Ferrari Mailing List: Re: NFC - Mini Cooper S Convertible Advice

[Dennis Liu (bigheaddennis]

Mini Cooper S is an awesome little car to drive.  Very fun.  Have no
experience with the convertible though, so take it for what it's worth.  The
run-flat tires suck.  Surprising amount of room in the back (of the
hardtop), even enough for moi to fit back there, with a live adult in the
front seat.  Dependable, very fuel efficient.  The NEW mini is virtually
indistinguishable from the old one, except perhaps to the cognoscenti, but
the mags seem to think that the turbocharged S is slightly better than the
old supercharged S.

Other options:

Used BMW 3-series convertible, easily had for under $30k - too showy?
Really?
Used Audi A4 convertible, easily had for under $30k 
Used MB CLK convertible, a few can be found for under $30k
Used MB SLK convertible, easily had for under $30k, but you're better off
with the CLK
Audi tt, but then you could never ever drive it, Larry
Used BMW Z4 convertible, easily had for under $30k, but very impractical -
and, ok, it's showy
Honda S2000 - fast but hugely impractical, and all the torque of your
Norelco
Here's one chicks like - a used Jag XK8 conv
Hehe - I could probably find you a used Maserati Spyder... Bwahahaah!!!
(really showy)
Nissan 350Z conv - surprisingly fast, but heavy like a pig and not very
practical
Boxsters can be had all day long at $15k-$40k, mostly reliable, wicked fast 
SAAB 9-3 conv, women love them, but boring to drive
Saturn Sky - really, you should consider it
Toyota Solara conv - the most boring conv avail (short of the Chrysler
Sebring)
VW EOS - hard top, but, ugh, why would you want one?
VW New Beetle Conv - like the tt, but even worse
Volvo C70 - again, women love it, but puh-lease.
And of course, the Miata.  Classic.

Vty,

--Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Larry B [mailto:larrybard [at] hotmail.com] 
Sent: Tuesday, April 24, 2007 12:05 PM
To: Dennis Liu
Cc: The FerrariList
Subject: [Ferrari] NFC - Mini Cooiper S Convertible Advice

My wife would like a sporty convertible for what she expects will be a
relatively short (e.g., 10 miles each way) commute to her new job.  Can't be
a vehicle that she considers showy, like a BMW or Corvette.  Her only "must
haves" are a decent sound system (which I suppose could be provided on an
aftermarket basis, but she would prefer not to bother) and a very good
(e.g., xenon) lighting system.  Price should be less than $30k.  Mini Cooper
S with 6 speed manual seems to fit the bill.  She test drove one this past
weekend and really liked it.  I always prefer to let someone else eat the
initial depreciation on a car, and buy used, but it's nevertheless likely
the mini would be purchased new; used ones seem to be selling for too close
to new ones.

Two questions: (1) In addition to a Miata/mx-5, any others that come to mind
as being worthy of consideration?  (I don't think I would feel comfortable
buying any Ford/GM/Chrysler products.) (2) Any Mini options that we might
later regret not having purchased? At present she only feels strongly about
the lights ($550) and audio ($550), though we're going online this evening
to review all the possibilities.

Please respond privately.  I would love to hear form anyone who has first
hand experience with the mini.

Thanks,
Larry


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