owned a MINI from 2010 till last month,
2010 hardtop S, and then a 2013 hardtop S,

totaled,, by a GMC,
I walked away,,

they are Fantastic Cars,

the 2010 was used, dealer car, extended warranty for tires/rims (used it a few times to pay for itself and then some) and the Maintenance plan (worth it, )
total cost of repairs was $167 excluding normal tire and alignment costs,

the 13 had all extended maintenance and warranties,, wehn totaled at 72K cash outlay was $0, excluding tire and alignment costs,


downside, if yo drove it like you stole it like I did, tires may last 18months,
dealer alignments were $200, but often on sale esp it you bought the tires from the dealer (my dealer is competitive on tire pricing, and will match)

both of mine as mentioned were S, harmon Kardon radios, Auto wipers, lights, and HVAC,

Mini's tend to be love them or hate them,
the haters think they are a girly car etc etc,


the base cars are still good cars, just not as quick,

Beware the moose... this happened the other day in Campton NH! Must be pretty safe little cars- ate a moose, rolled over onto roof. Witnesses rolled the car back upright, driver with minor injuries self-extricated, passenger serious but not life/threatening injuries.

^^^^
Mini


^^^^^^^^^^^
Mini Cooper

Let me be clear here guys, we have 4 other cars. This will not be a daily driver. Just something for her drive once in a while. We already have a Honda as well.

Have a “new” 2016 JCW we picked up last year. It is a light(er)weight BMW 1-series which is fone with us. We replaced a 135i with this. Manual, put a Dinan piggyback chip on so pushing 280 at the wheels and over 300 ft-lb torque. First gear is short - too short. Well built solid sporty ride. We have more fun with this than the 135i bit does not have brute torque of the N55 engine. Love rowing the gears and put on a short shifter. Run flats not bad but will be replaced. Wife loves it as do I - and 4 adults can fit...more room than our 135i.

From Consumer reports

All four of my MINIs were weekend cars, and I'm glad they weren't daily drivers. The suspensions were too tight for our bad roads and the doors were too long. I never had any mechanical problems with mine, but that's because I took care of them and I didn't have them long enough to break down.

I loved each one, and if I could have one back in the shape I parted with it, it would have to be my '05 British racing green/white roof hardtop Cooper. It truly was a go kart with quirky interior controls. Also, you could play hard with all of them and still get great fuel mileage doing it.

Also, they live above 100 mph, so I'm kind of glad I'm out of the hobby because I'm still alive and not in jail.

I hear the Mustang convertible with ecoboost turbo is a blast.

Not an owner, but have been madly ferried around the city and ring roads by a gearbox rowing enthusiast ... a 2007 Cooper S Chilli (yellow).

I found this R&T article, which covers the good and the bad of the Gen 1 series ...

Everything You Need to Know Before Buying a Mini Cooper S

The first-generation of the new Mini Cooper, or R53, is a hilariously fun hot hatch. Here's what you need to know before you get one.

[Extract]
The early-2000s Cooper S also drives better, thanks to a zippy supercharged engine, great steering, and willing chassis.
It's not what you'd call reliable – one almost wonders if BMW had a few technicians wandering around randomly loosening screws on the assembly line to more authentically recreate the British Motoring Experience.
However, any time you meet an owner, they seem only too happy to both damn and praise their little car in equal measure.
The R53 Mini Cooper S is a machine that stirs the emotions: fondness, frustration, and pure driving joy.
Here's how to find room for a Mini in your life.

Link

We've had three. No problems with any of them worth mentioning. Been thru the MINI factory in Oxford and if you get the chance go see how they build them.

No spec cars are build, dealers must order every single car.

RMD

quote:

Originally posted by doublesharp:
I hear the Mustang convertible with ecoboost turbo is a blast.

Did you hear that from someone at the old age home? I rented one on vaca and man was it slow. I had previously rented the V6 non-turbo version and that at least felt a little bit like a Mustang.