Does anybody drive a Mini?

[PremierLynn]

Would you recommend one?
I've never driven one, and only ever sat inside one once.
I'd obviously test drive one before purchasing, but just want opinions beforehand. TIA

It’s not a soft drive!

I’ve got a Mini Countryman All4 - bloody love it. Fab in ice and snow (live rurally so no grit and hills) really holds the road and is great to drive. Plan to keep it till it dies.

I have had 5 Minis. 1st ever car was a red Mini (bought in 1979 think it was about 10 years old)) now currently driving a red 2006 Mini One. I like Minis

Ok, so Mini One or Mini Cooper?
Can anyone highlight the differences? Thanks

First car was a mini, few years old, loved it! Then I sold and got a bigger car BMW X3 and then I got rid of my BMW to go back to a mini, I bought a new one that time and loved it...

Got rid of it for an upgrade to a new Range Rover but I actually still miss my mini.

LOVE them... so cute and stylish!

I've got 2007 mini convertible, had it 3 years, I love it! it is like driving a go kart it's so much fun to drive and I take the top down at the first sight of sunshine.

it's not a main car though, I wouldn't dive long distances in it and Suspension is very hard. But but but.... it really is so much fun to drive

I wouldn't buy a newer model though as they are way to big and chunky and have nothing in common with the original mini. mini's use to be just that mini

I've just sold my Mini Cooper S after 3 years. I absolutely adored it, and had planned on keeping it but after suddenly developing an inflammatory condition, I was struggling to get in and out of it as it's very low to the ground. It was also a bit snug with two spaniels on the back seat.

We added quite a few extras like the LED headlights, heated seats and the JCW steering and went for the semi automatic. It was such fun to drive, and very powerful but the downside to that was the rock hard suspension. So for that reason alone, I would say go for a Cooper and not the Cooper S. There is a huge difference so make sure you test drive the one you're going to get.

If I put one back seat down I can get a pushchair in the space from the boot forward.

I will shortly be picking up my next mini. So that will be 2 mini ones. I absolutely love them!

They are quite spacious for small cars and really nippy. I just love the look of them. They are expensive for small cars but are ideal for me as I live in a city.

I love my mini!! I'm on my third.

DH loves it too.

Usually the cooper has a more powerful engine than the one. Only get petrol. Minis really hold their value when selling on. Always get the mini service and MOT. My last mini even had mini tyres. She was 14 years old and still worth £2k.

My mini convertible has 1600cc engine. A lot of power in a small car

Mine is a 13 year old Cooper, with 140,000 miles on the clock, just sailed through it's MOT. Love driving it. About to get a lease car with my new job, I'm almost disappointed!

I have a mini countryman and love it. It's very nippy, very roomy, comfy leather seats, looks good!

I have a Mini Countryman plug in hybrid and it is fantastic. Cannot recommend it enough. The only time I will change it is when I can get a fully electric equivalent.

@PremierLynn

Ok, so Mini One or Mini Cooper? Can anyone highlight the differences? Thanks

It’s a spec level. One is the basic, entry-level one and Cooper is the next one up. So the differences are in equipment and things like colour options and wheels. Engines are the same I think. Cooper S is the hot hatch version, that has a more powerful engine.

I had one for 5 years and loved it! I only changed because I needed an estate car (Cub Scout Leader and parent of a sailor and hockey goalkeeper, all requiring large amounts of kit).

It was very responsive, drove well, was reliable, and got heads turning frequently. I was very sad to say goodbye for practicality. And while I mostly did short local driving, I took it on trips to visit DPs 2.5 hours away a number of times and it was great on motorway etc.

Mum had a 2009 plate one which was lovely to drive, really comfortable, nippy, light on fuel. She traded it in for a 64 plate model and it was shocking, I couldn't get a comfortable driving position and could barely reach the pedals - had to have the seat as far forward as possible and my chin was practically on the steering wheel. It's a petrol car and when it starts up it sounds like a bus, it's sluggish and just isn't as nice to drive.

Have a countryman. It’s amazing

@Sunflowergirl1

I wanted one as I fancied being a little trendy. DH said there are utter shite but humoured me so I had a test drive. I have to admit he was right.

Drove a VW after...lovely car so that's what I have

I’ve had minis in the past, so thought I’d like a Countryman. I test drove two separate ones to make sure my instincts were right. Yes drove like the minis I’d had, but so cramped, noisy and lacking in refinement. Not great reviews either. I bought a VW T Cross, fab car, spacious without being cumbersome, economical on fuel and one of the best cars for safety features.

@user1471538283 why only petrol?
Nowt wrong with the second hand diesel I drive. 1.5 engine and is pretty torquey.

I’ve had my mini copper s 7 years and I love it!

Have had 2,use exclusively for city driving and lovethem
We have a big estate for motorway driving and ferrying the kids about

I liked my Cooper S convertible, until I sat in the back of it. So cramped. I liked the Countryman S too,but things went wrong with it too much and it was a hard ride.

I prefer comfort and good lumbar support now and ease of getting in and out.

I have a 20 plate Mini Cooper 5 door. I got it a few months ago. I really like it. It’s nippy and fun to drive, the infotainment system is excellent. But, I have always wanted a mini and a went into it knowing I was paying a lot for a small car (with a stupidly small boot even in the 5 door version) and that upkeep / maintenance will probably be disproportionately expensive.