Newbee with questions

[mmm]

Hello all, as the title says, I have a couple unrelated questions. Anyone know what percentage of MINI drivers are female? Seems like the MINI is kind of a "cute" car b/c of it's diminuitive size. Yet the car is just as much of a "drivers" car that attracts people like me --a car guy.

Also, what kind of performance can I expect out of the MINI Cooper S --that is, in terms of flat-out acceleration and handling? My current car is an Acura Integra. The numbers (hp, weight, acceleration) are almost identical, so I'm looking for other reasons to drop some cash on a new car. Surely, the MINI would be a better "date" car (no explanation needed). Though, what else does it offer in terms of performance and overall feel?

Other options include the Audi TT (nice but getting on) and Audi A4 (lil' boring and more expensive but practical). I also like the looks of the 2005 Mustang but want no association with the "usual" Mustang drivers 'round here. Anything else fun (Porsche Boxster or BMW Z4) requires more money that I'd rather not spend right now. ...BTW (and in case anyone considers), the Miata is too old and unoriginal --even with turbocharger. The Beetle is out of the question (I am not "man" enough to drive such a girly car; doesn't handle worth s**t either), and the Golf GTI --though historically interesting --hasn't inspired since the first generation. Lastly, the Lotus Elise comes close to being the ultimate "driver's car"; though, it's simply not available in the States right now, and may not be practical enough to serve as a daily driver as well.

All replies welcome! Nice site.

[tavis1]

Let me be the first to welcome you too MINI2.com. I have an MCS and love it even though it has some issues. The bigest problem for the MCS is the yo- yo problem. It's a surging of the car on gental acceleration in secon and third gear about 3000 RPM. Not all MCS's have it but, a majority do. They are suposed to be comming out with a fix soon. The car is very agile and responsive. It will out perform just about anything on the road through the twisties. Flat out acceleration is poor off the line due to low tork but, get about 3500 and above and the supercharger starts huff'n and the car takes on a hole new meaning. I'ts not neck snaping speed but it will push you into the seat. Another bid complaint is MINI service locations. If you live in a town with a MINI dealer then great. I live about two houre from my dealer and when the O2 sensor it was a royal pain in the a _ _! All in all I love my MCS but I don't think I would buy another untile BMW does some changes.
Tavis1

[addman]

Welcome aboard mmm.

Percentage? Well, from observation here in the UK, I'd say it's majority female. I think with the MCS it's probably just majority male, but I'm seeing more and more female MCS drivers. Like you say the car is cute, but I don't think it's identified as a gender specific car at all.

Can you get a test drive near you? That, for me, was the clincher. People go on about the Min being the best handling car in the world - I'm not sure that's true by any stretch, but I think it comes from it being one of the most fun! I think it's a very emotive thing, it either bites you or it doesn't.

Other considerations like the problems (which, to be fair, are getting better - my Apr 03 build Cooper has had a windscreen and top trim replace only) and practicality (it's nowhere near the A4, but yes it beats the Elise ) tend to fade away if you fall in love with it...

[Rehund]

The gender-owner question came up in another thread. I am not able to tell you who owns them but I can give general statistical data. Below is a cut and paste from what I posted on the "male or female owners" thread.

I work for a company that gets vehicle data from the state of Florida. I did a quick look at the data and here are the results.
Total number of Minis registered in Florida as of aprox. May 1 = 4,662.
I dropped those registered by businesses as they would not have gender. I also dropped older minis and odd vin configs.
Total number with vin config containing RC33(MC) or RE33(MCS) and registered by individuals = 4,416.
Total by gender.
Male 2,648. Female 1,768.
Total by model and gender.
MC and Female as first registrant = 1,172.
MC and Male as first registrant = 1,279.
MCS and Female as first registrant = 596.
MCS and Male as first registrant = 1,369.

[stryder]

Welcome to MINI2,

You really need to test drive the car to see why its good, and besides that, A Lotus Elise costs $40K, in the same league as a fully loaded Cooper S with The JCW package, which would give you 200hp, so if that's what your budget looks like, you'd get quite the acceleration. Benefit of the MINI, you can add in the JCW package in a few years and start with a car well under $30K. But really go drive it, and your seat of the pants feeling will tell you if its fast enough and handles well enough.

Rehund's data should answer your question, its not really a girl's car in the US, especially indicative by that around half of cars sold are S', and the stereotypical girl's car isn't a 6 speed 165 hp thing. (Even if there clearly are females who love their MCS' its just a bit more uncommon).