2nd car recommendation!
#46
We currently have a Fiat 500 as our second car and it is fantastic for city driving. They are cheap to buy and economical to run. If you need more room, the Mercedes ML Bluetecs or the older CDI SUV diesels look very interesting as they claim to get incredible gas mileage. They look like a good second car option as well.
#47
Rennlist Member
Jeep is going another direction... I'm craving a 4x4 lately in my garage!
But regarding the Mini vs GTI/Golf: You need to drive them both and decide. My wife will claim the mini wins cute-ness in spades. But I've driven both and they are both nice cars. I personally felt the Mini was more of a drivers car, the GTI felt "heavy" where the mini is like a slot car in the corners. That said, only you can decide which is best.
I've had similar reliability with my Mini as I had with previous Audi & VW cars I've owned (5 total). Meaning, a little worse than my BMWs (on my 4th) and worse than Porsche (on my 1st). Neither was horrible, but neither are honda-reliable (had 4 of those). R56 mini had its quirks: carbon buildup on DFI engine, timing chain tensioner issue, oil consumption, HPFP, sway bar bushing wear... . Most of these have been worked out by MY13. My last VW / Audi car was a 2004 so I don't have current info on those.
But regarding the Mini vs GTI/Golf: You need to drive them both and decide. My wife will claim the mini wins cute-ness in spades. But I've driven both and they are both nice cars. I personally felt the Mini was more of a drivers car, the GTI felt "heavy" where the mini is like a slot car in the corners. That said, only you can decide which is best.
I've had similar reliability with my Mini as I had with previous Audi & VW cars I've owned (5 total). Meaning, a little worse than my BMWs (on my 4th) and worse than Porsche (on my 1st). Neither was horrible, but neither are honda-reliable (had 4 of those). R56 mini had its quirks: carbon buildup on DFI engine, timing chain tensioner issue, oil consumption, HPFP, sway bar bushing wear... . Most of these have been worked out by MY13. My last VW / Audi car was a 2004 so I don't have current info on those.
Does anyone have any experience with the Mini John Cooper Works? It seems we're now at a race between 3; GTI vs mini JCW vs Wrangler
With all the customizable options, the Mini can get quite "fun" and the 208HP should also make it fun. There's the issue of space, but it seems we're headed for a less reasoned decision which is just as well and therefore maybe back to 3 vehicles which would work better for me/us I think.
I've had some experience with VW GTI way back (rabbit!) and its reliability. None with MINI. Are these little go-karts fairly reliable?
Thanks!
With all the customizable options, the Mini can get quite "fun" and the 208HP should also make it fun. There's the issue of space, but it seems we're headed for a less reasoned decision which is just as well and therefore maybe back to 3 vehicles which would work better for me/us I think.
I've had some experience with VW GTI way back (rabbit!) and its reliability. None with MINI. Are these little go-karts fairly reliable?
Thanks!
#48
Happy wife plus 10 and 8 yr. old girls in my household. DD an F-150 and a 328i.
No Mini experience.
Had two GTI's. I LOVED um both, wife could never accept the styling. TDI Golf is also nice. Golf/GTI still made in Germany I believe, big plus in my book!
Owned one Wrangler (Unlimited). Absolutely would not recommend as DD. Otherwise it's all upside. For mods, it doesn't get any better! Super cheep, especially compared to PCAR mods. You can go as crazy, but a great look and function are easy to achieve. Fantastic cult following, you will master the "Jeep Wave" and get just as many compliments as you do on your 911. ROCK solid re-sale, bought mine new, modded, drove just short of 2 yrs. and almost made money. In my opinion every car nut has to do a Wrangler at least once. I will definitely do it again.
No Mini experience.
Had two GTI's. I LOVED um both, wife could never accept the styling. TDI Golf is also nice. Golf/GTI still made in Germany I believe, big plus in my book!
Owned one Wrangler (Unlimited). Absolutely would not recommend as DD. Otherwise it's all upside. For mods, it doesn't get any better! Super cheep, especially compared to PCAR mods. You can go as crazy, but a great look and function are easy to achieve. Fantastic cult following, you will master the "Jeep Wave" and get just as many compliments as you do on your 911. ROCK solid re-sale, bought mine new, modded, drove just short of 2 yrs. and almost made money. In my opinion every car nut has to do a Wrangler at least once. I will definitely do it again.
#49
Does anyone have any experience with the Mini John Cooper Works? It seems we're now at a race between 3; GTI vs mini JCW vs Wrangler
With all the customizable options, the Mini can get quite "fun" and the 208HP should also make it fun. There's the issue of space, but it seems we're headed for a less reasoned decision which is just as well and therefore maybe back to 3 vehicles which would work better for me/us I think.
I've had some experience with VW GTI way back (rabbit!) and its reliability. None with MINI. Are these little go-karts fairly reliable?
Thanks!
With all the customizable options, the Mini can get quite "fun" and the 208HP should also make it fun. There's the issue of space, but it seems we're headed for a less reasoned decision which is just as well and therefore maybe back to 3 vehicles which would work better for me/us I think.
I've had some experience with VW GTI way back (rabbit!) and its reliability. None with MINI. Are these little go-karts fairly reliable?
Thanks!
#52
Instructor
Thread Starter
A friend of mine had a JCW. It rode noticeably smoother than my wife's cooper s (lighter wheels?). It was also a fair bit quicker. The interior was dressed up a little better, the black headliner is standard and makes a big difference to the look. If you have a choice, the "lounge" leather option gives you much more comfortable seats. My wife's car had the "punch" leather, which was ok. The standard pleather is a bit uncomfortable in the back, not much padding in the seats. Basically the JCW is the one to get. I did suggest to my wife to test drive a GTi but she stated that "it looks like a shoe" and that was the end of that conversation.
#54
Instructor
Thread Starter
Sure the Vantage is nice. She just doesn't want that and doesn't to spend that much on a car for her. Same with Mercedes and doesn't want a sedan looking car.
Had a bit of fun building a Mini JCW (hope this will work)
Had a bit of fun building a Mini JCW (hope this will work)
#55
Three Wheelin'
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: North Carolina, '12 cls63 '14 S550V4, 07TT-gone, 07Targa4S-gone
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Sure the Vantage is nice. She just doesn't want that and doesn't to spend that much on a car for her. Same with Mercedes and doesn't want a sedan looking car.
Had a bit of fun building a Mini JCW (hope this will work)
Attachment 697733
Had a bit of fun building a Mini JCW (hope this will work)
Attachment 697733
your wife should try a Black Series C Class
those mini's always remind me of Charlize Theron in the newest version
of The Italian Job, (not a bad thing)
#56
Drifting
Porsche Panamera S.
I don't know if it will tow (I don't have a boat) but I love mine. It's my DD and the 997 is the toy.
I've had a Mini Cooper S. Fun little car, but people don't see you in traffic, and I got cut-off a lot. I worried about getting creamed by some idiot in an SUV, so I sold it and bought a grown-up car.
Actually, the Mini is probably taller (although shorter) than the 911, but I've only been cut-off once in a 911 by some old lady. She probably didn't even look anyway.
I don't know if it will tow (I don't have a boat) but I love mine. It's my DD and the 997 is the toy.
I've had a Mini Cooper S. Fun little car, but people don't see you in traffic, and I got cut-off a lot. I worried about getting creamed by some idiot in an SUV, so I sold it and bought a grown-up car.
Actually, the Mini is probably taller (although shorter) than the 911, but I've only been cut-off once in a 911 by some old lady. She probably didn't even look anyway.
#57
Instructor
Thread Starter
Well, we tried the Wrangler and as I suspected, it would be better as a 3rd vehicle than a DD. Just too much noise, and while it's fun and would be great off road, it's also a little antiquated and, well, more of a third car (for us).
MINI JCW and GTI This weekend. Process of elimination has started.
MINI JCW and GTI This weekend. Process of elimination has started.
#58
Instructor
Thread Starter
Well; it looks like we'll be getting a MINI JCW.
We did try a GTI and while it is roomier, it wasn't nearly as much fun. We were going to be tempted by the Golf R, but the dealership preferred no test drives, so no purchase.
We did try a GTI and while it is roomier, it wasn't nearly as much fun. We were going to be tempted by the Golf R, but the dealership preferred no test drives, so no purchase.