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I was looking for a new car, and have been really despondant realising that there might just not be a car out there that makes me swoon, maybe i'm not a car person. Then i spotted this little car hidden amongst the big cars.. and I've always seen Mini's and thought, yeah their cute, but it wasn't until I looked inside and sat in one yesterday that I fell in love!
This car is so me! it makes me happy to get in it and it feels like my own little space capsule! I love the big dials and all the space agey interrior, its so me!
Now I don't know which Mini to buy? How many different models are there? I was looking at one that was supercharged and that sounds nice. I'm looking at a pre-loved Mini, not a brand spanker because thats all my budget will permit. So i guess i'm after some opinions, which mini do you have or do you want, and why?
Also wanted to know if the Cooper S being supercharged whether it chews up the fuel?
There are currently 4 models. MINI One D, MINI One, MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper S (the S being the supercharged version you are on about). Not sure if the One D (a diesel) is marketed in Australia.
In addition to this there is a BMW approved John Cooper Works kit that boosts the power of the S from 170BHP to 210BHP (or 200 for earlier versions).
The S isn't the best on fuel but then it's not all that bad compared with similar performance cars.
You can check out http://www.mini.com.au/ for most of the details about the standard spec cars and the myriad of options available. I'm sure this will then create more q's for you. Just pop back to the site and use the search and you should find 99% of your answers. If not, post.
The MINI One and One D are not available in Australia, so you have a Cooper, Cooper S or a Cooper S Works. Also a choice of hatch or convertible and manual or automatic..
Place to look for a second hand MINI is Auto Classic as a lot of customers are trading in for new MINIs. Today's West Australian, page 45. has 3 second hand Cooper CVTs and a demo Cooper with Chilli pack.
Depending on how you drive it there will be little difference in fuel consumption between the Cooper and the Cooper S
Check out the clubMINI.com.au/wa website for details of local MINI activities.
...but then you'll end up wanting the Cooper S or, if you get change to try it, the Works!
I was perfectly happy with my MINI One until recently, when I decided to get a Cooper S. As luck had it, a Cooper S Works came along at a price too good to refuse... and I've ended up with that. There's no going back now!
That said, I've switched between the Works and the One a few times this last week, and I still love my One. I would now been inclined to recommend the S though, or the Works, as a recent supercharger-convert.
You also have the choice of the Checkmate or Parklane (although I'm sure at the moment you will only find them in the brand new pile only just recently being released)
I chose the Cooper S Cabrio, only because I like to have the option of open air driving when I want it (and not limited to a small section of the roof opening). As far as CVT or Manual, that's your call. If you prefer driving an automatic (they do come with steptronic swith paddles on the S for manual control) then this is for you, otherwise you can always go for the manual. If you go for the manual in an S, you can always upgrade it to John Cooper Works at a later stage (when the budget allows) as this option is only available on the manual over here.
Either way, all are fun to drive, except IMHO the cooper auto is lacking in power to get you up steep hills, the cooper S has all the power you could possible need. Don't forget also that driving a MINI is not very different from driving a motorbike, in that you can get in and out of tight spots pretty easily.
I hope you have fun looking for your MINI, and the most important thing of course to remember is to have fun test driving them all, second most important, make sure you buy from a MINI dealer (this way there are no surprises if warranty issues arise).
If you get it from a MINI dealer, it's hard to go wrong. I have owned 3 of them, and they are excellent cars. One has to expect some interesting developments, but that's why they have roadside assistance and loaner cars--it's rather like having a cat, and knowing to expect hairballs.
But for sheer fun, and handling, and (if you get the cabriolet) simple open-air pleasure, and traffic-light blowaways, this is the best of the 37 cars I have owned.
But I would not buy one from anyone who's not a MINI dealer.
I have an S at 16, and wouldn't trade it for the world. I've driven several MINI's, both Coopers, and S', both automatic and manual, and I can say the manual S is the best one. The pickup and power is very nice. I just don't feel the other's being up to par with the S. I know the money difference can be a lot (~$3k) but it IS supercharged, and I love it!
I get ~17-20mpg (according to the computer) when I drive....but in reality, if you don't stay above 4-6k like I do! you should be able to get ~23-25mpg. I personally would get the S, based on driving all of the others.
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Which MINI should I buy 
