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When the BMW era MINI models were introduced in 2002 I raced out and bought one. I bought the base model because I didn't have the patience to wait on an "S". In 2004 I sold the first one and ordered a new "S" model which I've had and LOVED ever since.
Here's a picture with both cars. A couple of days later a guy from Virginia flew in and took the green one home.



Today my car still looks great but it now has 140,000+ miles and I'm beginning to have doubts about whether it makes sense to trust my faithful friend on long vacation trips.
I went today to look at the newly released 2014 MINI hardtop models. I just breaks my heart to see that BMW is bringing the car further back toward the automotive mainstream. The new one is more than five inches longer and more than two inches wider. It also is taller. They've extended the grill section in the front as if the car is growing a proboscis! They've even moved the speedometer over where it goes on a typical car, behind the steering wheel. I can see why they're doing it. They're trying to sell cars to the largest target audience and my voice is out voted.
I went and drove a Fiat Abarth yesterday. What a kick that was but I can tell it would not be as practical as my MINI has been. It just won't haul as much in the back. I'm seriously considering the Ford Focus ST as well. Boy is that a wonderful car for the money! But.... it's not a MINI.

keep the mini!

Greg, I'm with Dan...keep the Mini! Sounds like it is a car you really love, so why not keep it? You could always get the Focus as a daily driver as well...

I have an old (now) 2005 Focus Zetec with 5-speed Manual. It's finally showing wear around the edges and we've had it now for just on 5 years. Of all the cars I've owned, and compared to most I've driven, it is far and away the best put together and nicest to drive, still, with 111,500km on the clock (I know, that's not that much). I'd love a new ST, but we can't afford a new car just now, and I'm not sure I'm ready to part with this one yet anyway.

Cheers,
Gavin

New cars just seem to get bigger and bigger as the years roll by, My 3 series BMW is now 18 years old but parked next to my sisters Fiesta they both look the same size, I dare not buy anything newer or bigger as I would not be able to get in or out of it in a regular sized parking lot space.

Well, if you do upgrade to a new one, I would be happy to take your outdated model and give it a new home.

If you have 10 inches to spare ,this will fit in any parking space..... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mini-Cooper-m ... 58af08951b

misterpop wrote:If you have 10 inches to spare ,this will fit in any parking space..... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mini-Cooper-m ... 58af08951b

Can you re-phrase that misterpop, I nearly choked on my lunch

Go drive the Focus. Supposed to be a kick. If it does not knock your socks off keep the mini. Properly maintained new cars last almost forever.

My 66 Mustang is still running great. No car payment means more cash for the reverse color wrecker....

I just talked to my wife over lunch. Tonight I'm going to conduct an experiment. I'm going to find out if I can pull the MINI in all the way to the front of the garage, park her Smart behind it and still get the garage door down. If it works I'm thinking I go buy the Focus ST and KEEP the MINI! Keep your fingers crossed for me!

johnboy wrote:

misterpop wrote:If you have 10 inches to spare ,this will fit in any parking space..... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mini-Cooper-m ... 58af08951b

Can you re-phrase that misterpop, I nearly choked on my lunch

10 inches, wow, if I had that, no more mucking about with toy cars...

Ghosty.