View Full Version : What do people think of the Mini ? (new one)
I still can't drive yet, :shocked:, but thinking about getting one of these 2nd hand after my test. Are these good cars for a first time car owner? Just looking for general info and opinions, handling, reliablilty, fuel consumption and which model to get.
leowyatt
17-07-2006, 19:58
From what I've heard they are a great hoot. My mate Andy at work is going to buy one, I'll find out what options he's getting and what one he'd recommend.
My brothers ex wife had a Cooper S and it was a blast to drive. Shockingly bad rear leg room but if like me you don't give a toss about the poor sods in the back, they're a good choice.
Matblack
17-07-2006, 20:57
Really liked driving the S but it was just too expensive when I bought the Clio
MB
My brothers ex wife had a Cooper S and it was a blast to drive. Shockingly bad rear leg room but if like me you don't give a toss about the poor sods in the back, they're a good choice.
my mates can learn some yoga first if they want to get in the back, sob them :D
my mates can learn some yoga first if they want to get in the back, sob them :D
Good attitude :D
Flibster
17-07-2006, 23:17
Ugly
Trying to sell too much on the old *proper* Mini
Unreliable from what I've heard
I couldn't fit in the thing comfortably in the drivers seat :eek:
No boot
No rear legroom
Far too expensive
Not for me...
Simon/~Flibster
I like the look
I am only 5'8
All my friends have cars, so they are not going to be asking for lifts
I travel light, and i can use the back seat for luggage
you are right about the price but i'll see what i can find in the 2nd hand market when i come to get it.
Flibster
17-07-2006, 23:48
5'10" to 5'11"
It was just unplausably uncomfortable for it's size.
Thats another thing wrong with it... It's too big!
As for the Mini *not the BMW* They are fabulous cars. Totally revolutionary and bloody effective. Not only as a means of transport but as a rally car.
My old Technology teacher used to rally one. He was 6'6" and loved it.
I had one for a while before I decided to rebuild the engine and then left in out in the rain with no head on for 3 years... Oops.
BMW really missed the point of the Mini. It was a cheap and revolutionary form of transport.
They made a scaled up uglyficated *is that a word?* replica of it to fit fat yanks or 17 estate agents in but totally missed the reason for the Mini.
TBH - the only way I would drive a BMW 0.5 series is at gunpoint.
I'd go for the Micra instead - looks hideous but as a first car is preferable in almost any way.
Simon/~Flibster
It's too big yet it's uncomfortable ???
Flibster
18-07-2006, 00:24
It's too big yet it's uncomfortable ???
It's far too big for something with no rear legroom and no boot and is uncomfortable to be in.
My Megane coupe is not that much bigger and I can fit people in the back and have soemthign that can be considered a boot...well..an oversized letterbox maybe..
May be worth looking at the Suzuki Swift - thats meant to be a little corker of a car.
The Mini should have been a great little car....
Simon/~Flibster
Matblack
18-07-2006, 09:02
BMW mini is an exceptionally good drive, and I (a certified fat git) fit in it woth no issues. If you 're used to a luxo barge the seats are uncomfortable but coming from a CRX/ Clio its about the same.
Build quality is exceptional, the S I drove was absolutely planted and the supercharger makes it feel like a much bigger more capable engine.
Interoir is down to individual taste but is good quality for a small car, no there isn't any room in the boot or the back but this car is not designed to lug things about its the ultimate Metrosexual accessory for the metro who enjoys driving.
If you like it then I'd buy one and if the One or Cooper handles anything like the S it will be an absolute pleasure to drive.
MB
Great car, reasonably swift, great handling.
However, in my opinion, very expensive for what you get. You're paying a lot of cash for the mini name, the fact its built by BMW, and the looks of the thing.
Personally, I wouldn't buy one, I'd get a different hatchback with more pace for less cash.
Space isn't a problem, I don't care about the leg room at the back (I will be driving) or the small boot (I don't play golf and what not). I realise it is expensive for the small car but no one can dispute it is a quality built piece of machineary. And in life you get what you pay for, it's not like I am paying just for the badge, the badge comes with built quality and low depreciation.
The BMW Mini is a good car if the residuals are a bit high; I personally don't like the look of it inside and out but thats just moi.
*Deep breath*
As to the Old Mini, I have never liked them, I love the look of them with the rally lights and general paraphenalia but I find them terribley overhyped. My old man had a Cooper S and I never thought it great, my friend* has a newer Cooper with a 998 engine and again I find it horribly slow. Its great until about 45mph then it just becomes a gutless tin coffin which swerves about on gokart steering. But, I can acknowledge this is why people like it, it is a coffin and it has steering ripped from somthing Honda powered that children drive around a track and it feels like you could die if you hit a stone on the road, and would be amazing once you drop a big engine in it and spend a lorra lorra money on beefing it....
Concluding, too me it doesn't feel like a Car and I [hate myself here] prefer my Mondeo.
I mean its revolutionary as a serial production front wheel drive peoples car, won rallies because, well it had FWD, but I really don't think it great to be in, live with or pay for. I think its just inherited some notion of swinging 60s Michael Caine bitching his arse off with a stiff upper lip and remained a cool car to have.
If I wanted a decent car from the 60s I would take a Lotus 7 with one of the first Cosworth engines. :)
*Infact after driving it, he got really upset as I was swearing at it to make it go faster calling it a rusty piece of tin and doubled the clutch into corners rather than braking; I had to take him out to town and kiss him in apology. :p
but i am not getting a old mini thou...to me they are nothing more than a tin can on 4 wheels.
but i am not getting a old mini thou...to me they are nothing more than a tin can on 4 wheels.
I know, I just wanted to get my disappointment in the machine off my chest. ;D
Matblack
29-07-2006, 19:00
Looks like I may have been persuaded, see my car thread :D
MB
Looks like I may have been persuaded, see my car thread :D
MB
You big gay bear :(
They are horrid little cars :p
Coming from a guy that drives an MX-5 I find that very amusing :D
:huh:
Except the mx5 is a proper sports car, and the BMW Mini is a travesty and a bit of pretentious joke of a car?
I posted that reply ages ago - I've stated my case already, and we agree to disagree that's all. :)
Matblack
30-07-2006, 19:00
I think I might call my Mini 'Willy'
MB
Matblack
30-07-2006, 19:38
Maybe its more of a Daz being such a metro car :D
MB
Matblack
31-07-2006, 14:14
The mini seems to have taken on a mean streak with the additon of a Cooper Works conversion, I think its too evil to be an Octagon not fluffy enough. :evil:
MB
Interesting mental images :/
No. They really aren't :/
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