[cooper4us]

So, fellow MINI fans.....When you were shopping for your new MINIs, what other cars made it up to the top of your list? Why did you pick the MINI above the other likely runner ups?

Also, what kind of cross shopping did you do? Did you cross shopped the MINI with a SUV and viceversa? (Just kidding!)

Until the MINI came to the US, we were pretty much settled into replacing our second car with a new 2003 Pontiac Vibe. Not a bad vehicle at all, but left us a bit dissapointed in the engine power and standard safety equipment departments. Otherwise a well finished, practical if not a bit mundane GM/Toyota product.

When we finally saw the MINI in person, we started second guessing ourselves and decided that we didn't really need a second 4 door car (Or 5 door hatchback in this instance)and that the MINI still being a hatchback (Albeit smaller with 3 doors) we could get by just fine with it (We already have a year old American full size sedan as our primary driver, bought new).

Since we don't have any kids yet and have been itching (For a long time) for a nice, affordable European made and engineered car, the MINI seemed like the best choice over the Vibe, plus the added benefit of BMW quality and excellent resale values made it a no brainer choice!.

We have about $1,500 worth of accrued rebate points in our GM credit card (We could had applied to the Vibe), but we still decided to go with the MINI instead as it would come at about the same price or lower than the Vibe, with better std safety equipment, superb driving dynamics, incredible assembly quality and the "Cool" factor and uniqueness missing from the Vibe.

We did not cross shop any other cars. We are not really into Japanese subcompact and compact cars either.

[plake]

I sold my '95 Jag XJ6 3.2 and '89 Lancia Integrale 16v for a Mini Cooper, but also considered an RX7 (sex-on-wheels, but £4k engine rebuild every 50000 miles) and an Elise (people s****** at you when you try to get in or out). None of the MINI's obvious rivals (Clio172, Alfa147, AudiA2, Beetle) really stack up for me, but I was very tempted by the Elise, and may buy one in 2 or 3yrs time

We first saw the MINI when we were visiting in Minneapolis at a showroom set up in a mall. Called International Auto in Milwaukee about a test drive. That's all it took and we had three cars. (There's only two of us)

Our second MINI is in production and I'm getting our '99 Passat spiffed up for trade-in. We're going to have two of these marvels in our garage. Oh, the third car? It's a LeSabre and it's going to sit out in the rain. Major highway miles will go on the Buick, at least for a while.

[Nico]

I was on the lookout for a VW Golf GT TDI 130, but there are far to many of them on the roads around Belfast, so I reckon I made the right choice and went for something a bit out of the ordinary.

Roll on next tuesday !?!

[zoooooom]

I was not looking for a new car I was quite happy with what I had umtil someone showed me a Photo of the new MINI that was due out a year away.And I had to have it.

[Dom]

A citroen saxo vtr... wasn't a difficult choice

Dom

[Dshelton]

Looked at:
VW Golf
VW Lupo GTI
VW Polo GTI
Seat Ibiza Cupra Sport
Renault Clio 16V

All of these were looked at bcos i thought MINI's were expensive.....the rest is history. All i know tho is i aint lookin at those again!!!!

[Coopergeezer]

Brought an Autoexpress on the Thursday, decided that this car was for me and brought it on the Saturday.

[miniblue]

I considered & test drove:

Mercedes A Class A190 Avantgarde (thought is was a bad drive IMHO, though very spacious)

Golf TDi 130 (a good one, but every other car is a Golf over here)

Alfa Romeo 147 1.6 Lusso (this one was the closest, thought is was a really nice car till we stopped at the MINI dealership!!)

Absolutely fell in love with the MC, ordered mine 4 days ago ... expected end of October.

[niall]

Wasn't really shopping, just wanted one and when my 205 gti was showing its age decided to go for it. Am looking at getting an Elise next year as a stablemate for the MINI (plus the girlfriend will be taking over the MINI)

[redchilli]

I decided to join the real world and buy a house with my girlfriend, so my previous car, a Lotus Elise S2 (pics here http://www.spamtastic.demon.co.uk/lotus-elise-s2/ ) had to go.
I sold it last month, and have a chili red cooper on order (due in october). Can't wait

Was really impressed with the mini's handling. I only went to test drive it as a bit of a laugh and ended up loving it. While it will never be in the same league as the elise performance or handling wise, i'm sure it will be just as much fun, and it appears the mini2 community is just as passionate as the elise owners

Lee

[Dshelton]

Quote:

Originally posted by redchilli
I decided to join the real world and buy a house with my girlfriend, so my previous car, a Lotus Elise S2 (pics here http://www.spamtastic.demon.co.uk/lotus-elise-s2/ ) had to go.
I sold it last month, and have a chili red cooper on order (due in october). Can't wait

Was really impressed with the mini's handling. I only went to test drive it as a bit of a laugh and ended up loving it. While it will never be in the same league as the elise performance or handling wise, i'm sure it will be just as much fun, and it appears the mini2 community is just as passionate as the elise owners

Lee

We all welcome u with open arms!!

Dan

[niall]

Nice Elise Redchilli

Something like that will do me next year
Although would prefer the Titanium Silver!

[acetonic]

I considered the Toyota Matrix, Mazda Protege'5, the Acura RSX and the Subaru WRX. The salesmen of these respective vehicles were desparate to get me into them and I could have gotten a good deal. I chose the MINI. Went to dealer, test drove, bought one on the spot. There were things I really liked about those other cars but none came anywhere close the the fun and style of the MINI.

[smurfy]

Since 1997 my next new car was going to be the Beetle. Had one as a kid, and planned to get Herbie II. I was planning for spring/summer 2002. I test drove the Beetle in March 2002 and liked the car.

Then on Friday April 12 at work in a conversation about cars with a couple of buddies, one mentioned, oh get a Mini. It triggered something in the back of my mind. I knew the old Mini from prior trips to Europe and vaguely remembered reading about them being sold in the future in the US.

So I checked the Mini out on the web. I was quite happy to see a dealer in the area. At lunch another coworker and I went to the dealer to see the Mini and loved them. I took all the literature and chatted with the salesperson. Thought about it all afternoon at work, not getting much done.

Saturday April 13 I go to the dealer for a test drive and place my deposit for the car. 12 weeks later I picked up my Mini.

I usually do a lot of research, planning, and thinking for big purchases. This is the first time I bought a car on a whim. I am pleased with myself for doing this and LOVE my Mini.

[redchilli]

Dshelton / niall, cheers folks. It was an awesome car and will be sorely missed !
Never mind, only about 8 weeks now till I get the cooper...

Lee

[MINImeat]

I have 3 kids and a wife so:
Subaru WRX Wagon (power,safety, handling)
Mazda Protege5 (handling, style)
Volkswagen GTI (handling, reliability)
Volkswagen Jetta Wagon (handling, reliability, space)
Honda Civic SI (handling, reliability)

The WRX was at the top of the list till I started reading about the MINI. Had to sell the wife on the space compromise (fortunately we have a Honda Odyssey van) and get her in one for a test drive.
Waiting for our MINI.......

[Dom]

Quote:

Originally posted by redchilli
I decided to join the real world and buy a house with my girlfriend, so my previous car, a Lotus Elise S2 (pics here http://www.spamtastic.demon.co.uk/lotus-elise-s2/ ) had to go.
I sold it last month, and have a chili red cooper on order (due in october). Can't wait

Was really impressed with the mini's handling. I only went to test drive it as a bit of a laugh and ended up loving it. While it will never be in the same league as the elise performance or handling wise, i'm sure it will be just as much fun, and it appears the mini2 community is just as passionate as the elise owners

Lee

Nice elise... bloody nice elise

Dom

[MINImeat]

BLOODY BEAUTIFUL ELISE!
MINImeat

[AntH]

I wasn't looking for a car. Went to the dealers to get my Brother-in-law out of his house so a surprise party could be organised. Had a great morning driving all 3 versions, took my wife back a week later, and ordered a Cooper (Chilli pack, 17"'s, etc!). Should get it at the start of October. Can't wait! Oh, I was planning on building a Westfield 'at some time' for some driving pleasure, but that has been (semi) permanently post-poned - the MINI is very nearly as much fun, has better steering (well, with SSP & 17" rims!) so why bother with all the problems posed by the Westfield?