GolfHos

we order our new Mini Cooper.  Made the mistake of test driving the s version first and now I have to have it.  It is fast and uber fun to drive.  FWIW, I am 6' 4" and fit into very easily with plenty of room to spare. 

Lightning Blue, white top with white bonnet stripes and 16" wheels.   [sm_eekdance]


Spacey:  Do you guys have the s version?  Will I hugely regret not getting it if I don't?  I think I will.

Yes, we have the S. There are, I suppose, a couple of reasons one might go with the non-supercharged (2007 models are now turbocharged) model: much less expensive, slightly better mileage (but surprisingly only a couple of mpg more), probably a bit cheaper to insure. However, on a personal level I don't think those advantages outweigh the benefits of the S model. The S is just plain fun. I definitely would have regretted going with the base model. Oh, and the S model also holds its value much better than the base model.

Good move on the 16" wheels instead of the 17". The ride can already be relatively harsh, and the lower profile tires on the 17s make it about 3x worse, they're also a lot more expensive to replace, and the 16s aren't cheap. A lot of people hate the run-flats (loud and hard), but I don't mind them.

I'd also recommend the 6-speed manual over the automatic. The paddle shifters work :airquotes: fairly :airquotes: well, but IMHO, just don't duplicate the benefits of a true manual shifter. If for whatever reason you can't or won't drive a manual, the automatic isn't a deal breaker. FWIW, the bonnet stripes are a moderately expensive factory option and you can buy and install them yourself relatively easily and much less expensively. (We paid $35 for our stripes on Ebay, installed them in fewer than 30 minutes.)

I'd also recommend immediately ripping out the factory air-box and throwing in a K&N cold air intake system. Fairly inexpensive, easy to do and increases the fun factor a lot. Aftermarket exhaust would also be a nice option if you're able (my wife has vetoed the proposal a number of times).

Way fun car. Expect zero buyer's remorse. Also expect wanting to sink a bunch of money into customizing it.

Well it is official.  In the end we decided to go with the non S model.  Drove it first this time and we both can live with the performance of it.  I do love the S model's acceleration but almost too much.  I feel I would literally gun it after every stop light and drive like a maniac. 

So cooler heads prevailed and we figured the extra money was key.  We would have had to put another $1000 down for the S and still had little bit higher payments.  And since Kristy has 0 income the next 9 months at least with hair school with me following suit soon the lower down payment, monthly payments and insurance will help that.  That was one of the reasons we started looking at the cooper in the first place.  It is a relatively cheap, quality car we both like. 

Oh and the Mrs can't drive a manual nor will she learn so an automatic is a must.  And an automatic S gets pretty expensive.  BTW, we are leasing it for 36 months so resale isn't a big deal.  If it was only mine it would have been a manual S for sure. 

Thanks for the tip on the K&N.  Will definately do that when it arrives.

Can't wait. [sm_eekdance] [sm_headbang]

Did you check to see if your clubs would fit in the back without lowering the seat backs?

I briefly considered a Mini Cooper when I bought my RSX, but at the time, I kept my clubs in the car and the area didn't look big enough and it was exposed.

I hope you really enjoy your car (but you should have got the S  [sm_devil]).

No I'm sure the seats must be down for them to fit.  But I don't keep my clubs in the car anyways so no big deal. 

 ;D  Don't make me call and change my order. ;)

The concern about driving like a maniac is legitimate. I've had to tell myself to dial it back on a number of occasions. A set of golf clubs absolutely will not fit without folding down the seats. With the seats folded down, two sets of clubs fit just fine.

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/4b/TITD8.jpg)

I don't really care for the looks of mini coopers.  What attracts you to them?

I like the style of them.  Best looking economical car IMO that is also sporty and fun to drive.  Drives like a smaller BMW 3 series.  You really have to drive one to understand how fun they are.  And BMW/Mini Cooper provides great service for the entire lease at a good price.  There is a reason these things resale so well I suppose.

But different strokes for different folks I guess.

They might be fun to drive; I'll have to take your word for that.

Sporty? [sm_scratch] Ah.... Let's just say I've always thought the stripes look out-of-place.  If I were to call them anything besides something "I don't care for", I'd lean towards cute.  But I'm not there yet, either.

Sorry. :)


Oh, well.  Enjoy your new car.

Walfredo and stroh (NSFET) both nailed it.  ;D

But I can't read stroh's, so that's of no help to me.

It's okay I think they are cute too. 

But stroh really is more correct. ;D

EAGLE- Really "cute" is the only word that can accurately describe them. However, if you have a sense of the Mini's heritage, "sporty" isn't inappropriate either, particularly once you've driven one. It's like a go-kart for grown ups.

Walfredo- I didn't realize that you were leasing, not buying. Slamming a K&N into it might violate the terms of the lease, you might want to check into that first.

Oh yeah probably right.  But I may not need to as my rep called to finalize everything this morning prior to getting the production #.  And she asked is there anything else before I send it on.

I said yeah can you go ahead and make it the S? 

So an S is on the way. [sm_naughty] [sm_eekdance] [sm_headbang]
Wife said it is your car so you get what you want.   :D

I almost died in one in 1971.  I don't think it had airbags though.

Airbags aren't very sporty.

 [sm_buddies]

 [sm_thumbsup]  Enjoy!

I think a vw bug is cuter, but I'll try to start liking them more for you guys. :)

good cause the vw bug is teh suk ;D

Nuh-uh! :nono:  The vw bug has better lines. :D 

I'll still try to like the mini coopers for you, though.

Do you actually drive a bug? For some reason, I thought you still got around on one of these:

(http://www.justbicycles.com/store/images/Banana%20Seat%20Bike%20Purple%20400.jpg)

No, I don't drive a bug, they're too easily squished.  I still don't have my license either.  But, when I am looking for a vehicle, a deep midnight blue Chevy Silverado would be my first choice.

So yes, I still have the bike, and it's much prettier than the one in that pic.  It's a 26" Magna Outreach (mountain bike) with a deep magenta finish.

Good on you.  ;D

Have fun!

I saw a blue mini cooper today that I thought I *could* like.  I think I can pinpoint the thing that I don't like the most.  Most colors don't seem to look great on it because of the chrome finish (which especially stand out around the headlights).  Oh, and racing strips still look out of place. 

But as with most cars, if I can find a color that I think it looks good on it, I can like it.

(See!  I am trying. :))

Enjoy the car.