway!

Cheers!!!! Ken-

 

Knew nothing about MINIs before I ordered mine, hadn't even seen the italian job.

I was looking for commuter car as my hours had changed and railroad was no longer an option.

Tried all the little American cars and I initially put deposit down on ford fiesta ( gas mileage was a huge factor).

I received an online ad for roadster, it was love at first sight. price was only slightly more than the ford,( in order to get the fuel efficacy you have to do upgrade, everything on a ford is package upgrade even cruise control) but really I'm a sucker for a convertible.
If I gotta drive to work at least I'll have fun getting there.
Went to a local dealer and the sa tried repeatedly to sell me a countryman, kept saying but it's a awd and will fit your family( um no we are big people and a total of 6)
I actually got aggravated explaining I'm looking to reduce my mpg and I don't take my kids to work just me and a backpack.
Walked out after an hour.

Eventually found out they weren't available in USA at the time, but was lucky enough to be able to test drive a coupe ( another dealer that actually listened to my needs) was impressed by the comfort, I'm nearly six ft tall and would be spending on average 2-4 hours a day in traffic, leg room is a definite plus.
The coupe, MINI, in generally impressed me just opening the door, the fuel efficient cars that I had test driven felt flimsy to say the least, the coupe felt solid right from the start. Ten minute test drive and I was sold.
It seemed for me the choice was between justa or the jcw. The S seemed just silly for me. I'm not a middle ground kinda girl.
I ordered the justa for 2 reasons, most important was practicality, amazing mpg, and automatic transmission. NYC traffic 6 days a week seemed crazy with a manual.
The justa won out completely practical and still fun.

Most important options for me were,

REEF BLUE- my fiancé almost fell over at the added cost but I couldn't see me in anything else.

Wind Screen- if you ever had convertible it's a must.
Cold weather package- seriously extends top down season
HK stereo- top downing on interstate at 80mph next to a truck and yeah my sound is great. lol had no idea what others were talking about with the roadster rattle, never heard it.
MINI connected- pure fluff but I enjoy it, love accessing my iCal, Facebook ect ( sneaky but l follow my teenagers twitter posts, I know what there up to and where ) I love mission control,it's silly but makes me smile every time.

Stripes and leather, I wasn't quite excited about the factory options, and pleasantly surprised to find out how many non factory options there are. Added those and other toys later.

Good luck with your interview.

 

Another reason why we love our roadster




.

 

1. Saw the car in the dealership and fell in love. I went to check out the Paceman. I was all set to order a Range Rover Evoque but the pricetag was making me a little queasy, saw a comparison to the Paceman and stopped in. Then I saw the roadster and all logic went out the window. This is my not quite mid-life crisis car. No kids, no dogs and working from home made this an easy decision.
2. Got the S
3. Most important to me is the stereo and connectivity. I like streaming music. Heated seats was my second must have.

 

Just ordered my Roadster today. I was looking for a fun little car to drive, getting rid of my motorcycle. Fell in love with the roadster as soon as I saw it. Loved it even more when I test drove it.
Got the S trim.
Now two long months of waiting. :

 

1) Size - R59 is the smallest MINI, and I want my MINI be a mini.
oh, and the unlimited headroom.
2) JCW - wooohooo, loving it.
3) JCW is the only option I want (care), the sport button should be permanent ON.

 

Congrats! You are going to love it! . . . once you received it

 

Congrats, Goes. You won't be disappointed. We'll we waiting right here with you.

 

Sounds like we are in the same boat Goes. Ordered mine on May 6 and expecting it in mid July-ish. What did you order? I went a little crazy!

 

Define crazy...
Including tax and fees, above or under 40k?

We got the S, Some performance options, some interior and comfort options like heated seats and MINI yours package, no audio upgrade or center stack display upgrade, no xenon or adaptive headlights, and we were around 39k once all was set and done and all paper were signed . . . ouch . . .

We have no regrets but I have to say it is a hair over priced . . . I guess BMW knows how to tempt us

 

I ordered a blue S with black stripes, auto, heated seats, Harmon kardon stero a few other things. Came to $34,000 total. It's going to be a long two months.

 

Ha! Well... Sticker was a hair over $37k. I went with an s, stripes, chrome in and out, mini yours satellite grey interior, heated seats, mini connected with navigation, harmon kardon stereo