Did "The Italian Job" make you want a Mini Cooper?
Jul 31st, 2006, 08:10 AM
#21
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Does anyone here read Consumer Reports? The Mini Cooper doesn't get raves for its repair history. I'm infatuated with its appearance, but as a single woman on the highway a lot, I need to be able to count on it.
I'm waiting to see what kind of ratings the Honda Fit receives. I understand that it has been available in Europe as the Honda Jazz, so I'm wondering if some of you folks might like to give me some input? I drive an '86 Honda Civic Hatchback which still gets 42 mpg.
Thanks all, J. (p.s. Love the Smart Cars, but I don't know about interstate commutes. Alas. )
I'm waiting to see what kind of ratings the Honda Fit receives. I understand that it has been available in Europe as the Honda Jazz, so I'm wondering if some of you folks might like to give me some input? I drive an '86 Honda Civic Hatchback which still gets 42 mpg.
Thanks all, J. (p.s. Love the Smart Cars, but I don't know about interstate commutes. Alas. )
Jul 31st, 2006, 08:19 AM
#23
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Melissa-
I know what you mean - after I saw the movie I fantasized about zipping around in a Mini Cooper, pulling off all those really tight maneuvers on the road. Not to mention thinking how great such a small car would be in some of the crappy parking garages we've got in town.
A friend of mine has one and loves it.
I know what you mean - after I saw the movie I fantasized about zipping around in a Mini Cooper, pulling off all those really tight maneuvers on the road. Not to mention thinking how great such a small car would be in some of the crappy parking garages we've got in town.
A friend of mine has one and loves it.
Jul 31st, 2006, 08:31 AM
#24
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Hi Melissa of Hawaii,
I have ALWAYS loved little cars of any kind, especially the mini-cooper when it came along. Two years ago a friend of ours got one and she loves it.
The only problem is that in my area (Minnesota) so many people have large trucks, SUV's, Hummers, etc, because of the snow we get that I am a bit afraid that I would be munched in one bite if they ever hit me while I was dirivng a mini.
I have often wished that people in my area drove smaller cars, just some much better for SO many reasons that you can guess.
Perhaps they will one day. And maybe I'll get my mini anyway!
Have a good day, get your mini, they are very reliable cars, my friend loves hers and has never had a problem, Tiff
I have ALWAYS loved little cars of any kind, especially the mini-cooper when it came along. Two years ago a friend of ours got one and she loves it.
The only problem is that in my area (Minnesota) so many people have large trucks, SUV's, Hummers, etc, because of the snow we get that I am a bit afraid that I would be munched in one bite if they ever hit me while I was dirivng a mini.
I have often wished that people in my area drove smaller cars, just some much better for SO many reasons that you can guess.
Perhaps they will one day. And maybe I'll get my mini anyway!
Have a good day, get your mini, they are very reliable cars, my friend loves hers and has never had a problem, Tiff
Jul 31st, 2006, 08:36 AM
#26
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Thanks for your responses! Just to clarify, I have driven the same Corolla for almost 16 years now, and people have always told me that's the most reliable car. I do love driving problem-free! so yes, minis and corollas are like apples and oranges, which is why I raised the question. I just...somehow I feel like a Mini is like the handsome bad boy you want to DATE, while the corolla is the reliable guy you marry. SURELY it's possible to successfully marry the handsome bad boy?!
Chepar--YES--you know how hard it is to get a darn parking space in town!!!
Chepar--YES--you know how hard it is to get a darn parking space in town!!!
Jul 31st, 2006, 08:37 AM
#27
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Tiff, yes you are so right - a Mini is no match for an SUV in an accident; I saw one recently that had been hit by a Dodge Durango, I doubt anyone in the Mini survived.
But, I have to admit - I would still love to own one!
But, I have to admit - I would still love to own one!
Jul 31st, 2006, 09:08 AM
#29
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There are two Honda Jazz (Jazzes?) in our UK neighborhood and the owners seem quite happy with them. It's one of the four cars on our small car list (which includes the Prius; in the UK it doesn't have the waiting list that it has in the U.S. Not yet, anyway). Here is a British review of the Jazz:
http://www.topgear.com/drives/B5/A0/new/
http://www.topgear.com/drives/B5/A0/new/
Jul 31st, 2006, 11:32 AM
#32
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I wanted a red Mini Cooper before I saw the Italian Job and I wanted one even more after the movie. So I was sure that my husband was getting one for my birthday in 2005. But I was very surprised(and a little disappointed) that he gave me a new Mercedes-red. It was actually being built while my son and I was in Germany in Sept.
I STILL WANT A MINI COOPER!
I STILL WANT A MINI COOPER!
Jul 31st, 2006, 12:25 PM
#36
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I'm 6'2" and mostly disproportionately long-torso'd... so, not really... but I definitely want to go fast through the canals & rio's someday after that opening sequence. We must've covered a lot of ground in Venice 'cuz I recognized a lot of the slow "gondola" scenes...
Jul 31st, 2006, 12:41 PM
#37
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I have a 2003 Cooper S, which I bought new in early 2003. I love it -- I've had no reliability problems, and it is a very fun car to drive. It works out really well for us because we live in a city where parking is always an issue, and there is nothing more satisfying than being able to zip into a tiny spot that nobody else can fit into. The one thing about Minis that may not be obvious -- unlike the size, etc. -- is that it is a rougher ride than you might be used to in a regular sedan. This is particularly so for the Cooper S. We're used to it so it doesn't bother us too much, but for long car trips it can get tiresome. Oh, and one other thing -- they are serviced only by Mini dealers, NOT BMW dealers that don't have a connected Mini dealership. So for maintenance this can be a pain, since there are far fewer Mini dealers than BMW. So depending on your location you may have to drive a significant distance for service.
That all said, the fun driving, peppy engine, and cuteness factor makes it definitely worth it for us!
That all said, the fun driving, peppy engine, and cuteness factor makes it definitely worth it for us!
Jul 31st, 2006, 01:02 PM
#38
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aaah, I live in Honolulu, Hawaii and am like "the little old lady who only drove it on Sundays." My 16 year old Corolla only has 75,000 miles on it.
quot;>
I forgot about the rough ride, I did hear about that. So how do you get comfortable? Extra cushion on the seat?
quot;>I forgot about the rough ride, I did hear about that. So how do you get comfortable? Extra cushion on the seat?
Jul 31st, 2006, 01:26 PM
#39
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Hi
I've had my 2003 Mini since mid 2003. Love it. I had one problem initially but it has been great since.
With free maintanance for 36000 mi. It has a computer chip in the American mocels that limits its speed. My will do 114 mph max. with run flat tires that I have because I drive alot for my job. It's been a great car for me. Probably the closest I'll get to a BMW.
I've had my 2003 Mini since mid 2003. Love it. I had one problem initially but it has been great since.
With free maintanance for 36000 mi. It has a computer chip in the American mocels that limits its speed. My will do 114 mph max. with run flat tires that I have because I drive alot for my job. It's been a great car for me. Probably the closest I'll get to a BMW.
Jul 31st, 2006, 01:56 PM
#40
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I love my Mini Cooper!!! I bought it last year after moving back from Europe. I can't imagine having a large car anymore - I can fit into any parking space. Also, I feel the car is rather safe - I was rear-ended by a drunk driver and only the car was damaged - not me. It has a rigid body so that the impact is taken away from people in the car.
