# My Mini Cooper **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 5, 2003, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-mini-cooper/173098 "2003-05-05T01:24:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Lillith\_Fair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bb73d2/32.png) [@Lillith\_Fair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lillith_Fair)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2003, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-mini-cooper/173098/1 "2003-05-05T01:24:05Z")
I got my Mini Cooper yesterday!!! It is British Racing Green with a white top & side mirrors. It has a moonroof. Thanks for all your suggestions awhile back. I guess I finally wore Mr. Lillith Fair down. He actually likes the car, but only got it because I wanted it. I am really šŸ†’ now! ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2003, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-mini-cooper/173098/2 "2003-05-05T02:11:31Z")
Bitch! A car to play with! Enjoy! ---
**Author:** ![flybynight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/71c47a/32.png) [@flybynight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flybynight)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2003, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-mini-cooper/173098/3 "2003-05-05T02:15:57Z")
Cool. I should have been looking in Ohio - I looked into getting a Mini S a few months back, but here the wait was 10 months before theyā€™d even put in your order! Mine was going to be dark gray with a black topā€¦ Itā€™s a cool little car, but I just couldnā€™t wait a year for it! Congrats though šŸ˜‰ ---
**Author:** ![ElwoodCuse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/edb3f5/32.png) [@ElwoodCuse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElwoodCuse)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2003, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-mini-cooper/173098/4 "2003-05-05T05:55:31Z")
Are they as small on the inside as they look on the outside? I think they are cool too but that would be my big fear in owning one. If your husband still needs convincing that the car isnā€™t wussy, rent _The Italian Job_ with Michael Caine. Great car chase movie that has a lot of Minis in it. ---
**Author:** ![Zenster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/cdc98d/32.png) [@Zenster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zenster)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2003, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-mini-cooper/173098/5 "2003-05-05T06:17:39Z")
Good for you! The new Minis are one of the few re-releases of an old marque to have some real class. Did you get the run-flat tire option? ---
**Author:** ![Shana](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3bc359/32.png) [@Shana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shana)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2003, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-mini-cooper/173098/6 "2003-05-05T06:41:30Z")
Oooooo!!! I want one too!!! Congrats Lillith Fair! Enjoy! ---
**Author:** ![Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5fc32e/32.png) [@Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bad_News_Baboon)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2003, 7:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-mini-cooper/173098/7 "2003-05-05T07:41:05Z")
Hooray! Welcome to the club! šŸ™‚ Be sure to check for local clubs. We have had so much fun going to rallys. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Zenster \* > \*\* > Did you get the run-flat tire option? \*\* I didnā€™t think this was an option, at least it was not presented as one to me. ---
**Author:** ![moi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@moi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moi)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2003, 8:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-mini-cooper/173098/8 "2003-05-05T08:28:28Z")
Oooh, you lucky girl! šŸ™‚ Congrats on the new wheels! ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2003, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-mini-cooper/173098/9 "2003-05-05T15:25:49Z")
Coopers are about the same size as Honda Civics. ---
**Author:** ![Lillith\_Fair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bb73d2/32.png) [@Lillith\_Fair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lillith_Fair)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2003, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-mini-cooper/173098/10 "2003-05-05T16:16:23Z")
I donā€™t think I got the run flat tire option. We went two weeks ago to look and they had about 15 cars. On Saturday they had about 8 cars. They said they sold 60 in April. So we took one on the lot, and it was the color I wanted and had the moonroof. I did not care about such things as cruise controlā€¦but I did want the heated seats. Oh wellā€¦ We would have had to wait until late July to get one to order. It is very very tiny, but a lot of fun to drive. I also really liked the dark gray, but it only comes in the S version which we were not getting. Iā€™m still discovering the featuresā€¦ ---
**Author:** ![mipiace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb9ed0/32.png) [@mipiace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mipiace)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2003, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-mini-cooper/173098/11 "2003-05-05T16:36:18Z")
I am SOOOOO envious. I still think of buying one but alasā€¦I will pay off my sensible family SUV before I can afford a toy car. Enjoy. ---
**Author:** ![Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5fc32e/32.png) [@Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bad_News_Baboon)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2003, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-mini-cooper/173098/12 "2003-05-05T16:44:43Z")
regarding the wheels: On a standard cooper, the run flats are an option. On an S, they are standard. Now I am curious. **Lilith** , did your car come with a spare or how does this work? If you havenā€™t noticed. in the boot there are two panels: one on each side. They are removable and one side contains a small tool kit. The other side is meant for a first aid kit (only the euro versions come with one but you can get them online). ---
**Author:** ![B.Serum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/b.serum/32/14266_2.png) [@B.Serum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/B.Serum)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2003, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-mini-cooper/173098/13 "2003-05-05T17:54:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ElwoodCuse \* > **Are they as small on the inside as they look on the outside? I think they are cool too but that would be my big fear in owning one.** Just go to a dealer and take one for a test drive. The front seats are as spacious as you need. Depending on you much you need, it will seriously affect the rear seat legroom. - Mini Driver šŸ†’ ---
**Author:** ![wireless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f14d63/32.png) [@wireless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wireless)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2003, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-mini-cooper/173098/14 "2003-05-05T17:56:12Z")
Congrats on the new MINI, **Lilith**. I just got mine 2 weeks ago and itā€™s LOVE! Mineā€™s a Cooper ā€œSā€ in dark silver with black trim/roof. First new car Iā€™ve ever owned. Ordered it about 10 months ago. Yes, run-flats are the only ā€œoptionā€ on the S. No spare. Mine also has the big sun roof and the rest of the ā€œluxuryā€ package (trip computer, etc.). As for the size, the outside is tiny, but the inside is surprisingly roomy. My 6ā€™1"/250# friend fits just fine (in the front seat). Now that heā€™s ridden in/driven mine, he wants one too. And yes, they get a lot of looks and comments at lights and the gas station. Kind of weird. Not for those wanting to go incognito. Happy motoring! ---
**Author:** ![kung\_fu\_lola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f4b2a3/32.png) [@kung\_fu\_lola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kung_fu_lola)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2003, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-mini-cooper/173098/15 "2003-05-06T00:45:26Z")
Are you feeling super-duper? Iā€™m so sorry, I just had to, I will go now ===zoom! ---
**Author:** ![Lillith\_Fair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bb73d2/32.png) [@Lillith\_Fair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lillith_Fair)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2003, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-mini-cooper/173098/16 "2003-05-06T02:15:46Z")
I posted before but I guess it didnā€™t workā€¦ The spare on the regular Mini Cooper is underneath the back end of the car. You lift up the bottom panel in the hatch and take out the tool box. There is a bolt there. Unscrew it and the spare tire drops down. ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2003, 10:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-mini-cooper/173098/17 "2003-05-06T10:01:38Z")
As much as I generally dislike retro cars, the Mini is quite the looker. And my goodness, are they fun to drive! That thing corners like a frickinā€™ go-kart. One of the best FWDā€™s on the market, in terms of roadholding. And thatā€™s bearing in mind I did a test run in a simple Mini One. The Cooper models are probably even sharper. I wonā€™t get one: a bit too flashy for me, not to mention too impractical as a daily driver. And itā€™s hideously expensive over here. But I can see how you all like it so much. Happy motoring, Lillith! Although I gotta say, whilst the BRG with a white roof is a good touch, putting a moon roof in it probably doesnā€™t look that good as without it. But hey, a minor detail. In terms of colour, I too love that smokey dark grey on the Cooper models. ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2003, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-mini-cooper/173098/18 "2003-05-06T17:32:51Z")
Minis are _not_ the same size as a Civic. Theyā€™re slightly smaller than a mid 90s Civic, and about half the size of a 2003 one. Iā€™d love one, but I haul stuff as part of my job, monitors and computers and suchlike, and a Beetle/Focus/Civic is about as small as I can get. ---
**Author:** ![B.Serum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/b.serum/32/14266_2.png) [@B.Serum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/B.Serum)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2003, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-mini-cooper/173098/19 "2003-05-06T18:36:03Z")
**Coldfireā€¦** What is the difference between a MINI Cooper and a MINI One? I usually head straight for [miniusa.com](http://miniusa.com) rather than the main site. The MINI One isnā€™t offered in the U.S. Iā€™m surprised theyā€™re expensive over there. They start as $16K over here which is very reasonable. I would have assumed that with importing across the Atlantic, the price tag would be worse over here than in the vicinity where theyā€™re manufactured.