Anyone happen to drive/own a Mini Cooper (S or non-S)?

Dblock2151 · #1 05-23-2005, 07:45 PM

My little brother will be getting his license soon, and he'll need a car. At first my family agreed that he would get my Jetta GLI 1.8t as his first car, and I'm cool with it, it's my daily beater, and that way I could start driving the X5 more. But then we remembered that my older sister would need a car next year in Boston, because she will be driving in and around the city for rotations for college. My brother wanted the Cooper S, and my sister likes it as well, but it only came in manual, and it wouldn't be good for her because of the city. Then I went on the website, and they now make the Cooper S in automatic with paddle shift steptronic as well. The paddle shifting would take care of his need for a manual transmission (well kind of).

We're planning on test-driving it soon, but before we go and do that, I wanted your opinions on them. What do you think of the Mini Cooper? Anything you hate about it? Anything that annoys you about it, or is just bothersome? And any options/packages that you suggest getting, and staying away from?

Thanks for any info in advance, we really appreciate it.

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4.6is Ryder · #2 05-23-2005, 07:49 PM

Mini's are the bomb!!! I'm trying to decide if I should by one now or wait a year for the turbo charged version. I've talked my fiance' into it.
She wanted a bug, but after one test drive she was hooked.

PersonaNonGrata · #3 05-23-2005, 07:59 PM

Minis are super fun to drive and the S model can be modded for some added power. One of my sisters had a Mini Cooper 5 speed as their 4th car and I got drive that quite a bit. Tons of fun and surprisingly solid. They just traded up for a Cooper S convertible. I have yet to drive that but it will definitely be a blast. I think the Mini, either non-S or S, sounds perfect for your brother or sister. Fun, well built, nice looking, and so much more interesting than anything else in that price range.

Dblock2151 · #4 05-23-2005, 08:04 PM

How's the car on long trips/commutes? And hopefully the auto will still be as moddable as the manual. I found a kit that brings the Mini's hp to around 270hp. How crazy would that be.

PersonaNonGrata · #5 05-23-2005, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dblock2151

How's the car on long trips/commutes? And hopefully the auto will still be as moddable as the manual. I found a kit that brings the Mini's hp to around 270hp. How crazy would that be.

The driver and front seat passenger should be fine for commutes and longer drives but the rear seats are limited. The rear seats are great for kids and adults can hack it for short periods of time but I wouldn't want to be back there for long.

SuperGreg · #6 05-23-2005, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dblock2151

My little brother will be getting his license soon, and he'll need a car.

The car is a blast to drive, but one should keep in mind that sales tend to skew towards females and alternative lifestyle males. That's why PNG loves it btw

SILENTx5 · #7 05-23-2005, 08:15 PM

and the mini will be very beneficial when finding a parking spot. i love those lil bad boys.

B-Line · #8 05-23-2005, 10:55 PM

I am sure it won't be long before someone starts a showroom stock, racing club for Mini's..

That's when I will buy one..

hayaku · #9 05-23-2005, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B-Line

I am sure it won't be long before someone starts a showroom stock, racing club for Mini's..

That's when I will buy one..

already have one... scca and nasa have a series. klaus kindor and judy ray raced in the showroom stock class very successfully... klaus i believe is current champ in the cooper... now moving up to the cooper s.

i was seriously considering a cooper s as my track car, in fact i was ready to drop the cash on it but the dealer didn't want to guarantee me mrsp so i bought a 996 instead.

Dblock2151 · #10 05-24-2005, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hayaku

already have one... scca and nasa have a series. klaus kindor and judy ray raced in the showroom stock class very successfully... klaus i believe is current champ in the cooper... now moving up to the cooper s.

i was seriously considering a cooper s as my track car, in fact i was ready to drop the cash on it but the dealer didn't want to guarantee me mrsp so i bought a 996 instead.

I'd kill for a 996.

I hear they're making an awd Mini in a couple years, that would be crazy.

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