why a MINI

[ianking]

Been into minis since I was old enough to drive them around the farm fields. Got my first shot of driving one on my own at the age of 11 (I'm now 31) and from then on I was hooked. Got my first mini to help restore at the age of 17 (Mary Quant designer edition) and always had a classic to go with my modern everyday car.
When the R50 was launched I was eagerly awaiting it. I remember the countdown stickers on the showroom window at Easterns old place. I had to wait until 2002 before I had paid of my Corsa but got my first R50 (a red mini one) and have owned a number of new Minis since.
Between my now wife and I we are on MINI number 14 I think.
Had a number of classics and still have my Cooper Sport 500 which is a keeper as well as being on a Countryman now as the modern car due to needing to fit a pram in the back.

Ive tried other cars and even bought 2 different BMW 1 series over the years but always go back to a MINI.

[GERFIX]

I've never really been a big fan of classic Minis and I hated the new Mini when it first appeared. I've worked out since that it was down to "principle" after BMW's asset stripping exercise. Anyway, that's off topic.

We came from an MG ZT CDTi and BMW 525tds before that and had looked at Minis a couple of times towards the latter part of our 6 year ownership of the ZT. We decided they were too small, especially after those two biggies. Then, just before going on holiday last year we just happened to stumble across this one on eBay and decided to have a closer look (it was in Morpeth). By the end of our fortnight in Spain and numerous emails and questions to the seller, we'd decided it was ours if it was still there when we got home. It was and we were sold on it after one viewing and a drive in it.

Well chuffed with it, despite the various problems with engine carbon etc on these motors. I dare say if we'd look into MCSs in any depth before buying we probably would have steered clear.

[Eddie_JCW]

Excellent question!

I was never a fan of the MINI although I wanted to drive one and when I got my BMW I had a Cooper or One as a courtesy car I was left hugely disappointed with it's lack of power and torque compared to my 320d, it was fun but I knew it could handle loads more power.

The majority of my previous cars have been large cars and every car had more legroom in the back and boot space so that was another reason I couldn't have had a MINI.

So July came and Rachael fancied a go of a convertible. We had used Gogeta rental car before (I have a thing for hire cars :P ) I knew it had to be a Z4 or MCS, Rachael decided the MINI. I hadn't had that much fun in a car in a long time and it was loaded with toys – the 2 main criteria for my cars.

I had that much fun I knew I had to have a MCS then I thought if I get the MCS I'll end up wanting a JCW and wishing I'd got one. I decided to get some figures on both a used MCS and used JCW, I then found out that I'd be much better off getting a brand new JCW.

I just wish I'd done it sooner.

[badwolf340]

some great storys folks

[Mini Ecosse]

I had no say in the matter! Allyson's choice. Just sign here
.
.
.
. She did whisper camera and lens in my ear, so head down and signed on the dotted line

[badwolf340]

I had no say in the matter! Allyson's choice. Just sign here
.
.
.
. She did whisper camera and lens in my ear, so head down and signed on the dotted line

best reason in the world

[Crombers]

Jings where do I start ........

As a lad I'd been brought up in the 70's Mini era. I fondly remember Rallycross being shown on Grandstand on Saturday afternoons and these mighty Mini's giving MkII Escorts & others a pasting. At 17 (1982) one of my pals passed his test 1st time & was given (lucky sod) a blue 1974 Mini Clubman saloon. I was into motorbikes back then but would pop up to see him on a daily basis to watch him de seam, plonk in a 1275 & respray in black. In addition white Weller steelies were added along with a centre bore exhaust.

What a car

In 1985 I was able to buy a brand new Mini City E in Moonraker Blue (C755 GGA)

Sold the Mini & enjoyed a few VAG (Polo/Golf) years before returning to another Mini in 1991 (the year I bought my first flat) a 1983 chocolate brown Reg OGB 260Y
Unfortunately due to savage rust issues my Mini relationship then went into hibernation from 1993 to 2004.

2004 saw me in a position that allowed me to buy a new/newer car. I'd just 'relinquished' a 2001 Golf Gti 1.8T (with full Recaro leather) so let's just say I wanted/needed to spoil myself a bit. Can't remember why but I was passing Henry Bros in Glasgow & saw a liquid yellow Cooper in the showroom with 17' 'S' Spokes. In an instance I was smitten & after a couple of test drives I placed an order for the Cooper I still own.

There is more to the story that I won't bore you with but let's just say it'll be extreme circumstances that will ever lead me to part with this very special car

[GERFIX]

I should have added that, around 2007/2008, BMW did a couple of open days and Mrs G drove a JCW and that's where our initial interest in the Mini came from. She was absolutely smitten and didn't stop talking about it for weeks after.....I suppose I could have saifd the same for the Z4 I drove one of those days......

[Alex from NM]

I loves the old mini and didn't like the new one when it was first released. Took ages to come around to them. I had a Clio and kept seeing a indi blue cooper on my way to work. Eventually I started coming around to them. Then bored one Saturday morning I took a visit to my local dealer. I only really went in to find out what my Clio was worth, but there was this brg cooper just sat there. Thought while I was there I might as we'll ask for a test drive... I think you can fill in the rest. It felt a completely different car than what I was used to and looked fantastic. Bought it there and then.

[Scottie]

Well I got my first Mini back in 1980 it was a Mini Clubman then I moved onto a Woody and so on......finished with a sportspack Mini and sold it 2001 to move on to MINI when they launched. Owned a few different MINI'S since then appart for a brief period in 2007. Basically I've had a Mini in one form or another for the past 34 years....Is that a record on here I wonder!!!!????

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