[jodathmorr]

Ok. I went onto the Mini USA site this afternoon and I came up the the following Configuration. Hopefully after a little convincing from my parents Ill soo have my very own MINI. This configuration is ment to be pretty inexpensive so if theres something in there that you think a teenage driver dosn't really need for city/highway driving please tell me.

Here is the configuration:

MINI Cooper $16,850
Chili Red $0
Black Roof $0
Tartan Red/Kaleido Int $0

Premium Package $1,250
AC
Sunroof
Cruise Steering Wheel
Onboard computer

*Dynamic Stability Control $500
15" 8 Spoke Wheels $0
*Front Fog Lamps $140
*Xenon Headlights $500
CVT Transmission $1,250
Sport Seats $270
*HK Speakers $550
CD/AM/FM $0

Grand Total ------------
$21,310

The things with stars by them are items I'm not sure I will need on the car. I don't know how good they are or how well they operate. With the Fog lamps and the Xenon lights I want to have high visibility but do the standard lights give you enough visability are will the fog lamps be used that much? We don't get too much fog but I figured that they would help with visability. I need high visability because I have to drive down many twisty/foresty roads at night to get home.

With the HK speakers, I love my music. I want to have a really good sound system so I can relax to some jazz or something on a ride and I DO NOT want one of those really bassy systems some people use to listen to *ick* rap music. Do the HKs do a good job or should I just stick with the standard package?

With the DSC, I don't know how well this thing works. I don't even know what it does beyond that it calculates your turning radius and the road's angle or something. It dosn't drive the car for you... Does it? Would a person who drives a moderate ammount need it?

Thanks for taking a look at this and thanks for answering my questions!

The last thing I want to say is that my parents want me to drive the safest car possible. They also want me to enjoy the car i drive in but most importaintly they want me safe. I'm not the kind of driver who is going to drive across the country. This car is going to be for residential/highway/and city driving, nothing offroad.

Thanks again! All comments are welcome! I want feedback!!!

[groovy_jr]

If you are interested in what the sale value will be like when you want to sell it on then some extras aren't worth anything. Can't comment cause I don't know what the US market is like!

However if it was me as you can see in my spec below....get everything you can afford!

[Cape Cod MINI]

Dump the CVT. The MINI was made to be shifted, IMHO. That'll get it very close to 20k and make your parents very happy.
And if you don't know how to drive a standard, don't worry, you'll learn very quickly

[jodathmorr]

Well the thing is my parents really want me to drive an automatic. They said that learning stick is really complicated and takes a lot of getting used to. I sorta stopped looking at Minis when they said that they don't want me using a stick shift. But a friend of my brother's said that there is going to be an Automatic Cooper model so that got me intrested in getting the car again.

[Casey]

Dump the HK and go aftermarket...tsipple has convinced me of this....i'm going with sat radio and aftermarket speakers, NO sub. Keep the Xenon - visibility is a 100 times better with them. Some people think they are harder to see when they are coming at you on another car, but I tend to think they are easier on my eyes and the light is clean light, personal preference. The fog lights are mostly for show if you ask me, i'm getting as I love the look of them on the front, and gives me the toggle switch....but as far as usefullness??? rarely....99.999% of the time you see a vehicle with the fogs on, it has nothing to do with weather, it is either the cool factor they are going for are forgot they were on...as in normal driving they don't aid in visiblity unless visiblity is less then 20 feet out.

Sport Seats - I think these are a must as from everything I've heard, the other seats allow you to slide way to much.

DSC - i think your parents will be happy to get you this option as in times when you might normally have lost control of the car, this will save you and your car.

Sunroof - I like it, not necessary, but should increase resale down the road.

CVT - personally wouldn't want it, but then again I don't like in an area where stop and go traffic is a problem. I have 4 sets of stop lights i have to go through on a 15 mile journey to work, which will change to a 20 mile backroads windy route once the mini is here w/ only 1 stop light. If i lived in a major city, where traffic is common to be stop and go, i wouldn't want a stick.

Cheers and best of luck

ps - if you do decide to get the HK remember it is delayed until sept build dates, not sure what time frame you were looking at getting this.

[ELISEBOY]

honestly its dead easy once you get the hang of it

the auto is just a waste of money IMHO and I agree that its a car to be driven and shifted,
have a go in a manual and then tell us that you want an auto

you will never go back

[jodathmorr]

Thanks alot Casey! Your comments really helped.

I think i will drop the fog lights and the HK speakers. Maybe ill go with a nice Sony thing .

One other question tho. Whats the problem with the auto trans? I know it reduces the HP and the 0-60 and some other little things but why is everyone so opposed to it? :P Is it really that bad? Why does no one like it?!

PS: Still going with the auto unless someone can really convince me to go the other way. My parent's don't care either way but they would rather see me drive and auto and they woun't be hesitent to dish out the $1,250 for it even tho thats a little steep.

[chiph]

Quote:

Originally posted by jodathmorr
I know it reduces the HP and the 0-60 and some other little things but why is everyone so opposed to it? :P Is it really that bad? Why does no one like it?!

OK, you'll get:

• Better gas milage
• Higher resale value
• More control over the car
• A skill you may need one day

Also, you'll feel more connected to the road. Yes, it's an intangible, but once you've driven a car that gives you this, you won't want anything else.

Chip H.

[Casey]

Sony would be a good aftermarket option if you are going with the Multifunction Steering wheel as from what i've read, it is the only one that is able to work with the controls ont he wheel.

The manual won't generally give you better 0-60 times...in fact I think it was road and track that said about 85% of the population that drives sticks could get better acceleration from an auto. But I find the manual much more fun and enjoyable....it takes some getting used to, but once you get the hang of it it isn't a problem. It will save you some cash getting the manual, teach you how to drive a stick which everyone should do atleast once while young, give you better gas mileage, and be a more enjoyable ride. Though if you live in a high traffic area and you tend to get nervous or fluttered under pressure or stress(not trying to be rude here) it might be better to go with the auto. I've seen alot of young ones trying to learn to drive stick in rush hour stop and go traffic...."very" stressful.

Cheers mate

[Sejanus]

There are a fair number of us out here who are going for the CVT. My personal feeling is that while manual may be a little more fun and responsive occasionally it is just a bit of a pain in any sort of heavy traffic. As Casey said it depends a lot on what your driving conditions are likely to be. I don't "stress out" driving a manual in traffic, but I do find it annoying. Manuals do get better gas mileage although from what I've read this seems to be less of a gap with the CVT as opposed to a traditional automatic. There is still a difference though. Automatic's are also (in general) sturdier and less likely to need break down or wear out. Of course, a CVT may be somewhat different in that regard. I doubt it, but time will tell. If an auto tranny does break down though, they tend to be costlier to fix. It is really very much a matter of personal taste. I know people who swear by manuals and I know folks who grew up on manuals and wouldn't buy one now unless they had a gun to their head. I don't see why a manual would increase your resale value. They might be a bit more in demand, but the car is cheaper to start with and likely to be more in common. Someone who wants a CVT will be willing to pay for it. In any case test drive both and see how you feel.

[fpsprite]

Hey (That is a SC greeting),

Folks are right about the HK system. It won't be available to later this year. You can get a great after market system installed for the same $ or less.

Regarding auto v. stick -

Totally up to you. I've driven both (of course, at my age, I've driven horses too) and both have their advantages. For pure fun and performance, you just can't beat a stick. For "laid back" driving, an auto is the ticket - especially if you do a lot of stop-n-go traffic.

Frankly, if you get a stick, you will definitely become more knowledgeable regarding how engines and transmissions work together. You will ultimately develop the skills that will enable you to exercize better control over your vehicle. The hardest part is getting the car going from a dead stop in first gear. Once you've got that, you have it made. No one is asking for heel-n-toe, double clutch downshifts here. And don't be embarassed if you "puke" the engine and stall it once in a while. Everyone - repeat everyone - does it!

Advantage - You will never have to say "I can't drive a stick!" (You are with someone who is driving a stick shift, but they are "incapicated" and can't drive - you will be able to get home)
Advantage - Perception: Sticks = performance = competence.
Advantage - Driving is a "blast" with a stick.

In the end, it is your decision and if you still want the auto, great! It's your car and you are the driver! I'd personally support that decision (PS - My first entry on this board was to ask if the Cooper S was available with an auto!!!).





buy a Mini and tIt's really not not that a b

[MiniCooperS2002]

If you are looking to save money, drop the Xenon headlights. They're really nice, but not something you need. Also I would get a stick, if you get used to it now, you won't have to worry about it later in life. I'm really not sure about the DSC, because I'm not sure what kind of driving you will be doing or how fast or agressive it will be. And the premium package seems like a good thing, especially if you live somewhere where you need AC(Sunroof is cool also). I'm guessing the HK is a great system, but you will have to wait a while(if you don't have a problem with waiting, then go for it). Hope it helps.

[Casey]

Another comment about the Xenons - do you live in a major city and is most of your driving in the city? Or do you live in a smaller town, drive alot at night in the country etc. If you are the first, drop the xenons, if you are the latter, get them. If 99% of your driving will be on interstates, or city traffic around town, you won't need the added visiblity, but if you tend to drive the roads that I seem to find, you will want them. I do alot of driving in the late evenings and nights and personally hate the halogens I have on my car, tried adjusting them many times, but never could get decent visiblity out of them. Drove a mates a4 with xenons at night and loved them from the get go - was a day and night difference in what you can see (including the ditches which around here in the fall the deer are moving alot and usually have a close call with a deer atleast once a year)

Cheers

[Marv]

I had these on a Honda and motorists coming toward me were always flashing their brights thinking mine were on bright. Bahstads.

[jodathmorr]

I live in the suburbs of Philadelphia and I also drive through a lot of country side like you guys have in London. I also drive on a lot of one lane roads with thick trees on either side.

[PghArch]

It sounds like anything that has a safety aspect will be much desired by your parents (I hope you appreciate what they are doing for you!) Based on that, I think your spec looks terrific if you drop off the H/K system (and maybe the fog lights). As has been pointed out the H/K system means delays, and you can always upgrade the audio later if you feel the need.

As for the foglights, you shouldn't turn them on unless you are in the fog. So, if you don't often have fog you don't need them. Still, ask your parents, for the money they do offer better visibility in particular driving conditions, which is more safety. Personally, I frequently drive through a portion of Ohio with bad fog and know I'll want them. I had a previous car with owner fitted fog lights and they really did help.

Finally, don't worry about all the people down on your getting a CVT. You will have lots of time to learn to drive a manual, and the CVT does have a steptronic mode so that you can start to learn the impact of gear ratios on the car performance. Mostly, it means you won't have to worry about learning how to use a clutch just now.

[minimum_wage]

What to keep or not to keep is pretty subjective but there are some options that are good and bad values.

The fog lights are a great deal. To get factory or dealer installed on a honda is $500. You would be hard pressed to get after market fogs installed for $140.

The HK stereo is not a good deal.

Get the DSC. You're seem to be a young driver (unless your thirty-five and your parents are buying you a car). DSC is a good active safety feature and makes a car like the mini be more like a BMW.


My car just ordered.
Red S with white top 16"wheels and mirrors
DSC, Multifunction Wheel,computer, Xenons and Fogs
Cold weather package, Space cloth

[Garfield]

jodathmorr, I'm sorry, but I have to comment on your parents' logic. That is a really pathetic excuse NOT to get a manual. Everyone should learn manual first. Don't make yourself one of those people who can't drive someone else's car. Who'll never feel the joy of the heel/toe. Who'll always have the slower version of the car (in MOST cases).

If you had simply said, "I'd like an automatic", fine, it's your choice. But at a young age and NEVER learning to drive a stick? I can't think of too many bigger mistakes.

But, take this with a grain of salt. I own three cars. Two six speeds and a five speed (even the family hauler is a six speed). My wife learned to drive on a stick, I was driving stick at 12. It just doesn't make any sense to never learn and IT'S NOT THAT HARD.

Do both your parents drive automatics? If so, please go against the grain on this one, it's a bad move.

Sorry for my very emotional soap box speech. Hell, I'm not that far from you, I may even decide to come up there and teach you myself if your parents aren't willing...

[Sejanus]

Garfield's right about learning to drive a stick, it's a useful ability to have. And I say this as someone who would never buy a manual transmission. (although the Cooper S does tempt me) You should learn and then make your choice about the type you want.

[Deuce Coop]

GO with the manuel transmission. It will save you money in the long run.

Example- my parents bought me a used pickup when I was in high school, manual transmission. Learned to drive it within a month comfortably and drove it through college, having replaced the clutch once, and will sell it when my MINI is purchased. My wife's paents bought her a ccompact sedan her freshman year of college which she drovet hrough graduation and then 1 1/2 years until we had to trade it in because the transmission was beggining to fail, leading to a new car note a year before budgeted.

Point-this car is a great thing your parents are giving to you. If taken care of propperly it will last through your schooling and into the begginings of your profesional carreer. The last thing you want is to have to pay for costly transmission repair, go with the manual as they tend to be more trouble free and stand up better to young drivers. Heck get the manual and upgrade to an S with the premium package for about the same prce