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Anyone drive a Mini-Cooper?

meggy

meggy

AK Subscriber
Subscriber
Anyone own one of these things? My wife is head over heels ga-ga about getting one. We test drove a 2007 S last night. It's definetly fun, but my main concern is saftey. I see:

" (NHTSA) gave the 2006 pre-redesign Cooper hatchback four stars out of five for frontal impacts and four stars for side impacts involving front occupants. In Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) tests, the 2006 Cooper received a rating of "good" (the best possible) in frontal-impact crashes, and a rating of "average" in side-impact crashes."


That's an '06 and were talking about an '07 or '08. But man oh man, I wouldn't want to be driving one in a fight with a SUV. Loaded up, they ain't cheap either...
 
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I used to drive my gf's Miata, and I didnt enjoy the sense of impending doom and peril...long trips were like the Gorge of Eternal Peril...
 
:lmao: Yeah, and I forgot to mention my wife thinks she's Batwoman behind the Batmobile.
 
Beep Beep!

Ayup, I drive a 2004 standard-issue (not a super-charged S). I chose the plain model as it was cheaper, better for winter driving, uses a standard somewhat low profile tire (versus a very expensive run-flat tire/spare). I purchased only two options with mine: 1) for New England, the cold weather package (heated seats, mirror and fluids), and 2) Crusie control with on steering wheel radio controls. Other than that plain Jane center console speedo, steering column mounted tach. It comes with A/C and has PLENTY of pep. My average mileage is 36 MPG (almost always), but straight highway mileage runs 42 MPG.

I had some electrical issues when under warranty (hey, it's a British car!), but they were covered and fixed. It has been a great ride, so far. It's very roomy inside and quite a solid vehicle. The company that makes the MINI is owned by BMW, so the servicing network is BMW, and once you go off warranty it can be a bit pricey to service, but the service interval is about 15,000 miles versus 3,500 to 5,000 for a standard car.

The new version has a slightly different body shape and they changed the suspension a bit. I think that the new S also has a Turbocharger versus a "supercharger".

This is my ride (though I have silver spoked wheels and no chrome on the bumpers):
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Now then, if I had the scratch, I'd definitely buy a John Cooper Works S. I have driven one, but if I had that kind of power, I'd use it...it's LETHAL. :banana:

EDIT: One of the problems on price these days is the weak US dollar compared to the Euro. When I purchased mine the dollar and Euro were comparable, but I think that MINI has had "reasonable" price increases and has really tried to hold the line on costs despite the exchange rates.
 
wajobu said:
Now then, if I had the scratch, I'd definitely buy a John Cooper Works S. I have driven one, but if I had that kind of power, I'd use it...it's LETHAL. :banana:
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Aw jeez, don't say THAT! Just what she needs - a 189HP turbocharged go cart. She'll be sitckin' the damned doberman in the passenger seat. They told us not to worry though, it has some sort of limiter on it so you can only top out at 130. Now there's a weird visual.
 
Actually, there's a limiter on my car at 135 MPH. When it gets above 90 MPH the engine just roars--it really opens-up. It purrs happily at 65 to 70.

The faster one goes, the better the acceleration. It has quite a gear-box. And yes, it does handle like a go-cart...it's that "bull-dog" stance. WOOF, WOOF! :D
 
meggy said:
Anyone own one of these things? My wife is head over heels ga-ga about getting one. We test drove a 2007 S last night. It's definetly fun, but my main concern is saftey. I see:

" (NHTSA) gave the 2006 pre-redesign Cooper hatchback four stars out of five for frontal impacts and four stars for side impacts involving front occupants. In Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) tests, the 2006 Cooper received a rating of "good" (the best possible) in frontal-impact crashes, and a rating of "average" in side-impact crashes."


That's an '06 and were talking about an '07 or '08. But man oh man, I wouldn't want to be driving one in a fight with a SUV. Loaded up, they ain't cheap either...
Click to expand...

I WANT ONE !!! ....... :banana::banana::banana:
 
I would love to have one, but then again I love to drive anything that's small, light, and nimble. I dislike driving SUVs, I feel like I'm floating down the road.

The Coopers aren't cheap, though.
 
JesusChrysler said:
Somehow.....

I do not think my 6-foot 9 frame would fit behind the steering wheel. Just a guess.

;)

Matt
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My brother in law had an original mini-MINI and has a 2005 (though his wife drives it most often!). He's 6'-6" and fits quite comfortably. I think that the interior is designed for for someone up to 6'-6" or 6'-8" tall. Sorry JC.
 
Pussies drive a 48 Willys Jeep and grow some balls! No doors no crumple zones an solid straight through your chest steering column No defroster no heater no 5mph bumpers and not enough power with the 134cuin flat head (60Bhp) to get out of anyone way.

The rig I learned to drive on. Can't wait until CHUG A LUG is finished I'm going to start driving it to work a day or two a week even at 13-15mpg.
 
The Cooper is a thrill to drive, and drive in, but flashbacks of MGs and VW Bugs, regarding size, will flood your head.

I think they're a safe car, even when tangling with an SUV, but let's face it, unless you've got a big land barge of a New Yorker or Town Car, or an Escalade, Suburban, or Ram 1500, you 'ain't gonna fare as well with a crash in an SUV, no matter what you drive.

The Cooper will easily outhandle, stop, go and generally perform better than an SUV, and chance of rollover is not even in the same league if she was driving an SUV.
 
I wanted a Cooper S, but decided to go with a GTI instead...mostly due to the interior size and the fact I've owned 5 previous VWs and Audis. I try to stay loyal to who treats me right. The Minis are BAD ASS though...talk about a car that feels like it's riding on rails! Damn thing turns and stops on the same dime! Having BMW backing has turned it's British pedigree into something a bit better too!
 
Bought it!

Went to the Mini-Cooper store Sat and bought one. Pretty fully loaded, Harmon-Kardon stereo system, seperate tweeters, I-pod hookup in the glove, air conditioned glove box, automatic, power just about everything, six or eight air bags, roll bar, run flats, tire damage warranty, lo-jack, roadside, on & on. Loaded up for the sweetie-pie. It is a GAS to drive! Does remind me of MG's & MGB's but with a nuclear accellerator in it. Makes you laugh everytime you drive it. Kind of just an expensive toy really, but it's great for the wife's car. Been running around the neighborhood mountain roads all week end. We'll probably drive it to Vegas in a week or two and see what it does on the hiway. Scary.

cooper2.jpg
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