Justify buying a 'new' model Mini
Discussion
Dear PH's,
I'm a newcomer to this board and only stumbled across it when I was researching buying a new car.
My girlfriend (well fiancee but I hate that word) owns an old Corsa which we will need to change as I will be travelling approx. 500m a week in a new job and the Corsa is not comfortable enough.
We have looked at a wide range of cars (from VW Beetle that she liked the look of until she sat in it to that Megane with the dodgy boot) but haven't seen anything that meets our requirements better than the new mini. The only 'issue' that we have is that the Mini we are looking at is the Cooper and with the options we (well I) want it would be over £15k.
Can anyone help me with justifying to my girlfriend the cost of a new mini as opposed to a 'cheaper' alternative (e.g. Renault Clio).
I'd appreciate your comments.....
I'm a newcomer to this board and only stumbled across it when I was researching buying a new car.
My girlfriend (well fiancee but I hate that word) owns an old Corsa which we will need to change as I will be travelling approx. 500m a week in a new job and the Corsa is not comfortable enough.
We have looked at a wide range of cars (from VW Beetle that she liked the look of until she sat in it to that Megane with the dodgy boot) but haven't seen anything that meets our requirements better than the new mini. The only 'issue' that we have is that the Mini we are looking at is the Cooper and with the options we (well I) want it would be over £15k.
Can anyone help me with justifying to my girlfriend the cost of a new mini as opposed to a 'cheaper' alternative (e.g. Renault Clio).
I'd appreciate your comments.....
IMO the MINI's put together much better than the Clio and feels like a more expensive car (which it is). The MINI might not be quite as fast, but it's more than quick enough for day to day driving. Everyone and their dog, and cat have one these days, so you wouldn't be buying it to be 'different'.
Drive all the cars you're thinking of getting and decide that way.
Do a search as the merits of the MINI have been discussed here many times (like £100 for 5 years servicing).
Also have a look on www.mini2.com
Drive all the cars you're thinking of getting and decide that way.
Do a search as the merits of the MINI have been discussed here many times (like £100 for 5 years servicing).
Also have a look on www.mini2.com
Plotloss,
Thanks for the prompt response.
Main criteria are:
Comfortable for 60 mile journey for me (at 6'), which the MINI (cheers for clarification).
Fun as do not want to get 'bored' on the journey.
Fairly economical as 60 mile journey is for me to travel to the office hence I will be paying for petrol etc.
Small as have underground parking with my apartment and there are an unbelievable amount of beams and cars to negotiate.
Plan on keeping the car for at least two years, I expect to put 40k on the clock (60 mile trips will not be everyday) so want a car that will retain as much value as possible.
Hope this helps but any other questions please let me know.
Thanks again
PS Please note that I am not considering buying a MINI as it is 'cool'. Personally I'm not really bothered about the image - my last car was a Tigra 1.4 and I loved it (hairdressers/birds car comments and all).
>> Edited by Ed68 on Monday 18th October 17:49
Thanks for the prompt response.
Main criteria are:
Comfortable for 60 mile journey for me (at 6'), which the MINI (cheers for clarification).
Fun as do not want to get 'bored' on the journey.
Fairly economical as 60 mile journey is for me to travel to the office hence I will be paying for petrol etc.
Small as have underground parking with my apartment and there are an unbelievable amount of beams and cars to negotiate.
Plan on keeping the car for at least two years, I expect to put 40k on the clock (60 mile trips will not be everyday) so want a car that will retain as much value as possible.
Hope this helps but any other questions please let me know.
Thanks again
PS Please note that I am not considering buying a MINI as it is 'cool'. Personally I'm not really bothered about the image - my last car was a Tigra 1.4 and I loved it (hairdressers/birds car comments and all).
>> Edited by Ed68 on Monday 18th October 17:49
I have a Clio DCi 80, i looked at both the clio and the mini and decided on the clio. I am a mini fan and have had several classic mini's.
But here are my reasons why?
1. Fuel economy, I regulary see over 60mpg (i also do large mileage).
2. Build quality, I have a few friends who have owned or used new mini's and had quite a few problems. I have had one problem with the clio, crackling cd player, which they fixed and were helpful and courteous. (I've heard mixed reports about bmw dealers)
3. Power steering, the mini uses an ephs system (Electrically powered hydraulic steering) and it sounds like a drill motor at full load.
4. space, although the clio is smaller on the outside, there is actually more room inside, the boot is bigger and there's more rear space.
5. Queing, you will more than likely be on a waiting list for the mini.
The only things that let it down currently are, image obviously the mini has a higher standing with the jones' and because of that depreciation. The clio will lose more money over the 1st 3years. But I think this will change soon as there are more becoming available.
So its really down to personal taste do you want the fashion icon or something more practical.
But here are my reasons why?
1. Fuel economy, I regulary see over 60mpg (i also do large mileage).
2. Build quality, I have a few friends who have owned or used new mini's and had quite a few problems. I have had one problem with the clio, crackling cd player, which they fixed and were helpful and courteous. (I've heard mixed reports about bmw dealers)
3. Power steering, the mini uses an ephs system (Electrically powered hydraulic steering) and it sounds like a drill motor at full load.
4. space, although the clio is smaller on the outside, there is actually more room inside, the boot is bigger and there's more rear space.
5. Queing, you will more than likely be on a waiting list for the mini.
The only things that let it down currently are, image obviously the mini has a higher standing with the jones' and because of that depreciation. The clio will lose more money over the 1st 3years. But I think this will change soon as there are more becoming available.
So its really down to personal taste do you want the fashion icon or something more practical.
[quote=Ed68]
Comfortable for 60 mile journey for me (at 6'), which the MINI (cheers for clarification).
[/quote=Ed68]
No problems there, the driving position is very good, lots of headroom
[quote=Ed68]
Fun as do not want to get 'bored' on the journey.
[/quote=Ed68]
No problems there either, even the standard MINI one is a hoot to drive
aaagh, did all those quotes and it didn't work! can't be bothered to try adn fix it!
[quote=Ed68]
Fairly economical as 60 mile journey is for me to travel to the office hence I will be paying for petrol etc.
[/quote=Ed68]
Problem. The MINI engine is it's achilles heel. Mine (o.k. it's the Works Cooper S) rarely gets more than 24mpg. I don't think the standard ones are much better.
[quote=Ed68]
Small as have underground parking with my apartment and there are an unbelievable amount of beams and cars to negotiate.
[/quote=Ed68]
Good visibilty and turning circle, should be fine. Also short overhangs.
[quote=Ed68]
Plan on keeping the car for at least two years, I expect to put 40k on the clock (60 mile trips will not be everyday) so want a car that will retain as much value as possible.
[/quote=Ed68]
This is where the MINI will beat the renaults etc hands down, great residuals
As for other suggestions...
I would have suggested the Clio too, great value in the first place, proper sized boot 172 / 182 is great fun.
Can't think of anything else, sorry!
>> Edited by Raify on Monday 18th October 19:20
Comfortable for 60 mile journey for me (at 6'), which the MINI (cheers for clarification).
[/quote=Ed68]
No problems there, the driving position is very good, lots of headroom
[quote=Ed68]
Fun as do not want to get 'bored' on the journey.
[/quote=Ed68]
No problems there either, even the standard MINI one is a hoot to drive
aaagh, did all those quotes and it didn't work! can't be bothered to try adn fix it!
[quote=Ed68]
Fairly economical as 60 mile journey is for me to travel to the office hence I will be paying for petrol etc.
[/quote=Ed68]
Problem. The MINI engine is it's achilles heel. Mine (o.k. it's the Works Cooper S) rarely gets more than 24mpg. I don't think the standard ones are much better.
[quote=Ed68]
Small as have underground parking with my apartment and there are an unbelievable amount of beams and cars to negotiate.
[/quote=Ed68]
Good visibilty and turning circle, should be fine. Also short overhangs.
[quote=Ed68]
Plan on keeping the car for at least two years, I expect to put 40k on the clock (60 mile trips will not be everyday) so want a car that will retain as much value as possible.
[/quote=Ed68]
This is where the MINI will beat the renaults etc hands down, great residuals
As for other suggestions...
I would have suggested the Clio too, great value in the first place, proper sized boot 172 / 182 is great fun.
Can't think of anything else, sorry!
>> Edited by Raify on Monday 18th October 19:20
Raify said:
Fairly economical as 60 mile journey is for me to travel to the office hence I will be paying for petrol etc.
Problem. The MINI engine is it's achilles heel. Mine (o.k. it's the Works Cooper S) rarely gets more than 24mpg. I don't think the standard ones are much better.
My MCS has done an average 32-34mpg for the whole 1.5 years I've owned it. Obviously if I take the back way home it goes down a bit to about 24mpg and if I go a long way on the motorway I can get 45mpg.
Rich,
Cheers. I agree with you but still got some convincing to do.
An additional point someone may be able to help me on is re the extras. I'm leaning towards the chili pack but not sure whether the Sports Suspension Plus is a good idea for someone doing a fair number of miles a day....isn't it just for people who prefer the sporty drive?
Cheers. I agree with you but still got some convincing to do.
An additional point someone may be able to help me on is re the extras. I'm leaning towards the chili pack but not sure whether the Sports Suspension Plus is a good idea for someone doing a fair number of miles a day....isn't it just for people who prefer the sporty drive?
Ed68 said:
Rich,
Cheers. I agree with you but still got some convincing to do.
An additional point someone may be able to help me on is re the extras. I'm leaning towards the chili pack but not sure whether the Sports Suspension Plus is a good idea for someone doing a fair number of miles a day....isn't it just for people who prefer the sporty drive?
If you can, try 2 models out to compare (i haven't tried the standard suspension) I would suggest that the run flat tyres are going to affect the ride more than the suspension. If you can find one on normal tyres, or change them to normal tyres, the ride should be fine.
The Chili pack will also help maintain value at resale.
annodomini2 said:
2. Build quality, I have a few friends who have owned or used new mini's and had quite a few problems. I have had one problem with the clio, crackling cd player, which they fixed and were helpful and courteous. (I've heard mixed reports about bmw dealers)
I've never heard 'Clio' and 'build quality' in one and the same sentence before, at least not without 'lack of'. Early MINI's had their share of problems, but my 2004 example (6 months and 14K miles so far) has been so nigh on perfect so far it's almost scary. That is NO niggles at all, and as for the interior build - the only one who could honestly put the Clio and the MINI on one plane would be Stevie Wonder, and only if he didn't touch anything!
OH, another thing: please go light on the options. A non-S Cooper for 15K+ is IMO missing the point. You want to avoid making it look like a tart's handbag and the car's tactile dynamics are the most resolved on the bum-basic 15" wheel and tyre package (h*ll, I even overtook a One with the 17" wheel package the other day! What were they thinking - with 90 hp and so much extra drag/rotating weight it will be about as slow as the CVT version...). The more basic, the better.
Raify,
Cheers for that - I'll ensure I test drive both with different tyre configs.
900T-R
I must admit I was suprised by the comment on Clio and build quality but it's all about experience I guess so the poster earlier was right in his own way.
Re 15k+ for a Cooper: Appreciate that you don't want it to look tooo much like a 'birds' car although my girlfriend will also be driving it.....but the 'chili' pack includes a number of things I'm interested in (mainly interior and exterior trim) and I need metallic paint, aircon & sunroof (prefer both) and the radio boost with CD player (although after reading this site will prob get CD player fitted after delivery). These items (mostly essential for comfort) put the price at over £14k.
Cheers for that - I'll ensure I test drive both with different tyre configs.
900T-R
I must admit I was suprised by the comment on Clio and build quality but it's all about experience I guess so the poster earlier was right in his own way.
Re 15k+ for a Cooper: Appreciate that you don't want it to look tooo much like a 'birds' car although my girlfriend will also be driving it.....but the 'chili' pack includes a number of things I'm interested in (mainly interior and exterior trim) and I need metallic paint, aircon & sunroof (prefer both) and the radio boost with CD player (although after reading this site will prob get CD player fitted after delivery). These items (mostly essential for comfort) put the price at over £14k.
love machine said:
Don't bother, life is too short for boring cars.
Spend the money on something lairy like a V8 westfield. You're not dead yet.
S (own a very lairy 1966 mini, with a BMW supercharger)
So you bought that MINI blower then? Was it much hassle to fit? mI'd love to see some pics if you have any? (I can host them for you if you want)
Gassing Station | Classic Minis | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff