[Helen-Lora]

Hi everyone, I'm new on this forum and joined to learn everthing what dealers don't tell you. Anyway, I don't have a mini yet, soon though. The thing is, I really can't decide which one to get. I will be eventually be working as a psychiatric community nurse, so a small car would be really ideal, and for me, the only choice is the mini. However, which one? I can't decide from the mini one, or the cooper. Does anyone have experience of both?

Also, is there anyway to choose another colour from those offered? I had a pink mini in mind, until I found out they don't do pink mini cars. Shame. So how about the stripes? Can you buy alternative colours from places? I'm thinking PEPPER WHITE (including roof) with pink stripes on the front. Of course, i once saw a van with the pink panther on it, and like that idea too! But would really love pink stripes on pepper white. If anyone knows, please let me know. Thanks.

P.S. I thought I was going nuts with my obsessions with mini, I'm glad I'm not the only one. Anything that isn't mini is boring!!!!

[ABG]

Hi - welcome to MINI2

I'm sure there will be lots of people with differing views on whether to get a Cooper or a one. You get some extra features on the Cooper, some extra bhp and I think a stiffer suspension. Looking at the MINI configurator on MINI.co.uk would be a good start to see what your extra money spent on a Cooper would get you.

The colours listed on the website are the only available from MINI, so unless you wanted to buy a car and have it resprayed then Pink is out. Stripes are easier - lots of places do custom graphics and pink bonnet stripes or pink Viper stripes could easily be done by aftermarket suppliers. You might want to check the sponsors page on MINI2 - from memory www.idlegear.co.uk would be one but there are others. There are almost no limits - one MINI2 member has a black and white graphic of Michael Caine on his roof

Hope this helps a bit

[Ian Clark]

The best thing is to go with your heart !.

If it's my opinion you want.
Well, Go for the Cooper. Its JUST as much fun as the ONE but with a little more power. If power isn't what you are really bothered about, go for the ONE, save your self a couple of grand and some on your insurance and still get a fine car that has perfectly acceptable power. In fact is damn nippy. !


As for colour? ALWAYS a personal thing. I have Silver with Black roof but if you like the Pepper white, go for it as it's GORGEOUS !

Pepper white with Pink Stripes? Eeek. !! Not for me but as I always said.. it's a personal thing.

Consider this though. If you do get pink stripes on it, think of it's "Sell-ability" later on. Taking the vinyls off "may" leave "Un-oxidised" stripes on the car depending on your care of it so it may not be viable to remove them and it might be hard to sell a car so personalised.

However it would be a blast to see such individuality

Good luck on your decisions and more importantly. - POST PICS

[Olio]

There are a couple of white minis in Norwich with pink roofs. I seem to remember the local dealer telling me that they had spraid them pre-delivery. I know that there are some really flexible vinyls out there now too, so I should think you could get someone to vinyl the roof pink, so that if you change your mind, you could get it peeled off!

Might look good (?!) with pink bonnet stripes, and would work OK on either a One or a Cooper.

[Bilbo Baggins]

The absoultely best car is ................................ the one you have.

Pick either you can not go wrong. Enjoy.

[dcfkan]

Re-spraying the entire car will be expensive, however, Apple's roof and wing mirrors cost me 470 GBP inclusive of VAT, arranged via my dealership back in Feb 2002

How about IB, LY, CR, PW or Black with a Shocking Pink Roof? Now that's what I would call a groovy combination

Welcome to MINI2 btw, follow your heart, and spec your MINI the way you want it to be, good luck

DK :apple:

[Helen-Lora]

Thanks everyone for all your ideas. I never thought of that, having a pink roof, with the pink stripes I had in mind. that would be great. I get the bits about the re-sell though, but I think I would prefer to keep it, look after it and make it last, otherwise, I would only be having to keep re-spraying the new cars. I really want something that's absolutely me! Couldn't sell it, be like a member of the family. Call it after my cat, Pookie. Well, maybe not. I didn't know the Mini One was nippy, so I would probably go for that one, after all, I wouldn't be travelling far, just within the town. I talked to my partner about the Diesel, but he simply said that would be a bad idea. Still don't understand why, but I won't rule it out. At the moment I've got a Rover 200 (Purple) before that a Rover 400. Wasn't allowed to have a mini at the time, when I'm ready, and got all my facts and figures, will go see the dealer. You've got to be carefulthese days, I was fooled twice by Rover, and won't be making that mistake again.

Thanks again everyone
Helen-Lora xxx

[Ian Clark]

Buying a diesel round town? hmm.. dunno really. I supposed you still get better fuel consumption but diesels really come into their own on a motorway.

When I had a Focus 1.8 Tddi, I'd get around 350miles per tank around the town but on the motorway I'd get around 500 and I even got it up to 560miles to the tank on a trip to Scotland.

[dcfkan]

I would probably have to re-spray Apple's roof and wing mirrors back to either white or black before I can sell her

She is really me I guess

DK :apple: