[snorkel]

Hello all.

I'm looking for some advice here. I currently own a 99 VW Jetta GLS, but I'm drooling all over the new Minis. I've been running the numbers and weighing the options and it looks like I could trade in my VW for a nifty new Cooper and -much to my surprise- possibly lower my monthly payments by a few bucks in the process. Thing is, there is absolutely nothing wrong with my pretty silver Jetta, and if I hold off 14 months I'll have it completely paid for.

So I'll ask you good folk, should I wait or should I buy?

Are there any teething issues that the new MINIs are having that would make holding off a year or so a good idea? I've read that several people are having problems with the windshield cracking very easily. Is this a serious concern? Anything more significant consistently going wrong with these very cool vehicles?

What about the CVT? To be completely honest, I don't know how to drive a manual transmission, and have only EVER been behind an automatic. Would driving the CVT in standard "D" mode be like driving any other automatic to me, or would my lack of manual transmission knowledge put me at risk of doing something very stupid and bad to my new Cooper?

Oh, and a very silly question, Does the sunroof retract like a moon roof completely opening up the roof of the car, or does it only pop up like a traditional sunroof? I can't really tell how it works from the internet pictures that I've found, and I haven't seen a MINI with the sunroof in real life yet.

Any other tips would be very much appreciated. I actually started off today looking for some good reasons not to buy a MINI, but after searching these forums as well as USENET, I now want one more than ever.

Thanks,

-snorkel

[AidenL]

Hi and welcome to MINI2 !

I actually dont know much about the CVT myself, but there are numerous threads here discussing it, if you use the search facility.

The sunroof tilts, and slides back over the outside of the roof. Only the front part though, the rear opening is fixed !

[SugarBelly]

snorkel, - that is, if you have no use for 2 vehicles.

With the next generation, new Jetta arriving for '04, I'd probably sell it now, before word really hits the street about a new design coming.

You have time to be patient with an ad & there may be '03 Coopers going for less than MSRP at the end of this summer. You'll be in great shape with a "pretty silver" one, as they're more desirable than all the other Jetta colors.

For fun research, drive into a MINI dealership & see what they'll offer you. I'm guessing if it's worth $12k they'll offer $8500, - they always try & come at you with some G.damn ridiculous number while attempting to keep a straight face as long as possible.

Further, if the Coopers aren't moving as well as the Ss, you may actually be offered more for your trade to go with a MC. You might want to play them on that note, - meaning, initially tell them you're unsure whether it's going to be a MCS or MC. Definitely tell them you're looking to lease,- even if you're going to buy it. Dealerships pocket much more side money with leases & thus may be willing to offer a little more on your trade if they believe that's your aim. [Change your mind later if you want, your offer will still be good.]

The absolute best thing to do would be to learn to drive a manual transmission in the meantime, allowing you to go with the rarer, coveted MCS. Right?

Are you ever going to learn to drive a stick? Entire nations do it, fools like me do it , - so can you! It's well worth it regarding the MC :: MCS difference.

Residual factors will be much stronger for several reasons, but most importantly, - if there is ever a time to learn....
a brilliant reason to learn....
OR
a more beneficial driving experience of control because you did learn, - this would be that time!

Besides, you know "the best thing to do" is keep your nearly paid-off Jetta until it can run no more. But if you remain conservative & wait another 10 years for that day, well, - your heart just isn't going to have aged the same without a MINI.

[b]The window cracks is not something I drive around worrying about.

The CVT will treat very well, in that it will easily allow you to modulate between gears, - if you wish. Otherwise, its plug-n-play much like an automatic. The CVT is simply adding versatility.

The Pana-sun opens completely above the driver & front passenger, double shielding the rear passenger compartment's sun roof in the process.

-sb