First of all as a new member I'd just like to say hi guys n gals, I'm James!

Ok here's my dilemma, i'm 24 years old and due to take my driving test in a few days. Since I was young I have always loved Minis in every shape and variety even tho I constantly get bombarded with the usual "they are girls cars" etc.

I have been looking at possible cars to purchase for when I pass my test and was alarmed at the huge insurance costs for the usual Seat Ibiza, Mazda 2, VW Golf, Vauxhall Corsa etc. The cheapest quotes I was getting were around the £2,000 mark. Anyway I decided to look at Minis just out of curiosity reallty and I've come across a great Mini Cooper for around £4,800. The car is a 2003 model but has a very low mileage. I looked at insurance costs and was surprised to get similar quotes to the ones mentioned earlier even though the car is a 1.6.

Anyway my question is what would you guys recommend as Mini owners to getting a Mini Cooper as a first car? From what I can gather the cost of the car and insurance is going to be very similar to the makes and models mentioned above if not cheaper. However I have heard so many horror stories from people ranging from they are "death traps" "too powerful for a first time driver" "road tax is too expensive" "poor fuel economy" "too small" and the cliche "they are for girls!" (although I couldn't care less what people think with regard to that!)

Is there some truth to these comments or should I seriously consider going the Mini Cooper route once I pass my test?

Any advice you guys have will be greatly appreciated!! :)

James

P.S sorry for such a long post!

no it would be a great first car

I think it would be a great first car, especially an older model like that.

I don't think they're death traps, although since (statistically) you are likely to wreck your first car, it is a good idea to go for something big and safe. MINIs are safe though, so unless your parents have an objection, I don't see why you shouldn't get one.

Too powerful? The most power you can get in any MINI is around 200hp, and even with that, it's not a seriously fast car. MINIs are fun because they handle great, they're not particularly powerful or fast in a straight line compared to other cars.

In the US, the MINI gets excellent mileage, but in Europe, you can get many cars that get better mileage, so that one I can't really comment on.

My girlfriend keeps telling me my MINI is a feminine car, but what feminine car handles like a dream and growls at you? It is "cute", but it's also handsome. Tell anyone who thinks it's a feminine car to ride in one around a track or some curvy roads. That should shut them up ;-)

Hi James! I've recently (about a month ago) bought my first mini, a 2002 cooper, and this is my second car. Been driving for 7 years, but have had until now a basic 1.3 fiesta, which was great but I decided I wanted something new and a bit modern. I like you have always loved minis, so when I realised I could afford one I went for it (the other choice was a punto sporting, newer but not as fun in my opinion)

In terms of power, the cooper has 115bhp, while my fiesta probably had about 40 in the end, so yeah it was a jump but I don't think its too powerful - its nice to have the power there just in case! Fuel economy, I think, is more than acceptable - I average about 315 miles from a full tank, with a mix of roads, motorways etc, and sometimes a bit of a heavy right foot! I find the size to be fine, i did struggle the other day to fit 4 people in, but I knew this would be an issue before I bought it so no problems there. Road tax is cheaper than I expected, yeah it's not £35 a year but its not £210 either! I got ribbed by my mates for buying a 'hairdressers car' but soon change their mind after they have been out in it.

I have had quite a few problems with the car, which fingers crossed have now all been sorted, at the dealers expense. This has in no way taken the enjoyment out of it, I love it and don't regret my decision at all. Get a cooper! :biggrin:

Thanks for the replies guys :)

My parents are split on the idea with my mum fearful over the size and safety of the car and I can kinda see her point but to me a Mini is not much different to many other small hatchbacks in this area.

Interestingly I asked a similar question on my Facebook to see what my friends and family would say and every single comment so far has been negative!! Mainly along the lines of "it's a hairdresser's/girls car" or other comments with a rather homophobic retoric! My own girlfriend has even questioned why I'd want such a car! lol. It's a difficult one to explain I guess, I just don't see them as anything other than beautiful works of art!!

Thanks again though guys, I'd rather take advice off the likes of yourselves who actually own and drive Minis rather than listening to people just spouting the same old rubbish and sterotypes!

If you have any other advice or tips then I'd be grateful to hear them! :)

Thanks for the replies guys :)

My parents are split on the idea with my mum fearful over the size and safety of the car and I can kinda see her point but to me a Mini is not much different to many other small hatchbacks in this area.

Interestingly I asked a similar question on my Facebook to see what my friends and family would say and every single comment so far has been negative!! Mainly along the lines of "it's a hairdresser's/girls car" or other comments with a rather homophobic retoric! My own girlfriend has even questioned why I'd want such a car! lol. It's a difficult one to explain I guess, I just don't see them as anything other than beautiful works of art!!

Thanks again though guys, I'd rather take advice off the likes of yourselves who actually own and drive Minis rather than listening to people just spouting the same old rubbish and sterotypes!

If you have any other advice or tips then I'd be grateful to hear them! :)

Have you driven a cooper yet? The first time (and even now) I drove mine, it put a gigantic smile on my face, couldn't believe how well it handled! This will make up your mind for you, I was sold after the first round about! Your friends would soon see after being taken for a drive that they are in fact excellent drivers cars. My advice is to ignore the comments, my gf has a convertible beetle (definitely a girls car!!) and I drive that, don't care what other people think. Its you who's spending the money, and you that has to live with it - if you want a cooper, you get a cooper, end of! :biggrin:

Have you driven a cooper yet? The first time (and even now) I drove mine, it put a gigantic smile on my face, couldn't believe how well it handled! This will make up your mind for you, I was sold after the first round about! Your friends would soon see after being taken for a drive that they are in fact excellent drivers cars. My advice is to ignore the comments, my gf has a convertible beetle (definitely a girls car!!) and I drive that, don't care what other people think. Its you who's spending the money, and you that has to live with it - if you want a cooper, you get a cooper, end of! :biggrin:

I've not driven one yet mate but I have only heard good things from those that have!

I know what you mean about ignoring the comments mate and I do. The way I look at it is the Mini was good enough for Michael Caine in the Italian Job so they are good enough for me :biggrin: although I am aware that these are completely new cars now!

I just want to state where the hell did you get the idea that they are girl cars? In no way shape or form are they girlie cars. If anything many girls would not be able to handle type S's or a john cooper work one!! As far as a death trap I disagree 100% these cars are made in the best way possible and are made out of the best materials. If you have every shut a door on one of them you notice they are extremely heavy and good if you do get into an accident (not that anyone wants that). If I were you I would get it becasue it does make a great first car and they are extremely fun to drive !! YOU CAN IMPRESS GIRLS with the car lol ... cheers mate !!

What do you think we will say on a MINI forum?

I've had a good range of cars over the years, and the MINI is one of the most rewarding driver's cars around. Very planted, with little understeer when pushed hard.

My first car is a Mini but a ONE, to be honest every car is going to be a death trap if you drive it like a noob! as for the comment on it being a girls car well surly is what you do to it? there are a lot of man-ly looking minis around on forums! mine however might be an exception to this as it is black and pink! :)

Hi James I have a red cooper with chili pack and air con 2004 with 84K on. It has been owned by my partner from new and came with TLC pack. It has full service history and bodywork is unmarked. Wheels were refurbed a couple of weeks ago so they are A1 also.

We really wanted 4.5K but being realistic in this market we would let it go for 4.2K. If you are interested mail me on cooke2262@fsmail.net and I will send you some pics.

What do you think we will say on a MINI forum?

Well I had a feelng that you guys would be more positive about the idea but I just thought that I am more likely to get an informed opinion on a Mini forum rather than asking people who have never driven them.

Also it's likely some of you owned Minis as first cars so might have some advice on particular models etc

Hi James I have a red cooper with chili pack and air con 2004 with 84K on. It has been owned by my partner from new and came with TLC pack. It has full service history and bodywork is unmarked. Wheels were refurbed a couple of weeks ago so they are A1 also.

We really wanted 4.5K but being realistic in this market we would let it go for 4.2K. If you are interested mail me on cooke2262@fsmail.net and I will send you some pics.

Thanks I will have a look :) at the minute I'm just browsing to be honest and still haven't decided 100% on a particular style/model etc so the more suggestions the better. I shall drop you an email.

(Edit:Cheers mate, cool looking car! Will deffo consider it!! :) )

On the safety aspect, most modern small cars are very well protected and EuroNCAP seems to back that up for the MINI -> MINI | Euro NCAP - For safer cars crash test safety rating (http://www.euroncap.com/results/mini.aspx) . Certainly a big step up from the "death traps" I learnt to drive in!

While it's not a powerful car in the scheme of things, 115hp is enough to get you into trouble and will probably feel a big step up from what you're used to. However, the MINI is a very predictable handling car and as long as you don't try and drive beyond your ability you should be fine. If you want to lower your insurance, I'd recommend looking at PassPlus, or signing up for an advanced driving course. I'm currently teaching a couple of 17 year olds who passed their test at the end of last year and they're amazed at how much they're learning and how much quicker they can drive safely ;)

I like the comment about it being a girlie car but I wouldn't let it bother you. It could be worse - they could accuse you of being an estate agent :biggrin:

Chris

got a mini for my first car never looked back had minis ever since and i dont see myself changing the trend! nothing else comes close to comparing for the money

got a mini for my first car never looked back had minis ever since and i dont see myself changing the trend! nothing else comes close to comparing for the money

That's exactly the sort of comment I was hoping to hear mate lol

Just incase anyone was wondering how I got on with my test, I got all the way over to the test centre to be told "CANCELLED DUE TO SNOW!!" :( Trust the good old Yorkshire weather to ruin everything!!

Commenting again on the girlie aspect, I think people think they're girlie because they're beautiful cars, and girls like them. I take that as a positive thing. Mine doesn't look or act too girly though, with sporty seats, a grumbling exhaust note that pops and burbles a lot, and larger wheels, it looks pretty darn manly.

The fact that MINI managed to make a great handling, fun to drive and own car that is so good looking means something. Even the MINI ONE can be a manly car, the custimizability of them allows you to do pretty much anything with them, but as a base car, they are fun and reliable, and if your mates make fun of you, tell them to test drive one before judging. Don't let them drive yours though ;-)

As someone above said, you need to drive a MINI and it will put such a big smile on your face you will realise that no other car will compare for the fun factor. Anything else seems boring after a MINI. Go for it!
:D

Hi James! I am new to this forum too and my first car is a 2004 mini cooper S. I love this car. I also hear from a lot of people that my car is feminine until i get them in the car and drive on some winding roads. Mini's are pretty safe cars. You will love your car go for the mini!

Cheers again guys. Hopefully I will get another appointment in the coming weeks so I can finally take my test!! I have seen about 4 or 5 Minis that would be ideal so when I pass I am gonna be spoilt for choice :)

Look at a one - you'll find the insurance is a LOT cheaper... Then you can either chip it up to cooper performance or leave it standard.

If its your first car I'd leave it standard - the cooper only ever has any extra power over 3,800rpm, which lets face it, isn't where you normally drive! Plus the R50 one has better gear ratios ;)

Hey James

I'm 17 and my first car is a 2001 MINI Cooper, had a few little issues with it that needed to be sorted out due to its age but I'm never ever going to sell it!

I don't think it's a girly car & I wouldn't want people to think that! A girly car to me is just anything painted pink or purple!

Problems that I had were the airbag sensor and the remote locking sensor in the rear-view mirror needing replacing and this thing where the windows mist up really badly! But I was able to buy some window cleaning stuff from my local dealer for about £6 which seems to remedy this fairly well.

Basically, just be aware of faults with older, cheaper models - we didn't know that the airbag light meant and it can pass an MOT with it on! Obviously my parents wanted this fixed with me being a new driver and all but it did cost about £300 in total!

I did originally want an old (as in not BMW MINI) mini but dad was convinced that he would have to spend ages fixing/"doing it up" it and it wasn't safe enough for a new driver. My friend recently had one as her first car and has recently replaced it with a new one due to the money she was spending fixing it!


I do sometimes wonder wether I should have got a MINI diesel or even a One diesel as the insurance and running costs would be lower and bio diesel would be more eco-friedly but I was after the red and white (wheels, mirrors, roof) look which proved hard to find and when you look into it, you don't save that much anyway and all my friends are very jealous when they see my car!

Best of luck with your test!