[ABSOLUTnie]

Mini Cooper S?

I had the opportunity to test drive a 2011 Mini Cooper S (turbo) the other day and I pretty much fell in love with it. Obviously, it handles great and the acceleration is pretty impressive. I was also impressed by the quality of the interior as well as the space for the driver and passenger. This would be my daily driver but I would have access to a Rav4 should I need extra room.

I have a kayak which I use for fishing in the summer but a roof rack solves this issue. I also have a black lab that I need to transport once a month to the groomer but with the seats down, there is no issue. For the most part, I don't need too much room.

My past vehicles: Talon TSi, Honda F4i, S2000, GTO and Wrangler (current ride). The Mini is not the manliest car in the world but I enjoy driving aggressively at times and this thing put a big smile on my face.

I'd be looking at a used Mini for about 17k. The MPG on my Jeep is killing me and it being lifted and 12 years old, there are constant issues that need to be addressed.

Just wondering if anyone else on here has one and what the CLSB community has to say about it.

 

[Pilotx1]

will you be upgrading the suspension to increase your gold hauling capability?

 

[CHeYeNNe]

Ernie has/had one so maybe he will chime in.

I've drove one before and fun little car. Handles like a charm on back roads.

 

[ABSOLUTnie]

will you be upgrading the suspension to increase your gold hauling capability?

Way ahead of you.
:laughing:

 

[SmartDrug]

Paladin has one too, I've driven a Supercharged version and was very impressed with it as well. I love the top down aspect of the S2k (as you know), but if I were to get a sporty coupe, it'd probably be a Cooper S.

Great MPG too.

 

[Pocket Rockets]

I've driven a supercharged one with a few hop ups, and was presently surprised. I couldn't shake the feeling of popping a salmon colored polo's collar after I got out of it though.

 

[Ohfugit]

My Girlfriend has an S model, (All Stock) It is a blast to drive.
It does a tiny bit of turbo lag on the bottom but if you drive at all aggressive its not noticeable.

 

[Deuces]

Handles like a go-cart, Disappointing in a straight line, and has the "Chick-Car" stigma.... Fun car, but the S2K and GTO in the previous line up will leave you wanting...

 

[Paladin]

I don't have the S but I had one as a loaner while mine was in for service. They are both a blast to drive and they ride like a bigger car. It does not feel small. It's quick enough.

 

[Thunderstruck]

My friend has one. He states you NEED to invest in winter tires because they come with summer tires and u can't get out of your own way come wintertime. There is also the clubman version I believe with is a 4 door now and taking things or people is defiantly worth it. Fun cars

 

[Noodles]

Ex-wife has a 2010 Mini S(had it when we were together). Great car that gets great mileage (she drives around 80 miles a day). I would love it when I would get to steal that car and drive it for a day because it honestly is a blast to drive. I wouldn't get one as a primary car (just because I'm a guy and it's a chick car) but for her, it's perfect. I guess it has been in the dealer quite a bit lately for warranty claims. I'm not sure on the details, but every month for the last 4-5 months, something has broken on it.

My friend has one. He states you NEED to invest in winter tires because they come with summer tires and u can't get out of your own way come wintertime.

I completely disagree with this statement. I would steal my wife's Cooper S (stock tires too) anytime it would snow because my truck, with rear wheel drive and summer tires, wouldn't move (she worked from home). Set the traction control and I would drive it any day at any time over the winter. I would be getting thumbs up plowing through the fast lane with 4+ inches of snow on the road keeping up with the 4X4 guys.

It's fun a fuck to spin around corners too.

 

[ramenboy...]

if you can get your hands on a john cooper works edition, that would be suweet. more power, better handling and suspsension...
but then it gets expensive.

great car, the mini.

 

[ABSOLUTnie]

I'm having a difficult time getting past the chick car/gay label the car has stuck to it but I know that I shouldn't really care. It's a phenominal little car.

I'm not completely sold on the car's reliability either, especially the turbo model.

Given the resale value on these things, even if I buy it and hate it, I can sell it in a year and not lose too much money.

 

[Noodles]

I'm not completely sold on the car's reliability either, especially the turbo model.

My ex-wifes has been really bad lately I guess. Something causes it to put itself into what she calls "limp" mode where it barely revs and doesn't go over a set MPH. It's been to the dealer so much she's trying to get them to let her out of her lease so she can get something else. Everything has been covered by warranty with loaners, but it's more of a pain in the ass.

 

[Paladin]

I run stock tires in winter they are continentals.

 

[Kruz]

Fun little car....I wouldnt mind my wife getting one so I can borrow it occassionally but would not consider it my DD ever.

 

[Superspud needs his med's]

They do look fun, maybe Missy can get one to replace the canary.

would love to borrow it but I like a sporty 4 door truck or car for my dd.

 

[Bug]

The car is all wheel base - Can you say Go-Kart? - Get that fucker and hit the ABC roads in Wisc and yee shan't be let down

 

[ABSOLUTnie]

Fun little car....I wouldnt mind my wife getting one so I can borrow it occassionally but would not consider it my DD ever.

Deep down inside, I think this is how I really feel.

 

[Noodles]

I think you could get past the whole "chick car" image, but you would have to do some modifying. Something like this is passable as a guy's car:

Or this: