[Hat]

What else was on your shortlist when you were shopping for your mini (if anything)?

For me there were three other cars i looked at:
Firstly the Merc A Class. This was a really nice car and a great drive but there was one thing that stopped me buying & that was the stuck on display screen in the middle of the dash. It honestly looks like they finished the design and someone decided at the last minute that it had to have a display screen. The dealer said it was a deliberate design to mimic an ipad but the screen res was so poor it barely resembled a blackberry playbook. Plus if you dont take the sat nav option it only operates as a display for the stereo. I just knew it would annoy me every time i got in the car.
Next up was the Volvo V40. Again great car, i love the volvo interiors but in the end it was more car than i need, plus the auto is only available in diesel or the top end ( expensive) petrol. It was a close call though
Third was the Subaru BRZ but one of my drivers was to improve running costs, not worsen them

 

[cgingras]

I seriously looked at the Mercedes CLA and the Golf GTI. Like you said, the Mercedes has a great look on the outside but this screen in the middle of the dash is just horrible, way past ugly. And headroom on the back seat is abysmal.

The Golf GTI got me thinking a lot more. I've had 9 new VW's in the past (Fox, Golf and Jetta) and I love them and the way they handle. The GTI and the MINI were the same price (both fully-equipped) here in Canada. I finally went with the MINI because of the fun factor and also all the electronic gadgets that I could add as options. I know I left behind a great car with more rear and cargo space. But fun was more important.

 

[Washy]

Only 2 really. A Mk7 Golf GTi, which was dismissed as Mrs W didnt like as much as her Mk6 and a BMW 120d xdrive, but she didn't want the same as me so....

I did drag her to the local Audi dealer to look at a TT on the basis they had some good deals, but by this time she had decided on a black MINI and nothing was going to change her mind.

 

[elv00]

I looked at a lot of cars
Mazda 6
Mercedes CLA
Mercedes A
Acura ILX
Audi A3 Sedan
Actually I haven´t received my Mini hehe and as time goes by I´m having doubts hopefully I can wait!

 

[palgt1]

Over the past 25 yrs I have owned 6 No VW Golf GTis with a 3 series BMW 320d M Sport sandwiched in between ( didn't like the 3 series - only kept it 9 mths and lost a shed load -hence back to the GTi). My wife bought a Cooper S 4 yrs ago and I enjoyed driving it so much decided to have another change from VW and bought a R56 JCW.
When that was due for renewal I had no hesitation in buying another Mini. So far not regretting that discision in any way whatsoever .

 

[Vermonter]

Before my new Mini I had an A4 for 13 years - great car but wanted more excitement this time. I looked at the Mercedes CLA and the new A3 but by the time you added a couple of options they were at least $10,000 more than the Mini and not quite as fun to drive. I considered the new GTI but my local dealer told me it would not be available until the fall (turned out this was not correct). I almost bought the 2015 WRX but gas mileage is not great and I felt I was driving a small Z28 when I test drove it - liked the mini better.

 

[Hat]

I looked at the golf gti but to be honest i don't like the styling of the latest edition.

Having had 2 minis i honestly wasn't looking to go back into one but once i test drove it was a different matter. You know when you don't want to hand it back that you're on to something

 

[GoKart7]

I looked at the McClaren P1

Apparently they were all sold out! So Mini it was

 

[olires]

I seriously looked at the Golf (1.4 in GT trim) and the Audi A1.

Golf primarily because if interior quality and feel, but now I've falled in love with the F56 I'm happy to take that over a Golf.

Also test drove an Audi A1. Meh. Fine, but didn't feel very premium inside.

Oli

 

[shao77]

Acura ILX hybrid and Lexus CT200h.

I started with fuel efficiency in mind plus some luxury. Acura ILX hybrid and Lexus CT200h were the first 2 that I considered. I knew Mini is good in fuel efficiency although not as good as these hybrids but was never serious about it coming from a Japanese car background. My wife and I went to kick the tire on a Fri and really like Mins's style. After reading internet about the fun factor, we went back to test drove on Sat and ordered a Moonwalk/Sports/Wired/17"/headsup hardtop.

I feel Mini has the best style/fuel/fun/performance combination that suits my needs. I am still worried about 2 things,
- reliability since this is the first F56 production year and I already saw some Q&A about the engine problem on the other thread.
- safety rating. 2013 IIHS rating was G/A/G/A with small overlap not rated. I hope the 2014 will achieve G/G/G/G. Anyone know when 2014 will be tested?

 

[Washy]

I looked at the McClaren P1

Apparently they were all sold out! So Mini it was

Should have gone for the Porsche 918 instead then

 

[MaskedAnkle]

I looked at 3/4/5 year old Caymans... A 2.7 or 2.9 model. (Not the 3.4, as it had crazy road fund tax implications.) And nothing with any kind of modification. Also had to avoid the older automatics, as these were kind of 'old school' autos, not the flicky-quick-change type.

I checked out a few - some, even though only a few years old, were very tatty. And often, they had been 'de-smelled' with something awful. Insurance for me (40+) was very comparable to the MCS.

Anyway... the lure of a decent warranty won me over. Still wonder if it was the right choice! Bit late, now, however.

 

[GoKart7]

Should have gone for the Porsche 918 instead then

Now way Washy just a pumped up Audi

 

[palgt1]

I looked at the McClaren P1

Apparently they were all sold out! So Mini it was

Already driven The P1 - it was on Forza but does it still count ??

 

[Washy]

Now way Washy just a pumped up Audi

Oh yes I forgot you have issues with our friends from ingolstadt

 

[GoKart7]

Already driven The P1 - it was on Forza but does it still count ??

Of course.

Not

 

[GoKart7]

Oh yes I forgot you have issues with our friends from ingolstadt

I thought BMW and Audi were sworn enemies? Is the enemy my enemy my friend?

 

[Washy]

I have to declare bias here as I spend a bit of time working in Munich.

 

[GoKart7]

Washy

Are you a double agent?

 

[Washy]

Washy

Are you a double agent?

No BMW man through and through