Which Mini should i get?

[DIKateFleming]

I’m thinking about getting a Mini, likely to be up to about 2 years old, budget roughly around £17k. I can’t decide between a 5 door, a Countryman or the convertible. I really want the convertible, but I don’t know what they’re like in the middle of winter, are they drafty and do they leak?

The 5 door or countryman might be more sensible. I live rurally, but it’s flat. Most journeys are to work, or into town with DD (no need for a car seat), sometimes i have to take a couple of her friends. DH has a big car so I don’t need too much space. What I’d really like to do is go and sit in them all and take them for a test drive, but not sure that’s allowed at the moment. Any advice very welcome

For £17k, I'd be buying reliability in something Japanese and not a Mini of any kind.

Utterly rubbish cars from the ground up, thanks in no small part to their owner - BMW, who are equally shite.

You can get a decent car for £17k!

To be honest, I’ve had boring family cars for the last 14 years, I’m in the position where i can have something more fun. Ideally I want an MX-5, but a 2 seater means i can’t take DD’s friends out as well. Also been looking at the TT, as it as a small back seat but seems to be out of budget.

I’ve no desire to get a Sportage/ Quashquai/ focus etc, I’ve done that and now I want something more fun. Friends who have minis like them. I saw on a recent thread a couple of people saying they’ve just bought the convertible and wondered how they were finding them

One with Union Jack lights. I love them! I'm shallow.

I had a mini convertible for a couple of years and it was a really fun car. I could squeeze 2 small children in the back for short drives if needed. The boot space was small but slightly larger than I thought. After years of sensible family cars - I really enjoyed my ‘fun car’. It also held its value quite well when I sold it. Go for it- life is too short to be sensible all the time!

I've had a standard mini and now have a countryman.

The standard mini drove really well and it was a lovely car, so if you don't need much space it would be fine. I found it a bit too restrictive on space as I regularly need to carry quite a lot of stuff for work, and found it just wouldn't fit.

I upgraded to the countryman as I still loved the styling and other cars seemed so boring in comparison. Finally got the right car with a countryman CooperS, I love it! I have a 13 plate and it has been totally reliable for the two years I've owned it.

I’m in the position where i can have something more fun

And you think a Mini is the answer??

Bizarre.

Personally I'd be investing that £17k in a Civic Type-R.

Sporty, REAL fun and spacious. All the things a Mini isn't.

Suspect though you have your mind/heart etc set on the Mini so a CTR probably isnt going to make your shortlist....

I had a mini cooper and absolutely loved it but recently changed to a countryman and love it even more, massive boot, loads of technology in it and 5 doors so easier with the kids

@user1468766051 what was the convertible like in rubbish weather? My biggest concern with it is that it’ll be drafty or leak in the middle of winter (or even the rainy August we have at the moment)

@FartingInTheFence. All suggestions welcome, I’ve had a look at the Type R following your suggestion, probably a bit too hot hatch/ boy racer for me. Having a quick look at the Golf GTI on autotrader as well

I could get a 4-5 year old TT, given i keep cars about 5 years, would be getting on when i sold

I’ve got a two seat mini roadster convertible. It is, without a doubt , THE BEST thing I have EVER bought. I love everything about it. It’s warm and cosy in winter with lovely heated seats, ( and no draught!) And the most fun in the summer with the top down. It’s so completely brilliant!!!

Anything from the VW-group is a disaster waiting to happen given how unreliable and overrated they are.

If a CTR is too boy-racer for you, then how about a Toyota GT-86?

Put it this way, if that £17k was mine, no way would I be ploughing a penny of it into ANYTHING German, French, Italian, Nissan or American.

Japanese or Korean all the way.

I bought my mini new - and never had any problems With the roof leaking in the rain or through the winter- it has a good heating system and warmed up really quickly- not sure if an older car might develop leaks.
I loved the ‘ambient lighting’ - inside as well as being able to buy some union flag decals for the side mirrors and number plates.
I only kept mine for 2 years but it felt like a breath of fun after 12 years of a sensible ‘mum car’.

@FartingInTheFence I like the Toyota, don’t seem to be many for sale, but it’s on the list

@user1468766051 thanks good to know, I’m only looking up to a couple of years old so hopefully still in good condition

A red one with a Union Jack on the roof.
Obviously.
(Sorry I knoe zilch about cars as in what's better and what's not)

I like the Toyota, don’t seem to be many for sale, but it’s on the list

Its because they are darn good cars - and owners dont often let them go.

Very similar to Honda S2000s or Accord Type-R's - both as rare as hens teeth....

I’ve had a standard mini, the clubman (18) for a hire car and now have a convertible older than what you would be looking for (04/06) however I really miss the standard mini! The convertible has it’s perks but I find the soft top effort to keep looking nice, and the visibility in the older models is poor due to the small back screen and soft top and roll cage. However the roof doesn’t leak as your concerned but if you should open the window when driving in the rain be prepared for a soaking wet leg! However again...I would hope with the newer models these small peeves have been rectified and overall I’ve loved both my minis and I’m even thinking for a third one but a hard top or standard and definitely with the Union Jack brake lights! 😁

Also worth noting whatever MINI variant you look at is that you have to get the JCW version for adequate performance. As the PP said though the CTR is the only thing I’d consider at £17k. It’s an absolute bargain.

Have had two Mini Convertibles. Loved them. No issues with reliability, or leaks or drafts, with either. View out the back is limited so parking can be fun, but easy enough with practice - like any car. No issues with headroom either - my partner at the time was six foot with no problems. Would defo have another one.

Im not convinced a mini is the best fun car for £17k but I would rather own that than a Civic type R chavmobile.

For alternative leftfield suggestions perhaps look at a Lexus IS convertable. Very well built and rear wheel drive. At that price point it will be older than the mini but probably still last longer.

Ultimately get what makes you happy. If its not a car thats technically as good as its rivals then it doesnt really matter.

Im not convinced a mini is the best fun car for £17k but I would rather own that than a Civic type R chavmobile

Spoken like a true bellend.

Yet to see a Chav with £17k let alone a CTR..... 🤦‍♂️🤷‍♂️

I’ve driven a Cooper S a few times and they are great fun to drive. I also had a Suzuki Swift Sport a few years ago which stuck to the road like glue. Really great car and very reliable but I started doing a lot of motorway miles so wanted something a bit more comfortable.

I’ve driven a Civic Type S which was very fast and great fun but they just look too ugly to every bring myself to buy one.

I’ve got an Audi A3 now which I absolutely love. Fast, comfortable, has all the toys and looks good.

I'd much prefer a Golf R/S3/civic type R for that money, however budget for a new exhaust for the type R, they sound like nothing from factory! It won't be 2 year old but any of those will be a much better and more reliable car. I had an R this time last year, sold it to get a 'banger' which was a 2011 mini Cooper SD, it was completely unreliable and needed something every month of at least £200 a time. I've recently part ex'd it for a polo gti 6C which is also great fun and is surprisingly roomy inside. If you still want the Mini I'd recommend at least a Cooper S or a JCW for maximum fun.

Hi OP, hopefully you'll still check into this message. I have a Mini convertible. It's FABULOUS!!! No regrets! The roof does not leak in the rain (or with piles of snow on top) and it's not freezing in winter. In fact, it heats up very quickly on a frosty morning. I've had pets / teenagers and garden centre purchases in the back seat and the boot is actually pretty decent for a convertible - think 3 good sized supermarket square long life bags - you know the type that fold out quite large. Hope that helps. You posted on the 19th August! Hopefully by now you're already driving around in one!!

Spoken like a true bellend.
- FartingInTheFence

Oh, the irony.

Thanks @Namaste6 good to hear the good review, especially in bad weather. With work, back to school etc, I’ve not been able to go and look, but I’ve got 2 appointments tomorrow, one with a main dealer and one with a local dealer. The joys of going to deal with car salesmen.

I know it’s not the greatest, sportiest car. But I’ve wanted a convertible as long as i can remember. This is very much my midlife crisis car. It would have been an MX5 or Boxster, but I need the 4 seats so i can share school run when i need to