[OT] I want a Mini!

webguy330i said:

So I was just over at miniusa.com pricing out my dream Mini Cooper S. What a little rocket that thing is gonna be. 0-60 in 6.9, 170hp of blown 4-cylinder power mated to a 6spd Getrag... gorgeous interior! My fully-loaded Mini-S was just under $26k, which I think is a steal for the car that you're getting.

Anyone else think this is a sweet little ride?

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Too spendy and small, IMHO. If I'm spending 26K, a WRX sportwagon or a GTI VR6 6 speed is the natural choice. Both offer a lot more performance but (more importantly) a lot more room.

Actually, if I were shopping for a hot hatch (and I sort of am, in an off-handed way), I'd go with the GTI 1.8T or the SVT Focus and save 6 grand. The Focus, especially, is supposed to be the second coming in terms of handling. Although it's straight line speed is not up to Mini Cooper S standards, it has more room and when I really want to rock and roll, 6 grand will buy a lot of gas for the M3.

Me too! :thumb: I was going to get in line to get one, but I backed out. I'll wait until the demand dies down and the bugs (a lot apparently) are worked out.

webguy330i said:

So I was just over at miniusa.com pricing out my dream Mini Cooper S. What a little rocket that thing is gonna be. 0-60 in 6.9, 170hp of blown 4-cylinder power mated to a 6spd Getrag... gorgeous interior! My fully-loaded Mini-S was just under $26k, which I think is a steal for the car that you're getting.

Anyone else think this is a sweet little ride?

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The miniusa site is pretty sweet.

Until today I didn't realize the Cooper S was manual only.. interesting. I'm sort of surprised really when I think about it.. but glad

I have no intention on owning a mini.. if I did get one, it would be a bare bones model because it would be rarely used and kept at a secondary residence.

My grandmother had a R4.. that tiny renault did well. Those little cars seem to have a lot of personality. Not sure if thats worth $30k tho.

webguy330i said:

See I'm not so concerned about the room. I like the looks, and I can't imagine it would take too much to make this thing a sub-6s 0-60 mini monster.

Maybe since you have an M3, we have different priorities when it comes to a 2nd car. =)

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Probably, yeah.

Actually, I just went over to the Mini site and built my own. Being judicious with the options list (no packages, SR, HS, MF wheel, std. paint, 'ette) the MSRP is a more reasonable 21,270 or something. That's actually pretty reasonable; though it's more expensive than the Focus, it's within a couple of grand. Of course, dealers will gouge for 6 months or so, and I'm concerned that the Mini will very much be a fad car like the Beetle, but at that price point I will consider one.

Ummm. i think I will pass too on this Mini S.

I have a deposit with the local dealer and interestingly i got a call today on my voicemessage to come in to test drive one. I however think i am gonna back out of this. The car looks really nice and all, but for the size it's 2 expensive. More importantly I think I rather spend another 6k and get a honda s2k. i know I know---a honda is a honda and a mini is a bmw. but i have one bmw of my own and each siblings in our family has one as well. Meaning I have access to them all the time. if I was rich and could get all the cars in the world I want then mini would be there on top of the list. But for now, I will ask my deposit back tomorrow.

LIL Raja

ps. unless after driving it I am totally sold and need to have one of my own.

Go and test drive it. You'll love that little monster. I test drove a Mini One a month ago or so. Great fun to drive.

I also read some track comparisons about the Mini. It is on some hairpins quicker than the E46 M3 and MB AMG C32, believe me.

If anyone needs I may scan the article and the speed table.

mini will set a benchmark for FWD handling.

probably on the same plateua as the new focus SVT.

it's amazing what shorter wheelbase cars can do in terms of FWD handling.

i would really love to have one, too! three dogs just don't fit into that picture, though.

(sighs).

Re: mini will set a benchmark for FWD handling.

blackdawg said:

probably on the same plateua as the new focus SVT.

it's amazing what shorter wheelbase cars can do in terms of FWD handling.

i would really love to have one, too! three dogs just don't fit into that picture, though.

(sighs).

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You just need to get smaller dogs. You know, smaller dogs weigh less, are faster, eat less, live longer...:thumb:

damn you.

my labradors are probably the equivalent of the 5 series.

they're agile enough, but not as fast as those little frasier eddie dogs.

but if i wanted the fastest dogs like i want the fastest car, i would adopt greyhounds.



i REALLY want a mini. too bad my wife is happy with the wagon. rats.

I REALLY like the Mini as well. But it does not make any sense for us to own one. As "ict330xi" said above, "If I had a 3 car garage and could afford to have a 26K car that just sat 6 days of the week then I would have one in a New York minute." That describes my situation perfectly. But I only have a two car garage and reasonably limited funds. Ah well... I'm still glad they're building it. It's the only current BMW offering that interests me at all (in terms of something I'd actually spend my own money on - sure I'd take an M5 or a Z8 - anyone buying?).

Re: um, this is a drool-esque writeup.

blackdawg said:

http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/roadtests/firstdrive/53755/article.html

ps. TD: i'd take a nice "used" F355 over that Z8 anyday (since we're talking hypothetical money to burn).

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I was burning my hypothetical money at the BMW dealer with the Z8 reference.

While I'd certainly accept an F355, my hypothetical 6 figure car purchase would be the Porsche 911 GT2. Only $180K.