any one ever driven a mini cooper (non s)?

[sean]

I am looking at a 2003 mini with 79000 miles on it. Its a little ways away but I am interested. The mpg's alone have me interested. Have any of you guys driven one? Every thing I have read has said how much fun they are and that they are quick little cars.

[Kevin1989]

I am looking at a 2003 mini with 79000 miles on it. Its a little ways away but I am interested. The mpg's alone have me interested. Have any of you guys driven one? Every thing I have read has said how much fun they are and that they are quick little cars.

... this and the clown car? im starting to wonder about you sean

[sean]

I just dont care any more. I've had so many cars. I can't find anything that gets me excited any more. I've had a bunch of offers on my car but nothing that I have to have. Waiting to hear back on a sc fox and a turbo fox too. We will see. The mini always looked fun. I'm just so bored with most cars.

[97dustang]

I've driven them, they aren't very quick at all but they do handle very well. I'm 6'2" and 220 lbs and I fit but it's pretty tight. They are a pain to work on and the parts are very expensive and they do have their problems.

[97dustang]

U still got those 2 bikes?

[sean]

Naa. I sold the R1 and bought the mustang. I still have the shadow. I won't part with it. I really like that bike.

[Mista Bone]

80,000 miles on a BMW, thats about when maint. costs go through the roof!

[redfirepearlgt]

Oh Sean are you getting caught up in euro-prestige syndrome? Dial 911 and SBZ emergency services are enroute to save you from your melt down. LOL! There are plenty of domestics that are surely (and please dont call me shirley) within your budget that look nice and get great gas mileage. No reason to go there my friend. Like mista-bone said any BMW product with over 80K (or 40K from what I have heard from BMW owners) changes the acronym from Bavarian Motor Works to Bring Money With - You. Ford Fusion (IL4), Ford Focus, Ford Escort, Ford Contour, Ford Mustang V6, Pontiac G6, Grand Am, G5, sunbird, Chev Cobalt, Cavalier, Malibu, etc. You have a wide variety. My company Fusion IL4 averages 28-30 and I drive it like a rental car. Surely beefcake has something available he could put ou into that you would like and would get good gas mileage. Good luck.

[sean]

It's not so much mpg just looks like a fun car. I've had a lot of foreign cars but not one of those. I still have a few cars I'm waiting to hear back about. We will see.

[97dustang]

Toyota mr2's are fun little cars that are equivalent to the mini except they aren't super expensive and dont have a bunch of problems

[sean]

I have considered those too.

[Yellow98Cobra]

Never have driven a non S, my parents have had a Mini Clubman and just recently traded it in on a countryman. They are pretty quick for what they are. They handle like they are on rails. I would say if you were going to get one get the S. As far as room, I am just under 6'7 and I fit these two just fine.

[Mista Bone]

Never have driven a non S, my parents have had a Mini Clubman and just recently traded it in on a countryman. They are pretty quick for what they are. They handle like they are on rails. I would say if you were going to get one get the S. As far as room, I am just under 6'7 and I fit these two just fine.

Let me see you sit in the back seat then :)

[Yellow98Cobra]

Let me see you sit in the back seat then :)


I have sat in the back seat the country man is four door plenty of room

[Stang88]

Just beware of those year models! The tranny had issues in both manual and autos. Unless you decide to make it an "s" model by putting a turbo on it, I believe you would be disappointed with the power output. My wife and I test drove in 2008 ,an '08 s model and a non s model and the difference is substantial! The non s model was a let down. A few of our friends in Chicago (had) an '03 and the got rid of it bc of so many transmission issues. I think BMW changed the transmission in '07-'08. I also heard that oil changes on the engine are a pain in the butt. I'm not sure if that's true, but our friends relayed that info to us. It seems that most people lease them bc all maintenance is covered if you lease. That's the deal they were offering anyways at the time we were looking. I will say the new Ford fiesta looks like its pretty fun to drive as well as the focus. Good luck.

[sean]

Well I have decided to not trade my mustang for the cooper. I am glad i asked you guys.

[97dustang]

Yea any work on those suck, look into the mr2, just make sure u get a stick the autos suck

[redfirepearlgt]

What about an Miata? When you get bored with the four beater in it, upgrade it to a 302 package!!!! Seen a few of those running around.

[Mista Bone]

What about an Miata? When you get bored with the four beater in it, upgrade it to a 302 package!!!! Seen a few of those running around.

LSx powered Miata......

[Blackout]

I've drove one. The Mini's are cool. I myself, as a gas saving daily driver, I would like to have a Cobolt SS Turbo. I just think they are a cool little car.

[sean]

What about an Miata? When you get bored with the four beater in it, upgrade it to a 302 package!!!! Seen a few of those running around.

I have a miata now. It's a good time too. Doing the swap right is ssssspensive.

[bestracing]

Yea any work on those suck, look into the mr2, just make sure u get a stick the autos suck

Make sure the fuel lines are in good shape. Seen to many post about those MR2's and Fiero's burning to the ground due to fuel line problems.

[redfirepearlgt]

I have a miata now. It's a good time too. Doing the swap right is ssssspensive.

Well good grief man, how many cars and bikes and dinosaurs (avatar) do you have anyway? LOL!

[redfirepearlgt]

Make sure the fuel lines are in good shape. Seen to many post about those MR2's and Fiero's burning to the ground due to fuel line problems.

Weren't the Fieros also a fire issue (high insurance risk) because of magnesium engine parts or something along that line?

[MrsAPE]

I've been wanting one for years now. They just look like such fun!! I'm thinking I'd look pretty cool cruising around in one!! Alan keeps 'building' me ones on the site!! Girl can dream!!

[04 Venom]

Minis are great driving cars, but they placed 33 out of 33 in JD Powers reliability ratings.

[sean]

lol I saw that. I am out on the mini. I am looking into a spotless mr2 turbo. I dont know yet.

[sean]

Well good grief man, how many cars and bikes and dinosaurs (avatar) do you have anyway? LOL!

lol... Well I have the hillbilly (big usless jacked up 4x4 chevy) my miata, the mustang and the bike. ohh and the odyssey 350R if you want to count that.. lol I have extreme A.D.D. when it comes to any thing nice. I always want to turn it and try something else. I need help...lol

[97dustang]

Lol I think we all have that problem, the grass is always greener right?

[sean]

Well if I get this job I am going to keep the mustang... more than likley. I am also going to put a small turbo on the clown car. That should be fun.

[sean]

Lol I think we all have that problem, the grass is always greener right?

Man you have no idea. I have had so many cars I cant remember half of them. I have a guy right now wanting to trade me a beautiful 65 tempest that is now a gto clone. I really want to do it but hes a little ways away. Red with black interior. Its a beauty.

[redfirepearlgt]

Man you have no idea. I have had so many cars I cant remember half of them. I have a guy right now wanting to trade me a beautiful 65 tempest that is now a gto clone. I really want to do it but hes a little ways away. Red with black interior. Its a beauty.

My oldest friend's father passed away a little over a year ago. HE LOVED MUSTANGS, as does his son and daughter. They said he would go buy a mustang, bring it home and was known to sell it the same day he bought it simply because someone who saw it really liked it. Seems like his total mustang ownership over his life was estimated at 84, That did not include DD's, utility vehicles, his fairlane craze or his cougars he owned during those years. He passed at age 76 while restoring an all numbers matching 67 GT500 Shelby that was in its 19th+ year of restoration. His son and daughter are completing it with help from close friends.