Topic: R.I.P. MINI Cooper S..... Sept 22 2009-- Aug 31 2011

[sailor723]

Got the call this AM and the Mini is a write-off ($23,000+ in damage) . The good news 1.) Nobody hurt and 2.)  we have a depreciation waiver for 30 months that should see us get our full original purchase price.

So, we're car shopping again much sooner than expected. My wife is pretty sure she won't get another Cooper S....while she loved her Mini the combination of sports suspension, low profile RFT's, and horrible Saint John roads has gotten old. She's also not sure she will go for another convertible but if she does we're thinking maybe BMW 128i Cabrio (harsh ride and RFT's may be an issue here) or Lexus IS250C. If she goes the sedan route we're thinking of looking at various 3 series,C class,Audi A4 or the Lexus IS. Another thought might be a loaded up Maxima and redo the family room with the extra $ ...strangely enough one of her hot spots is a heated steering wheel and that's something the Maxima has.

Having said all that anything might happen and who knows where she may land....it should be interesting 

[airbalancer]

The good news 1.) Nobody hurt and 2.)  we have a depreciation waiver for 30 months that should see us get our full original purchase price.
 

[TopGun]

Good call on the depreciation waiver.

The Maxima is an interesting choice.

[The Mighty Duck]

Another thought might be a loaded up Maxima and redo the family room with the extra $

What about a CPO BMW/Audi/etc. and redo the living room?

[CanuckG35]

Bad news, but with the depreciation waiver very good news.  Does your wife really prefer to have another vert, or is it not a major requirement?

[Julie]

The good news 1.) Nobody hurt and 2.)  we have a depreciation waiver for 30 months that should see us get our full original purchase price.
 

+ 1

psst, I love the heated steering wheel and seats on my 3-series.   

[mmret]

SLK350.

[Railton]

G37
Railton

[sailor723]

G37
Railton

Interesting...The Infiniti would be a stronger contender if the closest dealership wasn't 400+ kms away

[sailor723]

Bad news, but with the depreciation waiver very good news.  Does your wife really prefer to have another vert, or is it not a major requirement?

She's kind of waffling on the convertible thing. I'm guessing it's not the "must have" it once was.

[CanuckG35]

G37
Railton

Interesting...The Infiniti would be a stronger contender if the closest dealership wasn't 400+ kms away

FWIW, I've had all of the maintenance done on my G at our Nissan dealership in Saint John.  I've only had two warrantied items required over two G35s since 2003, but they were both done in Saint John as well.  Never had to take my G to O'Regans for anything. 

[airbalancer]

G37
Railton

Interesting...The Infiniti would be a stronger contender if the closest dealership wasn't 400+ kms away

FWIW, I've had all of the maintenance done on my G at our Nissan dealership in Saint John.  I've only had two warrantied items required over two G35s since 2003, but they were both done in Saint John as well.  Never had to take my G to O'Regans for anything. 

Local Nissan dealer also sell a number of Infinitis around  here

[initial_D]

CPO 3-er Convertible hardtop.

[Snowman]

G37
Railton

 

[sailor723]

Off to Moncton to drive a '11 328ix (Executive Pkg with Dakota leather tomorrow and then maybe Halifax for a look at an '11 Infiniti G37x (Premium and Hi-tech pkgs) on Thursday. The Insurance has come up with a number (basicly 98%+ of what we paid for the Cooper ) so we want to get the new car chosen fairly quickly. Still not sure about having a dealer 425 kms away but 328 hp is pretty tempting. Strangely enough, the big strike against the G as far as my wife is concerned is no heated steering wheel. The MB C class would appear to be out of the running at this point based on both lack of availablility and no really strong programs from MB Financial

[Julie]

Off to Moncton to drive a '11 328ix (Executive Pkg with Dakota leather tomorrow and then maybe Halifax for a look at an '11 Infiniti G37x (Premium and Hi-tech pkgs) on Thursday. The Insurance has come up with a number (basicly 98%+ of what we paid for the Cooper ) so we want to get the new car chosen fairly quickly. Still not sure about having a dealer 425 kms away but 328 hp is pretty tempting. Strangely enough, the big strike against the G as far as my wife is concerned is no heated steering wheel. The MB C class would appear to be out of the running at this point based on both lack of availablility and no really strong programs from MB Financial

Have fun, report back!  pros, cons, impressions....

[sailor723]

Just back from the BMW dealer. We drove the 328iX and a 128 Cabrio. My wife was quite taken with the 3 (Deep Sea Blue on Dakota saddle leather) The size and fit seemed good for her and she thought the power was OK. (I thought it was a little light but adding 10K for the 335 seems pretty steep for 72 hp). She had some initial reservations about the saddle brown seats but they seemed to grow on her during the day. With the Executive edition package the car seems to hit all the hot spots in terms of equipment.

 The 128 was fun (27 and sunny in Moncton today) but when it comes down to it I think she may be ready for more of a year 'round "real" car with a trunk and a usable back seat. Also,the 128's were 2012's so the deals weren't as good as the '11 328's...that actually kind of surprised me. I would have thought they'd be motivated to move the convertibles before we start to think about snow

The plan right now is to go to Halifax to drive the G37x on Thursday but she's kind of waffling on wether to go or not. I must say I sort of agree in some ways....an 850 km round trip seems bit much to test drive a car. On the other hand that 328 hp VQ is tempting and the price is competitive with the 328

You know,if Infiniti wants to be taken seriously as a national car company they really should have more than 1 store for all of the Maritimes.

[CanuckG35]

Just back from the BMW dealer. We drove the 328iX and a 128 Cabrio. My wife was quite taken with the 3 (Deep Sea Blue on Dakota saddle leather) The size and fit seemed good for her and she thought the power was OK. (I thought it was a little light but adding 10K for the 335 seems pretty steep for 72 hp). She had some initial reservations about the saddle brown seats but they seemed to grow on her during the day. With the Executive edition package the car seems to hit all the hot spots in terms of equipment.

 The 128 was fun (27 and sunny in Moncton today) but when it comes down to it I think she may be ready for more of a year 'round "real" car with a trunk and a usable back seat. Also,the 128's were 2012's so the deals weren't as good as the '11 328's...that actually kind of surprised me. I would have thought they'd be motivated to move the convertibles before we start to think about snow

The plan right now is to go to Halifax to drive the G37x on Thursday but she's kind of waffling on wether to go or not. I must say I sort of agree in some ways....an 850 km round trip seems bit much to test drive a car. On the other hand that 328 hp VQ is tempting and the price is competitive with the 328

You know,if Infiniti wants to be taken seriously as a national car company they really should have more than 1 store for all of the Maritimes.

Most definitely go to Halifax and test drive the G if you are considering a 328.  I don't think you would regret it at all.  While it does kinda suck that there is only one Infiniti dealership for all of Atlantic Canada, don't let that sway you.  All of your service can be done at Saint John Nissan.  And of the two warrantied items I've needed done over 3 Infiniti's since 2003, the local Nissan shop took care of them as well.  O'Regans is a standup dealership and I would recommend them to anyone.  If you do head down there, ask to speak to Mike Botchett, who is the Sales Manager there.  Great guy to deal with. 

[CanuckG35]

Thanks for the advice Shane...I was dealing with Doug Botchett when I was in on Friday (Mike's dad I think).....seemed like a good guy. I think she should at least go and have a look but we'll see.

Yep, Doug is Mike's Father.  I haven't dealt as much with Doug, but his son is definitely a stand up guy.  Good luck and keep us posted on how you make out Greame!

[rrocket]

Just back from the BMW dealer. We drove the 328iX and a 128 Cabrio. My wife was quite taken with the 3 (Deep Sea Blue on Dakota saddle leather) The size and fit seemed good for her and she thought the power was OK. (I thought it was a little light but adding 10K for the 335 seems pretty steep for 72 hp). She had some initial reservations about the saddle brown seats but they seemed to grow on her during the day. With the Executive edition package the car seems to hit all the hot spots in terms of equipment.

 The 128 was fun (27 and sunny in Moncton today) but when it comes down to it I think she may be ready for more of a year 'round "real" car with a trunk and a usable back seat. Also,the 128's were 2012's so the deals weren't as good as the '11 328's...that actually kind of surprised me. I would have thought they'd be motivated to move the convertibles before we start to think about snow

The plan right now is to go to Halifax to drive the G37x on Thursday but she's kind of waffling on wether to go or not. I must say I sort of agree in some ways....an 850 km round trip seems bit much to test drive a car. On the other hand that 328 hp VQ is tempting and the price is competitive with the 328

You know,if Infiniti wants to be taken seriously as a national car company they really should have more than 1 store for all of the Maritimes.

Any interest in an IS250/350??  Loved my IS350.  Fantastic engine!