To Buy or Not to Buy
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,980
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From: PA
Totally unrelated to this thread but I just love that last quote in your sig. ^^
MINI - Appeals to Everyone: A poor man's bargin, A rich man's toy, A chick's accessory, and an enthusiast's tool
MINI - Appeals to Everyone: A poor man's bargin, A rich man's toy, A chick's accessory, and an enthusiast's tool
Last edited by Msteadman; Jan 6, 2008 at 07:18 PM. Reason: Added the quote since my post started the 2nd page of this thread.
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6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Huntsville, AL
Very interesting post, Snapper. This thread has very nicely managed my expectations. I was interested to hear about keeping the MINI only while in warranty and only then if living close to a dealer.
Appreciate the candor from all.
RC
Appreciate the candor from all.
RC
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6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,145
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From: Huntsville, AL
Ordered an MC full hardtop, Chili Pepper Red under white, hood stripes, checkered side mirrors, Union Jack rearview cover, standard interior except for multi-function steering wheel.
Decided not to go MCS. Loved its spunk, but not crazy about the $3k extra, lesser gas mileage (too much temptation), and potential hassles/expense with run-flats. In my kind of driving, there isn't too much opportunity to wring a real sports car out. The MC has all the pick-up I need to enter traffic and exit corners in an exciting way (if I manage the rpms). I flew helos and airplanes for a couple of decades in the Army and know that speed and fun are not necessarily directly proportional.
Went to dealer for Lightning Blue. They happened to have every MINI color in a line on their lot. I walked it once and fell in love with the red that was, coincidentally, sitting right next to the blue. Can't explain the attraction. Thunderstruck, just like Michael in the Godfather. Saw it and knew that was the look for me--mid-life crisis notwithstanding.
Didn't load up on extras. Dealer told me about after-market sites and said that decals, etc., could be added over time at same cost. Said I should let the car grow on me and add touches as each became obvious. Even suggested that I not upgrade the sound system because after-market folks had some great ideas. Is this typical for a MINI dealer? I like it. Like Miracle on 34th Street.
Again, thanks for the advice. I was truly wavering for awhile.
Decided not to go MCS. Loved its spunk, but not crazy about the $3k extra, lesser gas mileage (too much temptation), and potential hassles/expense with run-flats. In my kind of driving, there isn't too much opportunity to wring a real sports car out. The MC has all the pick-up I need to enter traffic and exit corners in an exciting way (if I manage the rpms). I flew helos and airplanes for a couple of decades in the Army and know that speed and fun are not necessarily directly proportional.
Went to dealer for Lightning Blue. They happened to have every MINI color in a line on their lot. I walked it once and fell in love with the red that was, coincidentally, sitting right next to the blue. Can't explain the attraction. Thunderstruck, just like Michael in the Godfather. Saw it and knew that was the look for me--mid-life crisis notwithstanding.
Didn't load up on extras. Dealer told me about after-market sites and said that decals, etc., could be added over time at same cost. Said I should let the car grow on me and add touches as each became obvious. Even suggested that I not upgrade the sound system because after-market folks had some great ideas. Is this typical for a MINI dealer? I like it. Like Miracle on 34th Street.
Again, thanks for the advice. I was truly wavering for awhile.
Last edited by rrcaniglia; Jan 13, 2008 at 07:37 AM. Reason: grammer, punctuation, and general readability--it's Sunday early, first cup of coffee
3rd Gear
Joined: Nov 2007
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Sounds like you have yourself a good deal. It's funny how seeing the different colors and options in person tends to change minds. Good call on the MC, and for good reasons. I am getting the MCS, but for my own reasons. I was very tossed on whether to get the HiFi or not and still do not know if I made the right decision. I guess I really do not know what I want out of it yet. Like they say, it is what it is.
and so begins the wait..... I am on day 8 now!!
Edit: I also figured out when calling 1 866 ASK MINI, I press 2, then the order number, then press 1. this avoids having to "talk" the information in. This is for the automated status update. The live operators are also available during the week.
and so begins the wait..... I am on day 8 now!!
Edit: I also figured out when calling 1 866 ASK MINI, I press 2, then the order number, then press 1. this avoids having to "talk" the information in. This is for the automated status update. The live operators are also available during the week.
Last edited by goosefraba; Jan 13, 2008 at 09:28 AM.
6th Gear
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,428
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From: Long Island, NY
There's a great R&T owners survey article in the Feb '06 issue - stop by a library, it's worth a read (look under "owners survey" HERE). Unfortunately, doesn't seem that they've posted it on their website.
In essence, if I can recall correctly, they found very polarized results - it seems more so than any other vehicle they've surveyed. There were lots of complaints about quality, problems and quirky issues with the car - enough so that it should have had a pretty poor overall satisfaction rating. However, on the contrary, it had one of the highest satisfaction ratings they've seen
. Bottom line, they said, was that us MINI owners were willing to put with a lot of crap, just because the car was so much fun.
I had similar concerns as you, and got to read the article before I ordered my '06. I also knew the new version was coming out, but I usually rather get the last model year of an older version, than the first model year of new version, on the likelihood that most of the bugs have been ironed out.
Well, now coming up on 2 years ownership, I'd have to say that survey was spot on. My '06 has had its share of issues (although nothing really serious), more than any new car I've owned, and I'm not sure I'd want keep this car outside of warranty, or if I lived really far from a dealer.......
But damn, this still the most fun car I've ever owned (just sold my Audi S4 that just sat idle after buying the MCS), enough so that I still take the long way home, go for long drives with no destination in mind, lurk this forum, avidly recommend the car to my motorhead buddies, sometime have a hard time deciding between my motorcycle and MINI....and, when the warranty comes up, will probably trade it in for a new one.
I'm a glutton for punishment.
In essence, if I can recall correctly, they found very polarized results - it seems more so than any other vehicle they've surveyed. There were lots of complaints about quality, problems and quirky issues with the car - enough so that it should have had a pretty poor overall satisfaction rating. However, on the contrary, it had one of the highest satisfaction ratings they've seen
. Bottom line, they said, was that us MINI owners were willing to put with a lot of crap, just because the car was so much fun. I had similar concerns as you, and got to read the article before I ordered my '06. I also knew the new version was coming out, but I usually rather get the last model year of an older version, than the first model year of new version, on the likelihood that most of the bugs have been ironed out.
Well, now coming up on 2 years ownership, I'd have to say that survey was spot on. My '06 has had its share of issues (although nothing really serious), more than any new car I've owned, and I'm not sure I'd want keep this car outside of warranty, or if I lived really far from a dealer.......
But damn, this still the most fun car I've ever owned (just sold my Audi S4 that just sat idle after buying the MCS), enough so that I still take the long way home, go for long drives with no destination in mind, lurk this forum, avidly recommend the car to my motorhead buddies, sometime have a hard time deciding between my motorcycle and MINI....and, when the warranty comes up, will probably trade it in for a new one
.I'm a glutton for punishment.
Yep, VERY interesting, and VERY true. The MINI is very dumb (for lack of a better word) in some areas, and MINI as a company so far has showed us absolutly no support to fix the "dumb" things. But that sais, we still love the car. So much so, that if you complain about things that are broken, most other people jump down your throat as if you offended the country by burning the flag on the bow of a battleship.
Strange goings on indeed.
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6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Huntsville, AL
Well, Birdman, having been forewarned, it looks like I am proven of the same ilk. 
You got yours quickly. Hope that is still true. This is to be my commuter car (62miles/day round trip). Wife has decided it's here weekend car. I don't know what happened.
You got yours quickly. Hope that is still true. This is to be my commuter car (62miles/day round trip). Wife has decided it's here weekend car. I don't know what happened.
6th Gear
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,428
Likes: 1
From: Long Island, NY
My wife can't drive stick, that's why I ordered a stick!!! Yes, mine came in now time at all, I wish you only the same!! Good luck!! You can sharpen up your tracking skills while waiting: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...inibird+undine
4th Gear
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 529
Likes: 0
From: South Orange, NJ
Yep, VERY interesting, and VERY true. The MINI is very dumb (for lack of a better word) in some areas, and MINI as a company so far has showed us absolutly no support to fix the "dumb" things. But that sais, we still love the car. So much so, that if you complain about things that are broken, most other people jump down your throat as if you offended the country by burning the flag on the bow of a battleship.
Strange goings on indeed.
Strange goings on indeed.
People willing to treat the car as more than a mere mode of conveyance from point A to point B are the ones that are more likely to be tolerant of issues than those that thought they were getting a fuel efficient econobox to commute in.
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6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,145
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From: Huntsville, AL
Same for me, got it as a commuter car about 65 per day. But, the "wife"??? You SURE about that???? My wife can't drive stick, that's why I ordered a stick!!!
Yes, mine came in now time at all, I wish you only the same!! Good luck!! You can sharpen up your tracking skills while waiting: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...inibird+undine
My wife can't drive stick, that's why I ordered a stick!!! Yes, mine came in now time at all, I wish you only the same!! Good luck!! You can sharpen up your tracking skills while waiting: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...inibird+undine
Army wives, you know. Independent. And I can't begrudge her some fun when she insisted I get a new car. Love's a wonderful thing, ain't it?
6th Gear
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,428
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From: Long Island, NY
Question for you: Why are you so "belligerent" at defending MINI? Just curious.
4th Gear
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 529
Likes: 0
From: South Orange, NJ
That doesn't even make any sense. You have it exactly opposite of the reality. If your have the car for MORE than just a mode of transportation, then you are expecting MORE from the car, and would be more inclined to complain about things. If you just want to commute from A to B, and don't care about the rest, then you wouldn't care about the rest of the car and would not complain.
Question for you: Why are you so "belligerent" at defending MINI? Just curious.
Question for you: Why are you so "belligerent" at defending MINI? Just curious.
Enthusiasts are more likely to more tolerant of "issues" than the average consumer. The MINI is, by and large, an enthusiast car and therefore people are, by and large, more likely to tolerate the issues and/or work towards DIY or aftermarket solutions.
Look at any other type of car that fits into the enthusiast category and you will see examples of what i mean.
This is why the article that was referenced referred to the fact that "There were lots of complaints about quality, problems and quirky issues with the car - enough so that it should have had a pretty poor overall satisfaction rating. However, on the contrary, it had one of the highest satisfaction ratings they've seen".
The fact that the MINI is an enthusiast car is the reason from the dichotomy between the numbers of complaints and the high satisfaction ratings.
As for my "belligerent" defense of MINI, I've merely tried to bring a balance and provide a point of view that differs from yours.
Last edited by Rastven; Jan 15, 2008 at 01:32 PM.
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,972
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From: South Florida
The problem is that MINI is becoming more and more of a diluted, mainstream brand. The current car has been designed and tuned to attract more of the non-enthusiast or hardcore market audience than ever before. That is a fine business decision but from the perspective of the enthusiast that loves the rawness and quirky personality of the MINI, it could be a pretty questionnable one.
2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 75
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From: san francisco area
The problem is that MINI is becoming more and more of a diluted, mainstream brand. The current car has been designed and tuned to attract more of the non-enthusiast or hardcore market audience than ever before. That is a fine business decision but from the perspective of the enthusiast that loves the rawness and quirky personality of the MINI, it could be a pretty questionnable one.
less quirkiness? does that mean it breaks down less?
less "rawness?" gadzooks, man, what does that mean?
i suspect what you mean by your post is that they are selling in larger numbers than you would like. that means there are a lot of them running about, and your car stands out less than you'd like. in my book that hardly makes it less of an enthusiasts' car.
years ago, i raced a spanish-made bultaco motorcycle. it oozed "quirkiness and rawness." so much so that it broke down in about one third of the races i entered. so these days, when people talk nostalgically about machines with "character or quirkiness," i get a good horselaugh out of it. i lived those nostalgic times ... and they SUCKED.
Pshaw! Who among us does not miss gapping points and measuring dwell?
The squeel of rivets on a rotor (oops, I meant shoes on a drum), the thwap-thwap-thwap of broken belts just before overheating, the smell of antifreeze from burst hoses, the delaminating bias ply tires. When real men drove real cars and really cursed at them when they inevitably were left stranded.
And I for one long for the quiet, peaceful times I spent broken down on the side of the road.
Those times were cathartic, I think.
To the OP, as has been said, you're more likely to hear about the problem children here than the good ones. I was a bit worried before I took the plunge and I've been very happy overall.
The squeel of rivets on a rotor (oops, I meant shoes on a drum), the thwap-thwap-thwap of broken belts just before overheating, the smell of antifreeze from burst hoses, the delaminating bias ply tires. When real men drove real cars and really cursed at them when they inevitably were left stranded.
And I for one long for the quiet, peaceful times I spent broken down on the side of the road.
Those times were cathartic, I think. To the OP, as has been said, you're more likely to hear about the problem children here than the good ones. I was a bit worried before I took the plunge and I've been very happy overall.
6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 38,578
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Mini heritage practically requires the car to be useful to the average motorer, not just the enthusiast. R56 is a car that may be easier to live with (not as raw as R50/53) and that's perfect...and better...for the general motoring populace. However, the JCW is out there for the enthusiasts (and for the real crazies there's the Challenge car) and also all the aftermarket bits, so in my mind the car has made progress on both areas. It's as it should be, imo...the MINI should not be solely an enthusiast car.
In any case, R56 is tricky...I feel the road just as much as in my early R50, but the jagged edge is simply rounded off a bit. R50/53 may feel more raw, but that may not amount to any real benefit. Certain turns I would hit in my R50 and the car would come off the ground. Same turns in the R56 and the car stays planted..I could go faster if I needed to (which I don't). Anyway, the R50/53 ride is a hoot and endearing, no doubt about it...but I would not say it has been "refined" as in "dumbed-down." In my experience "refined" means "equally capable but not as frantic" so for me it's a good thing. Just an observation...
In any case, R56 is tricky...I feel the road just as much as in my early R50, but the jagged edge is simply rounded off a bit. R50/53 may feel more raw, but that may not amount to any real benefit. Certain turns I would hit in my R50 and the car would come off the ground. Same turns in the R56 and the car stays planted..I could go faster if I needed to (which I don't). Anyway, the R50/53 ride is a hoot and endearing, no doubt about it...but I would not say it has been "refined" as in "dumbed-down." In my experience "refined" means "equally capable but not as frantic" so for me it's a good thing. Just an observation...
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,743
Likes: 5
From: Hot Springs Village, AR
Pshaw! Who among us does not miss gapping points and measuring dwell?
The squeel of rivets on a rotor (oops, I meant shoes on a drum), the thwap-thwap-thwap of broken belts just before overheating, the smell of antifreeze from burst hoses, the delaminating bias ply tires. When real men drove real cars and really cursed at them when they inevitably were left stranded.
And I for one long for the quiet, peaceful times I spent broken down on the side of the road. Those times were cathartic, I think.
The squeel of rivets on a rotor (oops, I meant shoes on a drum), the thwap-thwap-thwap of broken belts just before overheating, the smell of antifreeze from burst hoses, the delaminating bias ply tires. When real men drove real cars and really cursed at them when they inevitably were left stranded.
And I for one long for the quiet, peaceful times I spent broken down on the side of the road.
Those times were cathartic, I think. On the other hand...there was a whole lot going on in those cars WITHOUT electronics, and their potential failures. Last weekend we were in our '64 Porsche 356 SC, and were stopped at a light when I rolled--yes, rolled--down the window. It occured to me that I was probably the only one in sight who had to actually use a bit of muscle to do that!
Ah, the good old days. Not really. We spent a lot of time just keeping our cars ready to go to work the next morning, especially in the winter. Then again, I don't remember driving so far to GET to work. Maybe a faulty memory. No, it really WAS closer.
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,972
Likes: 3
From: South Florida
Sensitive, aren't we?
i'm going to call BS on this post. exactly what is it about a "diluted, mainstream brand" that diminishes it as an enthusiasts' car?
less quirkiness? does that mean it breaks down less?
less "rawness?" gadzooks, man, what does that mean?
i suspect what you mean by your post is that they are selling in larger numbers than you would like. that means there are a lot of them running about, and your car stands out less than you'd like. in my book that hardly makes it less of an enthusiasts' car.
years ago, i raced a spanish-made bultaco motorcycle. it oozed "quirkiness and rawness." so much so that it broke down in about one third of the races i entered. so these days, when people talk nostalgically about machines with "character or quirkiness," i get a good horselaugh out of it. i lived those nostalgic times ... and they SUCKED.
less quirkiness? does that mean it breaks down less?
less "rawness?" gadzooks, man, what does that mean?
i suspect what you mean by your post is that they are selling in larger numbers than you would like. that means there are a lot of them running about, and your car stands out less than you'd like. in my book that hardly makes it less of an enthusiasts' car.
years ago, i raced a spanish-made bultaco motorcycle. it oozed "quirkiness and rawness." so much so that it broke down in about one third of the races i entered. so these days, when people talk nostalgically about machines with "character or quirkiness," i get a good horselaugh out of it. i lived those nostalgic times ... and they SUCKED.