patrick.net

Why are you replacing the Volt?

Have you test driven a Mini?

BMW dealership staff will be like a family to you. You'll see them more often than your wife and kids.

Cars have always been my go-to passion.

I've built them, I've raced them, I've always done my own maintenance, and I read about them more than anything out there.

I recall reading periodic articles that show every car make in the USA ranked based on most annual trips to the dealer for repair.

Mini is consistently at the top of those lists...in good company with Land Rover.

Proceed with caution. If you want the best odds for low cost of ownership, look at your typical Toyota/Honda.

Straw Man says

BMW dealership staff will be like a family to you. You'll see them more often than your wife and kids.

100% on point. BMW ownership is like an extended nightmare that won't go away until you burn the car to the ground.

I will not allow another one in my family in this lifetime.

In favor of the BMW dealership, they really helped out my brother-in-law. They fixed his 535 after it caught fire, which was very nice of them.

I've had one for 10 years. What specifically do you want to know?

Coopers are great for squeezing into small parking spaces. If you need more space for family or whatnot, then go for the stylish Clubman or Countryman. Mini's have stiff suspensions so you will feel the road beneath you, but I don't know where you'd find a funner car to drive in the price range.

I have not had any major issues with repair with my mini after 10 years. It's a great car; very reliable, good power, good gas mileage, and is owned by BMW and basically has BMW parts internally.

It may not be the most practical car because of it's size, but I guarantee you Mini = Fun.

I bought my Infiniti G35 coupe when the mini c's first came to wide distribution in the US and The Italian Job was still fresh on everybody's mind. The g35 coupe spawned a bunch of meet ups and small car clubs dedicated to it. In those circles I remember discussing the mini c's a lot and they were quite highly regarded. Everything I've read since indicates they are a quality car. I think it's a fantastic city car due to size and ease of driving.

zzyzzx says

Why are you replacing the Volt?

Have you test driven a Mini?

(Haven't touched one)

My Volt is a lease and is maturing in a week, and I don't have a place to charge it anyway. I have enjoyed the car, and the HOV lane access is perfect for my commute. I live and work near public transportation so it's an option, although I'd have to alter my work patterns a bit.

The wife has an '08 Corolla, with low miles that she only uses for the dogs and groceries. I am thinking perhaps of driving the Mini (if I were to get one) for a few years, hand it off to her, and then get my own ride if still needed.

Indiana Jones says

I've had one for 10 years. What specifically do you want to know?

Really, anything like you've offered up. General satisfaction, reliability, comfort. Anything!
Do you prefer the Hardtops? Convertible? How do so many have so many different patterns in the paint jobs?

I like to buy products that are depreciated when I drive them off the lot.

The only path to wealth & immediate gratification!

I hear they can haul a load of gold bars, no problem!

If you like the Volt, then buy it. Having said that, I don't see the point of owning any electric vehicle if you don't have a place to plug it in (how did that happen?).

zzyzzx says

If you like the Volt, then buy it. Having said that, I don't see the point of owning any electric vehicle if you don't have a place to plug it in (how did that happen?).

You probably won't believe it (or agree with) all, but I didn't mind paying a little extra. I get the toll discount so that saves me a hundo each month, get the HOV lane from E'ville to SOMA and vote with my dollars a bit. With all the incentives, it was mostly a wash but I had hoped I'd get some charging on either side of the bridge. If I had, I'd probably get 1000 miles or more per gallon.

I also tend to hit free SF street parking, and with the limited charging capabilities I'd have to drop 20-25 bucks per day to get in a garage in SF, plus pay like $5.00 for charging the equivalent of $3.00 worth of gas. Extended range is great, but that part of the economics doesn't exactly work.

I like the new Volts though, and considered just getting a 2017 but we relocated my office from SOMA to the other side of Fidi, and now the commute is much more likely than before to result in me wishing I'd have taken the bus. One car is an option I'm considering too, but the hand-me-down to my wife seemed to hit a few spots for us (mostly with the age of the Toyota she drives)

I mostly kind of figured if consumers like me didn't choose EV, then the next "Who killed the Electric Car?" would feature we consumers in the starring role! :)

CL says

Really, anything like you've offered up. General satisfaction, reliability, comfort. Anything!

Do you prefer the Hardtops? Convertible? How do so many have so many different patterns in the paint jobs?

Mini's are surprisingly comfortable considering how small they are. Their interiors feel quality and do not feel cheap like some cars feel inside. Again, my car has been completely reliable. I've never experienced any engine issues and I've put plenty of miles on the car. We even drove from the Bay Area to Vegas with three adults and a baby and everything fit. Barely.

I prefer hardtops but that is from years of living in SF and seeing knifed up convertibles. With the mini, you can either buy what they have at the dealer on hand, or you can order a custom designed mini at extra cost that takes 6 weeks or so to arrive. There are a ton of style features -- racing stripes, union jack flag on top, various colors on body and hard top, chrome, wheels, etc. There are also all the limited edition styles available.

I love my mini. If you love driving, then you will appreciate the mini. I am not talking about loving a long commute or a drive to the store, but the actual Art of Driving. Each time I've test drove a car in the past 10 years I couldn't bear to leave my mini. We now need a bigger vehicle and I am starting to look at SUV's right now, but I know none of them will compare to driving a mini.

zzyzzx says

Having said that, I don't see the point of owning any electric vehicle if you don't have a place to plug it in (how did that happen?).

One word: HOV.

Indiana Jones says

If you love driving, then you will appreciate the mini. I am not talking about loving a long commute or a drive to the store, but the actual Art of Driving.

He'll appreciate a Miata even more then.

Ironman says

I second the Honda. can't go wrong there

Sometimes you can: their track record with auto transmissions paired to V6's was less than stellar.

There's a pretty good $89/month lease ($190/month effective including driveoff) on the new 2017 Volt at Fremont Chevrolet. Does not include tax, license and doc frees.

CL says

Anybody have a strong feeling about them?

I do! It was my first toy car - a well-made model in Great Britain. With all the details, small and heavy (metallic). Blue. I can still picture it clearly in my head.