Actually took delivery of the MINI in November, but the weather's been so grimy this winter that I haven't had a chance to get good
clean photo of him yet!
We'd considered a lot of cars before this--a quick rundown:
- Honda Civic (couldn't deal with the dash)
- Honda Fit ("tin can-ish")
- Saturn Astra (resale)
- Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Matrix (driving wasn't enjoyable)
- Subaru Impreza (fuel economy too high)
Also considered a few CUVs, but determined that we didn't need one for a vehicle that'd primarily be carrying only one or two occupants, and, well, in urban environments, AWD, while nice, is not necessary.
It's a 2008 model year MINI Cooper. 1.6L BMW/PSA I4 with a wonderfully slick 6-speed transmission. Picked it off the lot with Premium Package (panoramic sunroof, steering wheel controls, auto-dimming mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, and a few other things), Bluetooth/USB/iPod integration, Cold Weather Package (heated seats, wipers, windshield jets, mirrors), and "Chrome Line" trim inside and out. And bonnet stripes.
Came to $27,000, roughly, after taxes and $1,000 federal tax rebate.
Like most MINI buyers, fell in love with the MINI after test-driving a used MINI on the Honda lot. While that one was tempting, the price was too high for a four-year-old vehicle ($20,000... crazy residual value!). Looking at new ones, we decided the price was too high for what it offers, but... we were hooked. We kept comparing cars after that to the MINI.
Driving ImpressionsGreat car to drive around town. Parking is a cinch. Actually, it's a great car to drive... period. It's fun to throw around through the twisties, and while it doesn't have the power that the S does, the chassis is still there and the 116 hp is more than adequate. The 6-speed transmission is slick and is a joy to row through, with light clutch action and relatively short throws. Ride is suprisingly refined for such a short wheelbase, and it feels planted on the highway. Bumps are... certainly felt, though, but not to an unacceptable level. I have a feeling this is partly due to the heavy runflat tires.
Road noise is there, but is dampened and doesn't roar, and there's surprisingly little wind noise at highway speeds. The engine is wonderful to listen to--BMW knows that, so the engine makes itself heard inside. It's never buzzy, though, thanks to the 6-speed.
Snowy wintery weather was our original motive for considering CUVs (and the Matrix/Vibe), but the MINI did admirably in moderate snow (even with all seasons--winters were sold out by the time we took delivery). It's equipped with stability control (DSC) and traction control, which both go a long way to helping winter performance. The light weight of the MINI and maneuverability of it also helps.
ExteriorThe exterior of the MINI makes you smile. It's cute and has a sporty stance, with the wheels pushed right to the corners. This colour, called "Sparkling Silver", does an admirable job of hiding winter grime.
InteriorThe interior of the MINI is a very comfortable place for two adults. Plenty of headroom and legroom, and the seats offer the right amount of support. The steering wheel is tilt and telescope, so a comfortable driving position is easy to find. The wheel itself is small in radius, thick and chunky, and leather-wrapped--quite comfortable and it suits the car. If nobody's exceptionally tall (<6'), it can carry four passengers for a short jaunt with a decent amount of comfort. Three passengers on the short side is doable for a longer trip. With the rear seats up, trunk space is not much, but is sufficient for a week's groceries. With the seats down, you're able to fit a surprising amount of Swedish furniture in it!
Fit and finish is excellent, as are the quality of interior materials. The design is... definitely love-it-or-hate-it. The center speedometer is "just for looks", but there's a digital one in the steering column tachometer which is more practical. Switches aren't the most intuitive, but were second nature by the second week. I have to say, though, that the toggle switches certainly look great (and feel great, too)! Oh, did I mention it's got user-selectable mood lighting?
Audio system is decent, with USB, aux-in, and iPod connectivity. The Bluetooth integration is well implemented--has not dropped a connection and automatically downloaded my contacts. Sound quality is good, but not fantastic, with the standard six-speaker system.
The panoramic sunroof is a wonderful feature. Haven't had the chance to do it yet, but last fall, on a test drive with the sunroof open and the windows down... it's the closest thing to top-down motoring you can get without getting a drop-top.
Cost of OwnershipPricing was significantly above cars in its size class, but really, the MINI can't be compared to cars like the Fit. The Fit is much more practical! The MINI's price is partly due to the exchange rate, but with the MINI you get a much more involved drive, an interior that couldn't be described as "economy", and... well, to be honest, part of the price is for the MINI brand. But if you love the car, that probably won't bother you. Service costs are what's to be expected from a BMW car, but not outrageous a la Mercedes. Reliability will remain to be seen, but Consumer Reports ranks it as "above average", and in general, Cooper models tend to be more reliable than their S brethren.
The Cooper is a fuel miser. I love that I can drive very spiritedly and still get 7.5L/100km in the city... I'd like to see what it's highway consumption is! Premium is recommended, but regular is acceptable (read: not warranty-voiding), but we fill with Premium anyways.
Insurance was the same as a 2008 Civic. The $1000 tax rebate was a bonus, though. Also, we're not sure whether we'll be keeping this car for more than four years, so the MINI's strong residual values were a major draw.
NegativesWell... We'll get rid of the runflats as soon as they wear out. The increased unsprung weight is felt over potholes, and so are the stiff sidewalls. On the Cooper, there's space underneath the boot for a donut spare, anyways. The windshield is fairly upright, so I have to lean forward to see certain traffic lights. I wish the window switches were on the door and not in the center console. The rear gets dirty very quickly (though I understand most hatches are the same). Hmm... I know there were a couple other niggles, so I'll add them as I recall them.
SummaryThis isn't an economy car. It's too expensive and not practical enough. However, what the MINI lacks in practicality, it more than makes up for with character. It's incredibly fun to drive, stylish, comfortable, well built, and did I say it's fun to drive? And it does that all with excellent fuel economy. For a secondary car, or for a single or couple without kids older than, say, 7 or 8, the MINI would be a fitting choice.
PicturesExcuse the suburban backdrop... I had to grab these pictures while he was clean!
Can't wait to get some more driving in over the Spring/Summer!
