Why don't more men drive Minis?

[martint235]

Does anyone own a normal Mini? I was out on a ride the other week, and this applies to my commute too, where every Mini I see is a Cooper or above. Surely someone buys the lower spec ones?

 

[martint235]

[QUOTE 4199980, member: 45"]There aren't many normal minis left on the road now, and they command pretty high prices. I wish I'd kept one of mine.[/QUOTE]
No I mean the lower models of the current Mini rather than the classic one. From what I recall there should be two or three models below the Cooper.

 

[AndyRM]

[QUOTE 4199980, member: 45"]There aren't many normal minis left on the road now, and they command pretty high prices. I wish I'd kept one of mine.[/QUOTE]

Some nostalgia for you - this wee beauty was parked at the end of my street last week.

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

Mr R and I looked at getting a Mini... but it has to be one of the most uncomfortable cars out there, second only to the Nissan Juke.

My brother-in-law bought one recently ('55' plate Cooper, I think?), & yes, it is diabolically uncomfortable
The seats seem far too low, & the door-tops felt around shoulder height, with atrocious visibility

The only other two cars I've been in (& driven) that made me feel as low/uncomfortable/'riding on a shovel' were
1. Passenger in a mark 3 Escort, that the owner had put 17"(?) wheels & suitable 'rubber-band' tyres on, without any amendment to the suspension rates
Truly horrible!!, cats-eyes felt like dustbin lids

2. Driven, for about a mile (no more - thankfully), a B*W X5, with 'rubber-bands', & sports-seats
I felt like I was looking through, not over, the steering wheel, had to lever myself out of the seat to look correctly out of the drivers window

 

[cuberider]

Having owned 2 original Minis I have a built in dislike of the new one, but the main reason for not buying one is how expensive they are compared to other small hatchbacks.

Give me a Mazda 2 or Suzuki Swift any day of the week.

My last Mini....

 

[tyred]

I don't want one, it's that simple!

 

[Salar]

As @cuberider says the Suzuki Swift is very good value.

 

[Milkfloat]

No I mean the lower models of the current Mini rather than the classic one. From what I recall there should be two or three models below the Cooper.

There is only one model below Cooper and that is the 'Mini One'. After the Cooper, you get the Cooper S and then special editions like the Works.

 

[Nigel-YZ1]

I had a couple as courtesy cars when the 3 series was having bank balance transplants. I tried the standard one and the Clubman.
Was amazed how it felt bigger than the beemer.

 

[Lullabelle]

Nobody's ever told me I drive a girl's car, but some people have said it's a hairdresser's car (whatever that means).

Very nice

 

[Joey Shabadoo]

Well,

My affair with the Clubman didn't last long, trading it in for an Abarth 595 Yamaha racing edition.

By a strange coincidence I was talking to the owner of this today:

Bought for £80 in 1979 it's been to Africa and Le Mans a few times, currently being restored. A Fiat 500 Estate !

 

[Rezillo]

My first car. More filler than metal and the subframes were dissolving.

[edit] That's a Radio Orwell sticker behind the Radio Caroline one, btw.

 

[Rezillo]

[QUOTE 4200835, member: 45"]Easy fix though. I replaced a rear one in a day.[/QUOTE]

That assumes that you've something sound to fix the new subframe to, though. I often wondered why it didn't just fall apart. I was quite adept at taking the engine out, though.

It had an electric fuel pump bolted to the rear subframe that fell to bits while driving up the M1.