I wouldn't listen to Hora, he knows 4/10 of fk all
I've driven one
So your more qualified an opinion on the car than me?
If thats your criteria, I've also drive the Cooper S and a Cooper S convertible.
Shot you down in flames there haven't I?
On the parts. BMW Mini wanted £1,400 for my boss's electric motor ECU on her retractable roof.
I investigated this and the price was dropped to £300 labour alone.
The VW Polo is available with the lovely 7 speed DSG racing car style semi-automatic.
rkk01 - Member
Wife fancied one a few years ago - so we trundled down the garage for a try, and found out two things:a) they are stupid money,
I agree they are silly money but they're still silly money when you come to sell them so your actual loss is minimal when compared to other cars.
My wife's on her second, first was a 2003 Cooper, handled well, not quick though, and the boot could just about fit the weekly shop in.
No she's got a Clubman Cooper S, goes really well, averages 38mpg, looks different (good in my eyes), and has the TLC pack (free labout on services). Personally i think they're great cars to own.
If you need more space buy a bigger car.
We have a 2003 Cooper as our second car, Was going to get a New shape Cooper S but didn't want to spend the extra money to find that it didn't suit us, so we bought a cheaper/older Cooper but we are now going to upgrade to a Cooper S.
It fits me fine (6ft), there is enough room for the wife and Kids (4 and 6), gets about 30 - 35MPG, boot is big enough for some shopping, with the seats folded flat and the wheels removed I can fit my road bike in.
Handling is good and they are loads of fun to drive.
Just been reading a book on the MINI and sales are split 50:50 Male:Female.
Worth getting a Chilli Pack, as you don't get much as standard, although the Chilli pack on a car costing £5500 was about £1000 more expensive than a standard Cooper.
I agree they are silly money but they're still silly money when you come to sell them so your actual loss is minimal when compared to other cars.
At that time (4 years ago) 3 yr old Coopers and Mazda Sports were advertised for around the same money on Auto Trader.
Automatics are for people who don't enjoy driving.
My wife has an automatic Cooper. When we bought it we specced the stiffer suspension (some have referred to above, it was an option in '04) and I specced flip change 
Best of both worlds 
It's not the most economical 'small' car and RFL is high but it does drive very nicely. I fit in OK (when I'm allowed to drive!) and I'm a portly 6ft.
I've even been known to wear a pink shirt whilst driving it ... 
Actually, having read up on Polos I think I am quite attracted to the GTi... Oh dear...
Puts on flame proof jacket...
Got one of these arriving in November for our daughter!
bugger all room in the back of a mini
this was my old hearse version, replaced it with a new diesel cooper hearse. its great! 53mpg and most of my trips are a commute across town or blasting down m/ways with bikes on the roof, and i'm not renowned for a feathery right foot.
[img]May 08 001 by rlh_harrison, on Flickr[/img]
i probably look like a cock driving it, but thats not really the cars fault.
nothing girlie about this..
You think?
I sometimes have to drive my wife's Yaris. And I'm not 74.
I remember using my Cooper for 6months then selling it for the same price to a BMW Mini dealership in Birmingham. The deal was done on the phone and a mechanic came up on the train to collect it. Gone are those days when people would do anything to buy one 
for god sake be interesting, alfa mito multiair 135
people will chat to you at dinner parties then :p
Mazda MX5. People won't be interested until they actually drive one themselves. 
aaarrrrghhhhh! in the preview it worked. why not now?
alfa mito multiair 135
Although if budget / taste stretches to it, the Mito Cloverleaf has the more powerful multiair engine as well as re-tuned suspension.
All the folk saying plenty of room must be very small or have no need of the rear seats.
rkk I wish my budget had stretched !
oh and btw you can get a bike in the back of a mito much more easily than a mini
bugger all room in the back of a mini
It's not exactly spacious but I've been in the back of one with a mate..ooooerr....both of us are over 6' and with a combined weight well in excess of 30 stones and I don't remember it being too cosy. We only grounded once on a speed bump (mind you the two girlies in the front were quite petite
Was there anyone in the front?? Midget driving?
I'm 6'3" and physically could not get in the driver's seat - which was hard back against the front of the rear seat... You might have got a greased gnat's nadger between the front seat back and the rear seat, but nothing more.
Similar story on the passenger side - although I could get in the car, the front seat was hard back against the rear. Rendered the car unusable for us.
Girls car.
Get a real one.
Old minis. Great for driving with your knees around your ears, and also being killed in car accidents.
PJ266 - MemberGirls car.
Get a real one.
PJ have you owned both?
No Hora, what you've just admitted to there is driving a soft top Mini. Did you try one of those Micra CC's too? And you give a list of repairs needed to your car, then highlight the fact that its been a learner car prior to your ownership.
How long have you been driving Hora? And whats the list of cars you've driven to compare it to? And keeping in mind what a load of b0ll0cks you spout when talking about bikes, I'm assuming this is also the same b0ll0cks you spout when talking about cars
Own an old one 
and driven a friends new cooper, theyre nice cars for sure (I was just trying to get a rise ) but personally Id rather one of the new Fiat 500s.
Oh, and molgrips, just move the seat back and dont crash?? 
No knees around your ears in this one:
Went with my missus to look at Mini's recently as she fancied one.
Expensive for what you get and very small inside.
In the end we decided they were not for us as we still carry around aged parents etc and really do need four doors.
there is no hope for you.
might as well get a prius, at least you can pretend you care about the environment.
flange
The only thing that would put me off a Mini is the run-flats. I've driven one and also owned a 3-series with run flats and both were crashy and handled badly as a result
I said I've learnt to drive, passed and owned a Mini Cooper. Driven a Cooper S AND driven a Cooper S CONVERTIBLE. Can you read?
No Hora, what you've just admitted to there is driving a soft top Mini. Did you try one of those Micra CC's too? And you give a list of repairs needed to your car, then highlight the fact that its been a learner car prior to your ownershipThat wasn't my car - the convertible was my bosses car.
You merely stated that you've only 'driven' a mini. Do you feel owning a 3 series makes you superior? So what? I've driven a 1 (gawd-awful plastics), 3 series compact (ok), 3 series saloon, 5 series saloon (terrible) and a 7 series (nice). If I was posting on a 3 series thread my thoughts wouldnt really qualify me for anything compared to someone who has actually lived with said-car.
PJ I am a big fan of the original Mini, love the way you can have so much fun at below the speed limit speeds in them without getting into trouble, was not so keen on the rust though
Do (BMC) Mini owners still wave at exch other?
At that time (4 years ago) 3 yr old Coopers and Mazda Sports were advertised for around the same money on Auto Trader.
but it's my guess the Mini's sold for the money they were advertised for and the Mazda's did not.
There's not too many threads on the internet about Mazda 3's.
Indeed they do, had to physically stop myself from waving at other minis when I got another car. Rust is a bitch.
The new minis are actually really quite good cars. I dont think many new mini owners regret their purchase.
+1 for the Mito 135. Just ordered ours after having a look at the Cooper S. Lack of room in the Mini was the killer. Having test drove the 135bhp I don't think I'd be brave enough to drive the Cloverleaf model, the 135 is plenty quick.
Now we only have to wait at least 14 weeks for it to be delivered 
On the Mito - The Grande Punto actually feels/looks a better finished product now. I've only sat in one but I was very impressed.
Responses from stubbly lads or ladies that like same much appreciated!
Hence my attempt to sneak some performance via the back door!
Tsk, tsk! I think you may all have missed the original point of the post!
Convert, you don't mention whether you have a GSOH?
I ride a girl's bike without shame :o)
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