Can I have Your Opinions On This Car Please

[florida sun]

I have been for the last month trying to decide what to have as my new company car, I thought I had set my heart on a new Astra.....However it is only Vic and I that use it, and my mum on occasions to take her around town. I used to have to travel thousands of miles each year and having a bigger car and comfort was very important to me, but since I have been in my new role, I no longer have to travel any further than 4 miles a day, so thought it would be a nice change to have a bit of a fun car instead.

I digress, anyway, Im now looking at the Mini Sidewalk Convertible. Couple of reasons for this, I live in a dead end quite narrow street so I always have to do 3 point turns between parked cars, quite hard in a large car, most of the houses in my street have 2 cars, so parking is a premium and this might get me into the smaller spaces nobody seems to be able to use, Its fairly low on the ommisons, saving me money on tax,easy for driving around the busy city centre and has a soft top, for fun in the sun So do any of you have a mini and if so what are your thoughts please, if you havent what do you think. Good or Bad!!!

I have had a quote, its well within my price range and Im having a test drive one for 5 days in a week or so, the car you see below will be exactly the same as what I will order if Im happy after the test drive.

Thanks Guys

 

[mandymouse]

Oh Sue, I love it

You lucky girl When I win the lottery I want a red or blue Mini Cooper with a Union Flag on the roof

Mandy

 

[Minniespal]

Not a fan of the Mini cars. I do, however, love the convertible.

It looks so nice Sue

 

[KayleeUK]

Gorgeous car hon!

 

[wilma-bride]

That looks lush Sue - go for it girl, if it's nice to drive, you will look so cool

 

[carolfoy]

I love, love, love it Sue, my first car was a mini, and they'll ALWAYS be cool it definately looks like a funky, girl about town car, well stylish!

 

[Nubbedy]

Certainly looks like a fab car, and meets all your requirements.

Go for it!

Sara.

 

[Spook]

That looks like one fun car. Be interested to see how your test drive works out

Jan

 

[wils]

Sounds like it would be ideal for your needs and it looks so cool!

Go for it!

 

[Goofyish]

According to What Car? - the rear visability is very bad, so if you need to do a lot of reversing that may be a problem.

 

[Cochise]

Sorry Sue but it is a BMW Cooper to me, no way a Mini.

Certainly not the 1400 (bored out) GT we cruised about in when i was in my late teens, how we stayed alive i dont know . I think they are over priced, you must be able to find a better price within the Japanese cars and their 2 seaters which are infinitely more reliable than German trash.

 

[emily1982]

I have a mini cooper, i got it last August and i love it! I've got the cooper with the chilli pack, it's black eyed purple with white roof and mirrors. Personally i love it, it's easy to drive (i've been driving 4 years) and compared to my last car (peugeot 306) it's a dream to park! I would say its a 'put your foot down car' good for open roads etc. I've had no problems with petrol consumption etc and they never lose their price tag...Also they are owned by BMW the engine is by chrisller (however you spell it). The only thing which took getting used to was the boot space, but i just drop a seat down if i have to. If you have any questions just ask.

 

[florida sun]

Hi Guys

Thank you all for your opinions, good or bad, thats just what I wanted to hear.

I like the look of it, it wont be covering vast amount of miles and I want something a bit different to what I currently have.

Tim, I read that as well in What Car, however I had a Megane soft top for three years and the visability with that was bad as well, but I did get use to it after a while, this model also comes with parking sensors which should help.

Rob, I dont have much experience with cars and Im going to be perfectly honest and tell you I know nothing about BMW or any Japenese version, what cars do you have in mind?? I know there is not an abundence of room in the Mini in the back, however it is a 4 seater albeit a bit snug, but I dont want a complete 2 seater only, so if you can suggest something similar, I am open to any suggestions, Cheers

Emily thats good to hear, thank you, I may ask you more once Ive had a test drive

The thing with lease cars is that there are loads of other cars that are the same retail value as this, however the lease price is much more expensive because they dont hold their value like these new Minis do, hence why this is well within my lease budget range. As an example I really fancied a Mazda 3 Sport and although cheaper than this Mini to buy, the lease monthly price was over £60 per month more which would mean going over my budget and me actually having to pay towards it every month which I would like to avoid.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts

 

[emily1982]

Sue i only use mine really work and back, oh and Merry hill and back and it's fab! Also it is actually quite spacey in the back, my dad who is about 5'9 fits in fine!

 

[Cochise]

Sue,

Look round, you must have time and cash on your side so visit dealers of all walks of life. Japanese cars reliability these days is just off the scale compared to other parts of the world, Hondas/Nissan/Mazda may be considered boring to some but i rather have a slightly more mundane car compared to spending cash in a dealers to fix one.

 

[florida sun]

Has the Mini had some relabilty issues?? Its a company car, so even if things go wrong I dont pay, the lease company does, however thats not the point, I dont want to be in the garage all the time either.

I always thought BMW was a realiable make.

I dont think some of the other cars you mention Rob are mundane or boring Rob, as I said I really fancied the Mazda 3 sports, however its not within my budget this time.

Well I will give this Mini a test drive and see what I think, then I'll let you all know the outcome, thanks all for your help

 

[jen_uk]

OMG that car is so cool! I know nothing about it so all I can say really is that you will look very cool and sexy driving that around town!

 

[Tron[ADS]]

I like them....

A couple of my friends have them, and they feel solid and well built.

And, its not French, which is the most important thing for me in choosing a new car.

I do like Japanese cars myself, like Rob....I quite like the looks of the new Suzuki SX4.

 

[gilld]

If it's a convertible you're after, my car is a Volvo C70 and I absolutely love it. The folding hard-top is great and less noisy than a soft-top, and it is a good solid car.

 

[denisek]

I'm on my second Mini and I love them - I know it's a matter of personal preference but my first two cars were the old style Mini and I swore after those I would NEVER buy another one, there was always something going wrong with them and at that young age, I just couldn't afford to keep paying out!

Three years ago when we decided to change from Ford, DH suggested the new Mini and at first I really wasn't keen but we went for a test drive and ever since then I've been hooked Started off with a Mini One, but now have black Mini Cooper with the Chilli pack - was able to upgrade earlier than expected due to the value of the One. I was toying with the idea of a convertible, but in the end decided I'd feel too self conscious and probably wouldn't take full advantage of the soft top. That said, I haven't ruled it out for my next one....................

Denise