If you have a mini (car)...

[happis]

What do you think of it!

I currently have an Audi TT which is costing me way too much monthly and isn't suitable any more for what I need.

Considering a mini but I don't know where to start! So, if you have one, what do you think?

Are they fun? Spacious enough? I'd love to know! 😌😌

I have a 8 year Mini Cooper S coupe and I love it. Sadly they don't make the coupe model anymore (it's a 2 seater and lower than a regular Mini) and mine was from the last month of production. Fabulous to drive but does seem to attract wankers in huge 4x4s who think they can bully me out of the way due to the size difference. 😡

My father has an Audi TT and although he likes the drive (he's a former garage owner and ex-rally driver so very picky about cars), he's had years of problems with failing electrics with the TT. It's been a bit of a nightmare. He tends to use his partner's JCW Countryman instead. His partner chose to have all the bells and whistles so there's neon lights everywhere (I hate it!) but it can certainly move. I prefer my coupe though.

Some posters have been recommending Asian cars over German saying that they're more reliable. Asian cars tend to be more focused on reliability and basic functionality whereas German cars usually prioritise performance (so are more complex hence can be more costly).

I luv my mini, it’s a mini one D
brilliant on diesel, on the motorway 70 to gallon
cruising at 70
its 3 door, I have sat in the back myself but I’m only 5-2” if front seat and pushed far back or driver is tall not much leg room in back
so so easy it park

Audi, BMW, Mercedes. Badges that basically say "I have no imagination so I have to drive what most other people do.".

Don't be a cock, dare to be different and stand out from the crowd! 😁

So, a Skoda? 😬

I loved my convertible so much but has to sell it as it doesn't fit baby gear and car seat too hard with three door car. If you're not having a baby soon then get a convertible x

Good cars. Or Cupra, Toyota, Lexus, Infiniti, Honda or Genesis to name a few others that are even better.

I have a BMW 5 series but when it went for a service recently I had a clubman as a loan car. It was better than I thought it would be, very nippy, great handling, roared in sports mode, felt good quality. I need a big car for dogs but if I went little I’d definitely consider one.

As for those talking up Kia’s, I had one and it was literally the worst car I’ve ever owned. Absolutely horrendous. Drove like a pig to the point even as a petrol head I’d rather walk. I guess if you favour reliability over performance then it’s maybe for you, but my Kia was in no way more reliable than our successive BMWs, we’ve had my husband’s BMW for ten years and it only ever has wear and tear stuff done and it’s at 170k mileage. Drove it today and despite the mileage and the fact it’s sixteen years old it’s still amazing to drive. I imagine Minis will be similar.

Asian cars tend to be more focused on reliability and basic functionality whereas German cars usually prioritise performance (so are more complex hence can be more costly).

The vast majority of German cars sold are poverty spec shitters. The halo cars are great, the majority of the others are just unreliable turds whose owners would actually be better served by something from the Far East, the idiots who think their 320d M-Sport is some kind of weapon.

I’ve had two and loved them. Both convertible Cooper S. Great cars. I have test driven the TT and liked it too but just preferred the Minis. Fun to drive, bigger inside than you expect, comfortable, cool AF looking… Don’t have one now as I have two dogs and needed something bigger.

I love mine so much. It’s a copper convertible.

HOWEVER, it’s our second car. It’s our nipping car. We can’t do anything substantial in it. Teens and mates in the back are behind a squeeze (and I’m 5ft 1 so our family isn’t a big one) and a weeks food shop is like Tetris.

But the bigger versions are meant to be great space wise!

On my 3rd mini - had the Clubman/Huntsman & Cooper Sports. Love them - spacious enough for rear passengers/drive regularly from one end of the country to the other, with loads of luggage/babyseat etc

I wanted one years ago and went for the Fiat 500 instead.
now I’ve got an electric mini and of all the cars I’ve owned (and it’s a lot over the years) it’s my absolute favourite.
its essentially a one pedal go kart, enormous fun. Even DH who was quite sceptical loves driving it and often borrowed it for work over his own😂

My mum had a mini and I hated driving it but I know other people who love them and wouldn't have anything else.

I'd test drive and see what you think. I thought the vision was really poor which is part of the reason I wasn't keen

I have a 4 door Cooper hatch. It's my dream car! The boot even fits my labrador comfortably.

Not that you need any more positive reviews but here you go!!. I swapped my A class for a 5 door mini cooper S, automatic with pan roof and I LOVE IT... 100% the most fun car ive ever driven. However, its only ever me in it, for holidays or trips to Ikea, or longer journeys etc we have a BMW 330e estate 🙈

The only thing I dislike about my 3dr Cooper SD is trying to get out of the back seat whilst parked upwards on a hill. You kind of have to cup yourself around the front seat and come out at an awkward angle unless you are very small.

I don't sit in the back often though, as its mine and I love driving it. Had an engine management light issue that stubbornly refused to be fixed so had it remapped and oh my days it flies like the wind now 🤣 the guy at the garage told me to be careful when I picked it up 😎

They look great and they drive like go karts. Try it, you might like it!

Had an engine management light issue that stubbornly refused to be fixed so had it remapped and oh my days it flies like the wind now 🤣 the guy at the garage told me to be careful when I picked it up

How cringeworthy, “be careful” in a diesel MINI lol.

Love mine! Had it for about 2 years now and it's super reliable. We had the 5 door one and they are actually quite spacious. Good enough boot space but obviously not huge.

Really nippy and so fun to drive!

He had a point to be fair as they upped the BHP to 220 🙂

It really flies now

they upped the BHP to 220

My point exactly. Hardly quick.

It's a tiny car
It's fast
You don't have to believe it lol

It's a tiny car
It's fast
You don't have to believe it lol

I don’t need to believe it, I know exactly what the performance is like. Fast it isn’t.

I think it depends on the definition of fast and what you're comparing it to. Mini Ones aren't fast. But a Mini Cooper S / JCW can definitely shift, especially for their size. The earlier newer models tend to be faster as the most recent models are bigger and heavier.

I love love love my mini. I pick up 4 teenagers regularly (ones I know, not random children!) and they're a bit squashed in the back but they don't go far. I can fit a hockey goalkeepers bag in the boot and I love how easily the seats can go down for tip trips.

As others have said, it's probably not a main family car for holidays etc but it is so fun to drive and very reliable.

My only problem is that I've arthritis so eventually I'll need to change to a higher car. That'll be a sad day.

Completely disagree with this.
I've a 20 year old Cooper S that is still a dream to drive, solid steering, no play in the gear stick and looks like it's only a few years old.
Also drove a new Countryman for the last 4 years and the build quality feels just as good.