[Trsamc]

Hey all..
Sorry if this isnt the right place.. but just thought as it would be the new r56 one i'd be lookin at, this would be relevant?

Well, if you're all anything like me, you'll of looked at the thread title and thought to yourselves theirs no competition.. Mini all the way.. But theres a few factors i cant stop biggin the citroen up for, and likewise for the citroen.

The citroen im on about is the c2 sx 1.4hdi. And basically, im lucky enough to be able to get a brand new car for my first motor this year when i pass my test.. and obviously insurance is an issue, but ill try not to put that into consideration for this thread.. I just wanted some opinions on whether you think it would be better to get a mini or citroen, when you consider that with the c2 for a litle less than i would pay for the One, i could have in it, electric folding mirrors, heated leather seats, leather steering wheel, parking sensors, and then a few other general things over the One, but basically a much higher spec (not minis fault obviously, citroens for being so cheap and ****),

but then i think to myself, even though i can get all this extra stuff, would it still be worth getting a mini instead? my reasons for thinking this are that minis are much, much more reliable and better built when i compare faults reported on this forum, to faults reported about the c2 on other forums. Another thing being that their is much better customer support with owning a mini, from the dealers, and from things such as this website, cause to be quite honest, this website is amazin for the help from what i can see.. especially in comparison to the ****** service on some crappy c2 one i go on. Another thing aswell, the mini, even though their both 1.4's (true to say though that the minis petrol, the c2 wouldnt be) is a lot quicker. Theirs also more styling options available for the mini.

So, what do y'all think? try to think about this as if you were in my shoes, and not in the shoes of a current mini owner. lol, dont want that to sound like an order... Ooh and also, if its relevant, with the mini i would only have the salt pack, leather steering wheel and rain sensors as options.. and do all my other stuff after market.

Thanks to anyone who actually sits and reads all of that, its much appreciated in my time of great confusion.
-Sam.

[Scrogg]

Do you really think anyone on a MINI Forum is going to tell you to buy a Citroen?

[Trsamc]

Quote: Originally Posted by Scrogg (original)

Do you really think anyone on a MINI Forum is going to tell you to buy a Citroen?

..... Is the first reply after he complements the help on this site .. and considerin they recomended a mini on the citroen, thought it may of been that same here.. was just hoping for some honest opinions.. But saying that, i respect that you opinion there was your honest opionion.. so fair does.. lol.

-Sam

[Scrogg]

Not my opinion, just asking a question based on experience of reading the replies that usually come on similar threads.

Personally, I'm not a huge fan of Citroen, but from a purely objective viewpoint I can see merit on both sides of the equation. From reading your post you have pretty much answered your own question anyway, as the main (or possibly only?) reason for choosing a C2 over a MINI One is that, pound for pound, you will get more spec for your money.

You have already said that the MINI is better built and more reliable, but have not touched on the residual value. The MINI may be more expensive to buy in the first place, but will retain considerably more of it's value over time, meaning what you actually pay (purchase price less future selling price) may be less!

The MINI will be more to insure and less economical, but the servicing costs (courtesy of TLC) will be lower than the Citroen, so the whole-of-life running costs should be comparable.

Is that more like what you were after?

[Paul]

Two very different cars really. The MINI is genuinely a "premium brand", which means that a) It tends to cost more, but also b) It holds it value well. If you really want a MINI, then the happy motoring and community spirit is probably worth the extra, if not, maybe get a "nearly new" Citroen with the initiial depreciation hit already taken, and keep the rest of the money for holidays or something. Personally, I just really like the MINI interior and "feel" compared to any other car. I'm currently driving around in a £25k BMW, now I can honestly say I'd rather spec up a £25k MINI than drive a £25 BMW, It's just another car, the MINI is really unique.

[Trsamc]

Quote: Originally Posted by Scrogg (original)

Not my opinion, just asking a question based on experience of reading the replies that usually come on similar threads.

Personally, I'm not a huge fan of Citroen, but from a purely objective viewpoint I can see merit on both sides of the equation. From reading your post you have pretty much answered your own question anyway, as the main (or possibly only?) reason for choosing a C2 over a MINI One is that, pound for pound, you will get more spec for your money.

You have already said that the MINI is better built and more reliable, but have not touched on the residual value. The MINI may be more expensive to buy in the first place, but will retain considerably more of it's value over time, meaning what you actually pay (purchase price less future selling price) may be less!

The MINI will be more to insure and less economical, but the servicing costs (courtesy of TLC) will be lower than the Citroen, so the whole-of-life running costs should be comparable.

Is that more like what you were after?

Lol, Yeh thats more what i was looking for.. and pretty much the consensus with what you said. And you're right i hadn't thought of the future value, which will really be quite important to me in the future when i'm planning on selling it (just after leaving uni) so i'll need all the cash i can get.. Just out of interest, how much do you actually pay for the TLC pack? or do dealers usually chuck that in if you ask nicely?

- And to Paul, sorry i dont understand how to do the multi quote and didnt want to make two posts.. Yeh i agree agen with the point that the mini will be of a much higher quality.. And although yeh the insurance will be a bit more, i think after a years no claims it would probably even out, or be less than the citroen, cause of it being a generally safer car etc..

-Brings me on to my next question, does anybody here have any idea if its possible to get insurance quotes on the R56 One yet? or will they not be doing it until they actually hit the market?

[Paul]

I think you'll be hard pushed to quotes in the 1.4 One just yet, as it's not officially on sale until April 14th.

[mister.t]

I do like Citroens, (C4 Coupe was on our short-list), but I LOVE Minis Im 16, 17 in December, and I would love a Mini as a first car!!!! But, a bit too steep insurance, which is why Im plumping for a 1990 H Landie 90 200tdi. Go for the Mini!! You'll not regret a second of it

[Widgey]

Have you considered a pre-owned MINI One?
You might find what you're looking for with decent spec.
So the C2 has parking sensors and folding mirrors
Are they a must-have option?
Look at a ONE with A/C, decent alloys, CD and a FSH at the very least.
If there's some TLC left...bonus.
The difference between a new MINI v. pre-owned MINI could be put towards your insurance.
Just a thought

[Chris.F]

Not being anti Citroen but aren't they worth about £5.20 after 3 years. Like Alfas buy one and get stuck with false trade ins. Massive differentials to change to another make. Mini will always be strong because someone wants them at any age.

Good luck however with your choice.

[Matanga]

I personally believe that if you are really considering the C2 for any other reason besides the price difference, you should go for it.

A Mini is not like any other regular car, when you decide for one first you feel it, then you see the specs.
When I decided for mine (my first car too...only difference is that I'm 28 ) I first wanted the Mini..then I realized it has great specs.
And one last warning...Once you go Mini...is no way back

[Griffer]

Quote: Originally Posted by Scrogg (original)

Do you really think anyone on a MINI Forum is going to tell you to buy a Citroen?

Buy the Citroen!!!







NOT!!!

[louisthethird]

Sam.....I bought a Mini One last year from a dealer. It is a 2001, all the kit (A/C is a must for that age unless you want it for the rest of your life) and it cost me £8K. 1 yr warranty - the 'buying a new car experience' - It was and is a joy - faultless. With the 16" wheels it looks the business and you could do no better - you could do a great deal worse - I'd get down to the local Citroen dealer just to see how much worse you could do!

[ScottyBoy]

you answered all the questions your self by saying that the C2 is built poor and this forum is better and the C2 has far more problems etc etc! i think you've made your mind up your self but as Scrogg answered! every single person on this site will say a MINI otherwise they probably dont own 1 yet!

MINI MINI MINI all the way.....

[ScottyBoy]

Quote: Originally Posted by Matanga (original)

And one last warning...Once you go Mini...is no way back

Spot on the mark there! You'l never go back!

[Wooly]

Go on the citroen site also and ask for their opinions....i still think they would say go for the mini

Mini is completely different quality to citroen/renault and when you sell it the value of the citroen would probably give you a heart attack.

i do like the citroen with the squarish back end though, looks really cool. to be honest the french are coming out with some cracking designs recently but it is still not in minis league.

[ScottyBoy]

Quote: Originally Posted by Wooly (original)

Go on the citroen site also and ask for their opinions....i still think they would say go for the mini

How funny would that be if he actually got that response! Unlickely but still would be good if it did happen!

[veg24]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett (original)

Two very different cars really. The MINI is genuinely a "premium brand", which means that a) It tends to cost more, but also b) It holds it value well. If you really want a MINI, then the happy motoring and community spirit is probably worth the extra, if not, maybe get a "nearly new" Citroen with the initiial depreciation hit already taken, and keep the rest of the money for holidays or something. Personally, I just really like the MINI interior and "feel" compared to any other car. I'm currently driving around in a £25k BMW, now I can honestly say I'd rather spec up a £25k MINI than drive a £25 BMW, It's just another car, the MINI is really unique.

Spec'in up a £25k mini over a £25k BMW is maybe taking it a little far.... You can get some seriously nice cars from BMW for £25k....

I've never understood why people buy a lower models then add loads of extras when they could have a better model (better car) for the same money... Mercedes owners do it all the time and then leave the badges off hoping people won't notice...

[Paul]

Quote: Originally Posted by veg24 (original)

Spec'in up a £25k mini over a £25k BMW is maybe taking it a little far.... You can get some seriously nice cars from BMW for £25k....

I've never understood why people buy a lower models then add loads of extras when they could have a better model (better car) for the same money... Mercedes owners do it all the time and then leave the badges off hoping people won't notice...

I dont agree on that, after spending a couple of weeks (nearly) in a £25k 3 series, I suddenly COULD understand why people spend £25k on a MINI. The BMW did not feel in any way special or worth £25k of anyone's money, in my opinion. Spec a £25k MINI and you've got a seriously fun car, with loads of nice gadgets!

[Scrogg]

I'm with Paul on this one. £25,000 will get you, at best, a 'standard' 325i SE or 320i M Sport Saloon which, although nice cars with great engines, lack something that the MINI would offer for the same money.

Even with the lack of JCW in the R56 range, a fully loaded Cooper S with a maximum budget of £25k can be so much more of a car than either of these.