Confused First Time Buyer Seeks Views

[eloisa]

Hi, we are just about to purchase our first Mini (a Cooper convertible). Husband's old car is an Audi cabriolet but is now 14 years old - we can't afford to replace it with another Audi so have decided on the Mini. We are both going to drive the car but can't agree on a colour - he likes Midnight Black and I like Pepper White. His argument is that the white is too feminine, and I think the black is too bloke-ish. What are your views, and any other colour ideas? We are finding it hard to find a showroom nearby with convertibles in the showroom (wrong time of year we are told!)
Thanks!

[wulliecoutts]

Quote: Originally Posted by eloisa (original)

Hi, we are just about to purchase our first Mini (a Cooper convertible). Husband's old car is an Audi cabriolet but is now 14 years old - we can't afford to replace it with another Audi so have decided on the Mini. We are both going to drive the car but can't agree on a colour - he likes Midnight Black and I like Pepper White. His argument is that the white is too feminine, and I think the black is too bloke-ish. What are your views, and any other colour ideas? We are finding it hard to find a showroom nearby with convertibles in the showroom (wrong time of year we are told!)
Thanks!

hi there welcome to the forum , you tell him to get the black one ! , seriously though think long and hard bout the black as its a nightmare to keep clean , i know cos i am trading in a black bmw for a pepper white cooper with black roof , mirrors and stripes - looks good not too feminine & between black and white !!

if you still cant decide theres only one way to settle this ....FIGHT ! as harry hill says....haha

[MINIcharged]

Both look great, especially with a contrasting roof. My wife doesn't look at all blokey driving our black MCS! But let's face it, the mini isn't the most masculine looking car in any colour (bodykits and race stickers not withstanding)

For us it was more about what was available as ours was a cherished, we spend ages waiting for the right spec in the right colour at the right price. We realy wanted black or white and black came up first.

Basicly, it doesn't really matter, you should love it either way!

[MINIcharged]

Quote: Originally Posted by wulliecoutts (original)

if you still cant decide theres only one way to settle this ....FIGHT ! as harry hill says....haha

Ha ha... FIIIIIGHT!!!
Love it!

[MACKIT]

I agree that the Mini in general is not the most masculine of cars. Its masculinity is further diminished when the top is removed.

I would probably agree with your husband and say a white convertible is possibly more feminine looking than a black one. You can always add things like black bonnet stripes and black alloys to decrease the feminine look.

Black might be a good compromise though as a black mini cabriolet will never look too blokish!

From a maintenance point of view you may find that black shows a lot of scratches but white will never look quite as good as a car with metallic paint following a clean and polish.

[pilotart]

You must see the actual car to appreciate the colour! (Don't forget to remove sunglasses .)

I had my mind set for Blue and visited a well stocked dealer to try the various upholstery options. After I saw the Yellow, I knew that was what I wanted, but had never considered it from photos or online configurator.

Wife also liked Pepper White and it would be second choice for me. If he gets you to go with Black, you will need him to agree to at least weekly polishes to keep it looking decent.

Mellow Yellow is no longer available, but Cabrio's now feature Interchange Yellow and along with Pepper White, will save you the extra charge ($500US here) MINI adds for most colours (metallic) including Midnight Black.

One last 'pitch' for the yellow is that it is a Cabrio ONLY exclusive COLOUR!

[M.O.S]

I am male and have pepper white

I also know a personal trainer with PW, a salesman, and several other males so pepper white really isn't feminine! Yellow can be seen by some as feminine (not me but...). Having said that I know a fair few females with black... Colours on minis don't really mean anything! If you want to go for BRG - thats a brilliant looking colour AND its rare

[eloisa]

Thanks so much everyone; still confused and undecided but have found your comments helpful. Think we will have to decide the Harry Hill way after all.

[PK5]

hello Eloisa, this is my car.

[Tara&Paul]

My advice is don't waste your money, the R56 is a third rate badly made, cheap car which Mini charge a first rate price for.

I have an October 2007 R56 Cooper S which I bought new and paid £25K for and i've had lots of problems with it...

Timing chain
Vanos unit
CV boot
Condensation in the fog lights, head lights, tail lights.
Water leaks
Dashboard rattles etc
Drivers window rattle

And the paint is so thin on an R56 it chips when you breath on it too hard!

I intend to sell the car as soon as the warranty expires and I will never buy another Mini or Bmw car due to the way that I have been treated by BMW.

P.

[PK5]

I have had mine six months and had not one problem with it. If you check every type of vehicle out there someone will always have the monday orning car.

[redlinepete]

My wife works for Audi on the service desk...Thats why I have a mini not an Audi....
She has people coming in with brand spanking new cars worth 30k, 50k, 80k have big problems new engines, gear boxes, ecu's..... So you can't say mini's are rubbish...
Some are better than others...Just remember BMW have sold 1000s so your bound to get some faulty ones.

[eloisa]

Thanks for the photo PK5, your Mini is really nice. I'd be happy to buy a yellow one but husband saw another black Mini convertible on the road yesterday afternoon and is even more keen than before. I, on the other hand, think they can look slightly funereal and even a bit sinister in black! We have just ordered the car (in black) but have been told we can change the colour any time up to production stage. Didn't think buying a new car could cause so much anguish!