One of my mates shares a Mini with his mam since he just passed his test. It's certainly a lot nicer than some of the bangers my friends drive! 

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My Dad and I owned several of the original British Mini's. I never even sat in a new one.
The same way a person who thinks a handbag takes from their masculinity has issues
No disagreement there... they do. If your masculinity is defined by what you think you should drive or even worse what others think you should drive, I agree with Hoover.
Have fun with your Trans Am... that's a real man's car.
Again, anyone who's actually driven a Mini Cooper S (or JCW) and still thinks it's a woman's car has issues IMO. You probably like manly things like cars that don't handle.
I have a valid reason for hating the Cooper Mini.
I don't fit in it.
Not in the seats.... in the trunk.
We joked around and tried to trap each other in the trunks of certain small vehicles, a few years ago at the NAIAS. We couldn't fit me into the cargo area inside the hatchback of one of the Minis.
People.
If I cannot pack ME worth of anything, how the hell am I supposed to use this car? If I've got a family, or hell even just friends with me, and we stop to buy supplies for a backyard barbeque and campfire, it would be impossible. There is absolutely no room in that cargo area. I certainly can't fit one of my basses in it while still in its case, the thing's too narrow. If I packed my medium-sized cooler, the tailgate would never close.
The Cooper Mini is an impractical car. It is too small for anything I could ever envision doing with my friends.
Not to mention I don't even fit in the back seat, with Matt sitting in the front seat. He needs to slide it all the way back just to get his knees in. Then there's nowhere for my feet to fit under his seat. When we tried this, I was crying out to keep him from leaning back cuz his weight already started crushing my toes!
Most embarrassing car I've ever sat in. Shameful.
I'm not big into cars. The new mini is a fashion accessory.
+1. We had a 1958 Cooper S that was so much fun to drive. That thing was peppy as all hell and handled like a mofo.
I'm not big into cars. The new mini is a fashion accessory.
A mini is one of the few cars under $100,000 that can give a sportbike a run for its money in the twisties.Again, your issue, one that has nothing to do with the actually car. This makes about as much sense as the folks who call Miatas chick cars... they've obviously been nowhere near driving one or checking out a Spec Miata.
Look, if narrow-mindedness works for you, cool. I like sports cars. Not sport-y cars, actual sports cars. I've had a bunch over the years and currently have four sports cars. That fashion accessory as you call it can leave the majority of cars out there in the dust... especially in the twisties.
And no, the twisties aren't just for women.
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Drive what you like to drive. A car is a car, not a ....cigar!
The Minis are a blast, and a very well-built vehicle. My Lady has a British Racing Green '05 and it's a trip!
They're built along the same quality lines as a BMW, and handle like a bomb.
Now the "S" Coopers, those things are pretty slick, and they move like go-carts.
My Subaru WRX SportWagon defines performance with AWD and Turbo-schwing (past 3000 RPM) and it's pretty sedate looking 'cept for the hood scoop. ...And it can haul ALL my gear, in speed and style.
But the roominess, comfort, and even cargo-space of a Mini-Cooper is not chopped liver. Fun piece of gear, I hope you dig yours!
Again, your issue, one that has nothing to do with the actually car. This makes about as much sense as the folks who call Miatas chick cars... they've obviously been nowhere near driving one or checking out a Spec Miata.
Look, if narrow-mindedness works for you, cool. I like sports cars. Not sport-y cars, actual sports cars. I've had a bunch over the years and currently have four sports cars. That fashion accessory as you call it can leave the majority of cars out there in the dust... especially in the twisties.
And no, the twisties aren't just for women.
![]()
My Subaru WRX SportWagon defines performance with AWD and Turbo-schwing (past 3000 RPM) and it's pretty sedate looking 'cept for the hood scoop. ...And it can haul ALL my gear, in speed and style.
+1My Subaru WRX SportWagon defines performance with AWD and Turbo-schwing (past 3000 RPM) and it's pretty sedate looking 'cept for the hood scoop. ...And it can haul ALL my gear, in speed and style.
Again, your issue, one that has nothing to do with the actually car. This makes about as much sense as the folks who call Miatas chick cars... they've obviously been nowhere near driving one or checking out a Spec Miata.
Look, if narrow-mindedness works for you, cool. I like sports cars. Not sport-y cars, actual sports cars. I've had a bunch over the years and currently have four sports cars. That fashion accessory as you call it can leave the majority of cars out there in the dust... especially in the twisties.
And no, the twisties aren't just for women.
![]()
+1
I've got a Forester XT (Turbo) that has unbelievable performance for a little "truck" and has all the room one could want for hauling. Only about 24 mpg highway, though, so you do pay for turning up the wick.

And handbags can carry way more stuff than my pockets but I'm still not going to use one.
Only downside to my WRX 'wagon is that it has to use premium of course...Gas in SoCal...$3.85/gallon!!
and it gets about 18 MPG when the turbo-fun begins.
FAST though, and it carves the roads like...I dunno, a carver! (Carvin?)
The Mini can't quite hang with a WRX, but they are fun, solid, and GO-Go-Go. I understand that there are tuneable options that could get scary. But even stock, they have some very advanced features and a GOOD build. The Warranty is superb; almost cost-free for maintenance I believe too.
Recently for kicks, we looked at the 08's and I was GASsin' for an "S", especially with automatic... ( I know, I know, but you'd have to experience LA Freeway traffic to understand).
Man, they can get tricked out nicely lots of cool options-- Very high-tech, very sweet, and as Brad mentioned, they hold a good deal of gear with even a little thought. With the rear seat folded, more room than meets the eye, and the front passengers seats are as roomy as any compact.
Sweet interior, great peppy engine, and go-cart ride, what's not to like??
*$&#^!! Now I want one!![]()