Any thoughts on the Mini Cooper?

[spamtank]

We're seriously thinking about replacing our Mini Van with a Mini Cooper.  Anyone have any experience with these?     We are looking at a 2008 or newer.  Probably stay away from the Turbocharged version, since it seems like that have some reliability problems.

We may drive a used challenger or two (or maybe 3 or 4), but since this will be my wife's car, I think she wants something smaller. 

Thanks for any feedback you might have.

[ChallengerHK]

A friend has one. Handles like a dream. Fairly quick, and hers is non-turbo. No problems with hers that I'm aware of, but the friend in question races in SCCA and works in a BMW dealer, so I may not have heard about any problems that she might have had. OTOH, I'm 6'0", and it's a fairly tight fit for me.

[spamtank]

A friend has one. Handles like a dream. Fairly quick, and hers is non-turbo. No problems with hers that I'm aware of, but the friend in question races in SCCA and works in a BMW dealer, so I may not have heard about any problems that she might have had. OTOH, I'm 6'0", and it's a fairly tight fit for me.

Appreciate the feedback.  I found a website that had a lot of reports of problems.  But after I looked at some of the other manufacturers, their complaint rate is probably almost on par with Honda or Toyota.  We'll take one for a drive and see if we like it. 

[dodj]

Don't know anybody that owns one, but the mini Cooper looks pretty cool, so it would be at the top of my 'mini' car list. 

[72bluNblu]

I know a few people that have them and love them. I think the biggest thing to consider is that they're basically BMW's. Which is good in that they handle well, have solid powerplants and do very well as far as safety stuff is concerned. But, it also means that any services that need to be done will be expensive. Same goes for any parts, you won't be finding them for cheap. My understanding is that they hold up pretty well and don't need a lot, but the price of maintenance is something you should keep in mind.

[Topcat]

Add a little more power to them.

http://www.torquenews.com/sites/default/files/image-106/%5Btitle-raw%5D/maxi%20cooper%20lead%20in.JPG?1320697228

[Chryco Psycho]

I was talking to a couple of people about them ,
1 -  they are overpriced
2- they said they had to sell it before the warranty ran out as there was no way they could afford all the repairs without warranty coverage

[spamtank]

Add a little more power to them.

http://www.torquenews.com/sites/default/files/image-106/%5Btitle-raw%5D/maxi%20cooper%20lead%20in.JPG?1320697228

You'd be able to smoke the tires on that thing.  Probably a little more than necessary for my wife's use around town. 

[spamtank]

Appreciate that feedback from everyone. 

Good point on the warranty, and repair work.  Maybe in this case, purchasing/negotiating an extended warranty (which I rarely do), would be worth the money.

I think if I dropped in an elephant motor, that might void any warranty they offer.

[GranCuda1970]

I would not drive one if it was given to me IMHO!!!  Looks like it should have a barbie doll put in it. If I ever get nutered I might want to drive one!! 

[JS27N0B]

I'll throw a curve at you. If you are looking for a small car like that done't rule out the Fiat 500. I just finished a week long training course on them and am very impressed. Auto trans is overkill tough, everything is very well engineered. Multi-Air technology is fantastic.
I also heard the Abarth Turbo models are outselling the Cooper S.

[72hemi]

Definitely go with the 2008 or newer. They are great cars. A friend of mine owns a shop that works on MINI's and he said they are amazing cars (he has several himself). He told me only get the turbocharged model as the standard is gutless and can't get out of its own way. They have really high resale value and for the most part there is no negotiating of the price because the cars are in such demand (last I checked the plant is running 3 shifts, 24 hours a day to pump these cars out).

As for the Fiat 500, another great small car and I can't wait to see the Abarth up close.

[74CudaDave]

I've got a 2007 Cooper S auto with paddles. It's a blast. Quick, handles like you wouldn't believe, way better mileage than the Barracuda. I'm 6'1" and I've got plenty of leg room (the seats travel alot). No one behind me would, but it IS a small car after all. There was a recal for the auxilliary turbo cooler, and I managed to get the timing chain/gears/guides replaced under warranty. Other than that, the only thing I don't like is the automatic pulse wiper system - you can't set the delay, it senses the rain on the w/s and adjusts itself accrodingly, which is a little hap-hazard.

When I had it in for the timing repairs, they gave me a 2011 non-turbo model as a loaner - definitely alot less power than the turbo model.

[willhaven]

They're great little cars.

If I replaced my daily driver with a Mini, it would either be the Clubman or the Countryman.

[spamtank]

Thanks again, guys. We drove one last night.  And everyone liked it a lot. We are going to try the Fiat 500 before we make a final choice.  Downside to the Fiat is the dealership is 40 miles away in Mass.