Any thoughts on the Mini Cooper?

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    Author Topic: Any thoughts on the Mini Cooper?  (Read 5190 times)

    Offline Super Blue 72

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    Re: Any thoughts on the Mini Cooper?
    « Reply #15 on: April 24, 2012 - 10:56:04 AM »
    I drove a Mini on a little track set up in a parking lot, handles like a go cart.  There's a hopped up one around my work and I hear it start up, nasty sounding exhaust, very cool.  No idea about reliability.

    As far as the Fiat, here's a video on this lnk, the Abarth sounds mean! 

    http://www.fiat500abarth.us/2012/2012-fiat-500-abarth-reviews/
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    Offline 440magnum

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    Re: Any thoughts on the Mini Cooper?
    « Reply #16 on: April 24, 2012 - 12:48:29 PM »
    Beware of rust. I have seen some with large blemishes, mainly on the lower part of the doors that should not be there on such new cars if you ask me.
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    Offline Super Blue 72

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    Re: Any thoughts on the Mini Cooper?
    « Reply #17 on: April 24, 2012 - 11:49:39 PM »
    I saw that Mini again at work.  It's one of those John Cooper Works deals.  Cool little car.

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    Offline JeffAARy

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    Re: Any thoughts on the Mini Cooper?
    « Reply #18 on: April 25, 2012 - 06:10:49 PM »
    My thought:  get a used SRT-4 Caliber instead.  Faster, quicker, 2 more doors, more room inside, a hatchback, and a MOPAR.
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    Offline ViperMan

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    Re: Any thoughts on the Mini Cooper?
    « Reply #19 on: April 26, 2012 - 01:56:51 PM »
    Unfortunately the Calibers weren't very reliable OR memorable.  The president of Dodge was quoted as saying, "We had a going-away party for the Caliber.  No one showed up..."

    You'll love the Mini until you have to put tires on it, which is somewhat often from what I've heard - they use run-flats since you can't fit a spare in them.  So you pay premium price for the tire as WELL as premium price for the tire installation.

    As much as I hate the little cars, the recommendation to go with the Fiat was probably a good one.  Top Gear hated how many good things they found to say about it...  :)
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    Offline spamtank

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    Any thoughts on the Mini Cooper?
    « Reply #20 on: April 26, 2012 - 02:44:16 PM »
    The wife didn't like the look of the Caliber.  We liked the way the mini drove. Great feedback on the tires.  I will poke at that.

    Hope to drive the Fiat Saturday.
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    Rick, Manchester, NH
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    Offline MEK-Dangerfield

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    Re: Any thoughts on the Mini Cooper?
    « Reply #21 on: April 26, 2012 - 03:44:36 PM »
    Quote from: ViperMan on April 26, 2012 - 01:56:51 PM


    As much as I hate the little cars, the recommendation to go with the Fiat was probably a good one.  Top Gear hated how many good things they found to say about it...  :)

    Jeff,

      They were letting people test drive the Fiat at Carlisle last year. You didn't happen to get in line did you?

    I saw it and thought it was some kind of cross between the mini Cooper and a VW beetle. 
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    Offline JeffAARy

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    Re: Any thoughts on the Mini Cooper?
    « Reply #22 on: April 26, 2012 - 06:21:04 PM »
    Quote from: spamtank on April 26, 2012 - 02:44:16 PM
    The wife didn't like the look of the Caliber. 

    I don't like the look of Calibers either.  SRT-4 Calibers are a whole other story.  Kind of like the difference between a green-on-green 1971 slant-six Barracuda with wheel covers, and an orange 1971 Hemi Cuda with billboards.
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    Offline NoMope Greg

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    Re: Any thoughts on the Mini Cooper?
    « Reply #23 on: April 27, 2012 - 10:12:48 AM »
    One of my co-workers just bought a Fiat 500 convertible and took me for a ride in it - fun little car.  A little small in there, even compared to a Mini.  I drove a Cooper S a few years back - very nice car.  If I were buying a small car, I'd get the Mini.  Of course, I say that without having driven an Abarth and having some hot Italian model leaning all over me when I get out of the car.  :bigsmile:   :roflsmiley:



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    Greg
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    Offline spamtank

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    Re: Any thoughts on the Mini Cooper?
    « Reply #24 on: April 29, 2012 - 08:59:35 PM »
    Well, I drove the Fiat 500 on Saturday.  First, the trip to the dealer's location was a nightmare.  about 45 miles, with the last 15 miles on a main road that was stop and go.  The Fiat drove nice.  Probably similar in handling and pickup to the Mini.  I thought the Fiat had more useable trunk space than the Mini, but I felt more cramped in the Fiat, and I'm not a large person.  I must be getting old.  While on the test drive, the salesman told me to really open it up on the highway.  "Drive it like you normally would," he said. That's what I was doing.  I forgot I was in Massachusetts.  I was only doing 70 in a 65 zone.  In the end, I couldn't bear the thought of having to make that drive for any dealer specific service.  And I really do like the styling of the Mini better than the Fiat.

    Anyway, we ended up trading our Odyssey Mini Van in for the Mini Cooper today.  Felt like we got a fair deal.  We both like the car so far.  Takes up a lot less space in the garage.  May leave more room for mopar parts.

    I appreciate all the feedback and suggestions.

    Rick

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    Rick, Manchester, NH
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    Offline 71gogreen

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    Re: Any thoughts on the Mini Cooper?
    « Reply #25 on: April 29, 2012 - 09:50:05 PM »
    You proably bought the right car.I was at a fiat dealership today looking for a graduation gift for my daughter.I was disappointed that the fiats are being made in mexico.I guess thats why all the Illegals are heading back to mexico.Theres proably more jobs down there then here.Thanks again mr hopless change.I will not buy a fiat now. :smokin: >:(
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    Offline Gumby

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    Re: Any thoughts on the Mini Cooper?
    « Reply #26 on: April 29, 2012 - 10:36:51 PM »
    The Mini's with the hatch back doors on the rear are very cool looking! I like the Minis. Don't know anything about the maint., but they sure look nice.
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    Offline spamtank

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    Re: Any thoughts on the Mini Cooper?
    « Reply #27 on: April 30, 2012 - 05:37:26 AM »
    One thing I noticed as I walked up to the Fiat was the quality of the paint, or lack there of.  It looked like a scale replica of the surface of the moon.  I wouldn't exactly describe it as orange peel, but it was very noticeably uneven.  Maybe that's how they achieve some of their fuel economy with the golf ball micro-dimpling.  :roflsmiley:  Probably watched a Myth Buster Episode, and thought it'd be a good idea.
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    Rick, Manchester, NH
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    Offline thedodgeboys

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    Re: Any thoughts on the Mini Cooper?
    « Reply #28 on: April 30, 2012 - 05:48:54 AM »
    Good score I think you made the right choice, I'm looking forward to seeing what the new Dart brings to the table.
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    Offline ViperMan

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    Re: Any thoughts on the Mini Cooper?
    « Reply #29 on: April 30, 2012 - 09:25:29 AM »
    Quote from: MEK-Dangerfield on April 26, 2012 - 03:44:36 PM
    Jeff,

      They were letting people test drive the Fiat at Carlisle last year. You didn't happen to get in line did you?

    I saw it and thought it was some kind of cross between the mini Cooper and a VW beetle. 

    If you ever see me in line to drive a Fiat; rescue me!  It's most likely because someone lead me to believe it's a line for free beer!

    :rofl:

    They might be nice little cars, but you'll never catch me dead in one.  :)
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