TRINITONY

The 2011+ engines seem to be having issues also, blown engines @ 5k... http://www.northamericanmotoring.com...moke-ughh.html

and more. http://www.northamericanmotoring.com...ms-issues-188/

LastMezger

You've gotta try one. It's always wagging its back end around and turn in like crazy. About the only thing it can't do is power oversteer. Fun car.

bart1

I would definitely take an FRS or BRZ instead, but I can get into a MINI much cheaper and get considerably better gas mileage for my long commute.

I can drive the Coop for a couple years and then go to a gently used BRZ

RodKnock

This is a good thread for those of us that are just interested in fun cars in general. Good information. Thank you.

NC TRACKRAT

I, too, had a preconceived notion about the new range of front wheel drive cars, even after spending time back in the '60's with early Mini Cooper S's. My wife changed my mind when she purchased a 2003 MCS with all the bells & whistles. Every time she would let me drive, I couldn't stop smiling. Finally got my own '05 TRACKRAT. Huge rear sway bar set full hard, 200 FWHP, neg. camber plates, etc. Great throttle-steer, minimal torque steer...Just plain 'ol F-U-N!

Quadcammer

drove one (06ish s), hated it. gauge placement sucks, i couldnt get comfortable, ride sucked, buzzy engine, lacking power, etc. the steering was decent and i liked the gearbox, but i would absolutely murder myself if i had to drive one of those little ****boxes everyday
why not just get a used e46 3 series, get way more car, and use the money saved on gas

skl

Had a 1st generation new MCS ( '03) for my wife's DD. We both loved it. Had said I'd never buy an English car with no dealer in town as at the time the dealer was 3 hours away in KC though now there is a dealer in DM. Only had 1 issue with a bad headlight unit, otherwise very reliable. Always put a smile on my face when driving it. It is a classic example of "more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow". But it really didn't seem that slow. Actually prefer the looks of the first generation over the new ones. Haven't driven the turbo S but I kind of liked the whine of the supercharger on ours, and there was obviously no turbo lag!

foxj0001

I bought my wife her first mini, a 2005 Cooper S coupe, with the JSCooper Works factory mod pgk - something like 215hp. s/c 4banger it was a blast, she loved it with a smooth as silk 6sp getrag tranny, I put bigger wheels and real summer performance tires on it rather than the runflats (don't run well when flat, noisy when not flat, crappy grip, not very good as all season tires, either, imho). She drove that car for 30k mi without any serious problems other than a minor front suspension issue from hitting a pothole...).
A year and a half ago she wanted a new one, so we sold the 2005 to a deserving young club racer and got her a 2011 Clubman S. She loves the extra room (carts our two small dogs around with all of their training gear) and I have to say the electronic gizmos are big improvement over the earlier version.
Final answer: fun to drive, good performance, stable and sure-footed at speed, roomy, comfortable over long drives, very good electronics/sound/satradio/nav etc. A lot of car for the money, and would be happy to use as my DD (if I were not completely smitten with my 2012 C2GTS!).
Jonathan

XavierLaFlamme

My wife has had an 07 S for 5 years now. I drive it whenever my car is broken or I have broken my car. You wouldn't be surprised how often that is. Anyway, I love it but the ride is a tad harsh and the torque steer is alarming. Once you get used to it though, it is a charming little go-kart. I think the design is great from the outside. It is just one of those profiles that I really appreciate.

The interior is a little fussy though but I have a 993 so anything is a little fussy after that. Drive one for sure if you haven't already gone and bought one. I am always late to the party commenting on threads.

--Michael

DanQ

If you are just using it as a DD, I'd recommend a regular cooper WITHOUT the sport suspension and run flats. Much better ride. Better gas mileage as well. cheaper too. Not as fast as a 993 but perfect for the city or highway. 38mpg highway is easy.

We sold our 2002 M5 the wife was using as a DD and bought her the 08 mini. She loves it as a DD. Replaced the grill, side markers, and wheels. Use the skinny factory wheels in the winter.

mjsporsche

The Mini is a great car but they do develop issues as the miles pile on. And the comfort level for someone piling tons of miles every day is questionable.

I think your love affair with a Mini will be short lived when you crawl out of the car after your daily long commute. VW diesel would be a great option.

pirahna

Right after I brought home the 993.

Stealth 993

Our MINI is the same yellow with yellow interior accents.

Not sure about moving from a M5 to a MINI, we just went the other way, and picked up a 08 M5 to give us a car with interior space.

TRINITONY

you ask for pitchers.....

993/907

Anybody have pics of one beside a 993? (because we all like pics)