Mini Cooper opinions?

SnowRidge · Apr 2, 2005

notice in the Consumer Reports link that Gerard posted they list the reliability as below average, FWIW. 

I wouldn't put too much stock in CR's reliability ratings when it comes to enthusiast vehicles. Their owners tend to be much more critical than the average person, and they aren't shy about bringing all defects to the attention of the dealer. I believe that skews the statistics against enthusiast vehicles when compared to mundane commuter cars.

A web search of car enthusiast forums will turn up much more relevant information that you will ever get from Consumer Reports. TBN, albeit tractor oriented instead of car oriented, is a perfect example of the type of place to look for solid, relevant information -- with the occasional wacked out thread thrown in for good measure. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

SnowRidge · Apr 2, 2005

120,000 miles timing belt 

Recommend timing belt replacement schedule for the Miata is 60,000 miles. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif We just had ours done and part of the variable valve timing mechanism (expensive /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif) fell apart when the mechanic removed it. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

I'm glad we didn't push it beyond 60,000.

Boondox · Apr 2, 2005

( Hmm, requires premium fuel. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

We just looked into the VW diesel bug and decided not to buy, but when doing the research, I recall coming across something about the Minis being sold with diesels in Europe. I think that article said the diesel version was going to become available in the US in the next year or two.

Food for thought, perhaps. )

Yeah, we noticed the premium fuel requirement. Premium costs an additional 10%...and the Mini gets about 35-40% better mileage than our Outback. So the math works out in our case.

My mother-in-law has a Miata. Fun car, true. But after driving both we feel the Mini has a far better road feel...plus just enough cargo space for our needs.

Pete

Jimbrown · Apr 2, 2005

I say buy it they are great fun cars. just sold my BMWZ3 because we now live at the end of 13 miles of dirt road and It did not have enough ground clearance to do the road. I made the trip to Tucson today 200 miles and wished I had it back the whole time. If I were going to buy one I would get the S model but you may not need It. Depends on how much boy racer you have in you.

RoyJackson · Apr 2, 2005

I had sports cars of one sort or another from 1972 to about 1996 or so...

That little Cooper looks pretty nice...but, if I were to buy another sports car, I'd go for a used Porsche. It would be a mid 80's through mid 90's. Probably a convertible this time (although the real sports cars have fixed roofs due to the greater stiffness of the chassis).

Of course, as others have mentioned...you go around one time...so get what you want to enjoy!

Richard · Apr 2, 2005

( I'm glad we didn't push it beyond 60,000. )

I agree with your logic. When I had it done, the guy gave me his estimate. I smiled and said it was 1/2 off. He gave me a /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif look. then I told him it was my first change.

When I finally sold it, it did need a new top and the engine had a "tick tick tick" in it so I practically gave it away. Figured I'd gotten my money out of it and the new owner was a younger guy who was going to use it for a parts car.

He flew to Knoxville from Baltimore & drove it home happy as a bug

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Egon · Apr 3, 2005

In the good old days there were several versions of the mini. One was a standard Mini and the other was the Mini Cooper version. The cooper version left a lot of confused hot rodders in it's wake.

We almost bought the standard version.

Go for it. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif You only live once! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

In my midlife crisis I got an 87 Fiero GT which I still have. It made many a ski/bicycle trip to the high country. Many a fond memory.

Egon

EddieWalker · Apr 3, 2005

I don't have an opinion on owning one, but I did enjoy watching them in the movie "The Itlalian Job."

If you haven't seen it, sit back and enjoy the ride.

Eddie

heehaw · Apr 3, 2005

gett he consumer reports vehicle issue..it covers the mini pretty well.
heehaw

Von · Apr 3, 2005

Pete,
My wife has the same idea! Right now she is too afraid to take a test drive in one! Because she says she will want to bring it home!! She does not like driving a standard, so she never takes out the Porsche 911. And I know she will not drive the Unimog when its done!! Heck I bet she'll never even take a ride in it!! but thats just her. Right now we need to replace are everyday cars. Both have over 150k miles on them. the Dodge Caravan is falling apart, its a real POS. And the Jeep GC needs some front end work. but it gets such lousy gas mileage that I think its time to get rid of it. Once I have the Unimog done I won't need those two cars, so she might get her wish! Von