I remember a thread a while ago about the Cooper and Cooper S and I am wondering if anyone has ever actually gotten one?
I really want a Cooper S and I’m vry tempted to buy one, but I want to hear from some people who drive them on a day to day basis before I shell out $23k.
If Bad News Baboon is lurking around here, she’s got one!
Someone here at work has one - I’m dying to figure out who it is, but haven’t been able to track them down yet.
I didn’t - I decided to go to grad school instead. 
Maybe in a few years.
Geez Lsura! Someone needs to get the priorities straight!
Actually I’d really like to do both 
My brother has had one for about a year - I drove it and gotta admit that it’s pretty sweet. He’s never had any problems and still loves it. The only thing that isn’t great is that there is no backseat room. You can fit in there, but don’t expect to get too comfy!
But other than that, it’s pretty cool.
I’d love to get one, but I get claustrophobic just looking at them.
And some people think my Geo is small…
my TA who is a grad student owns one. Never driven it myself, but he has the cooper S and according to him it’s damn nice. Wheels are set far apart so you get extremely good handling and the supercharger does wonders in such a small car.(granted it’s heavy for it’s size). But thats just what I hear.
Never heard any complaints from anyone who’s owned it cept that the backseat is smaller then a fricken 94 prelude!
I love love love my car!
zoooooooooom zip!
It’s small, but very comfy.
I think that the services were wonderful: it comes with 3 years of oil changes, etc, free at the dealership. The services by far have exceeded any car we have ever owned. Mini goes the extra mile.
I would highly recommend two options:
a) get the extended tire warranty. Mini’s use run flat tires. Should you need to replace one, they can be pricey.
b) get the seat warmers.
Ha ha BBN, I love the car’s name.
Wait, Bad News Baboon is a girl?
Wow, and a pretty nice looking at that. So, wanna give me a ride in your Mini? 
(checks)
yes.
Yes I am a girl, by gum!
(why would you think otherwise? Just curious. Do I type in a manly font? ;))
Sure, I’ll give you a ride!
We’ve given all our neighbors a spin in it.
It would be a pretty long way though…
A lot of strangers ask if they can see the inside of it.
A fun thing happened once when we were driving to Austin.
An SUV pulled up along side us and stayed with us for a good 2 minutes. We thought it was strange that they would be there that long ‘looking’. Then the rear window rolled down and a little kid’s hand shot out of it. He was holding a toy version of my car!
I don’t know who was more amused… him or us!
My Husband said it’s the closest thing to driving a Ferrari he’ll ever have, what with the looks and requests to see it.
Sounds like a lot of fun…John Roberts BMW? That’s where I want to get mine! Your sales guy wasn’t named Matt was he? Too weird!
I may have to talk you into a drive
–==Mike==–
I didn’t even notice your location!! I’m in Fort Worth.
Next time we have a dope fest, you’ll have to come.
You can look it over without any ‘pressure’, although I never got any from them.
My sales guy was Chris. A really great guy.
Sounds like a plan!
My sales guy’s motto was “drive it like you stole it.” And he does! Took some of those little curves around there at about 80 mph and the car barely swayed. I was a bit impressed.
I didn’t really drive it due to the fact that I didn’t really know how to drive stick and I didn’t want to learn on the highway 
LOL!
me too!
my husband ended up test driving it for me.
It is actually a very easy car to drive. Mr. Baboon has a Jetta and I have never learned to drive it well - The mini’s clutch, however, is easy to engage.
The first day I stalled it once (panic panic panic) and it’s been smooth sailing since!
Keep us posted! You’ll find that Mini owners tend to be friendly.
The few times I have seen some on the road, they always honk and wave.
I just went to the San Diego auto show yesterday. I took a look at the Mini, because I’d never sat in one or really looked at it from the inside. We also picked up the brochure they were giving out.
It was a riot! It was all about being a motorer. Having fun while driving, having an adventurous attitude, etc. There was even a bit in there about how when you own a Mini you’re now a member of the club. And as such, you should acknowledge other Mini drivers when you pass them. Nod, lift of the fingers off the wheel, etc.
If anything, that car’s got a great image and marketing campaign going for it!
We picked ours up the weekend before Christmas (had to drive to Sacremento to avoid the wait), and my wife loves it–although, since we’ve been gone most of the holidays, she mostly loves looking at it. She especially likes the radio controllers on the steering wheel; even though it’s “hers”, I probably remember more of what the car does (we have an S). With all the different buttons and knobs secreted everywhere, it’s sorta like Batman’s utility belt. Overall, it’s a fine car (though the test drive didn’t blow me away); I’m mostly glad she’s happy–she’s earned it.
scout,
it gets better…
throughout your wait. you get e-mails from Mini telling you about the status of your car.
“Your car is on a huge cruise boat and will be seeing you shortly. In the mean time, it is enjoying the buffet”.
I also got a “unauthorized owner’s manual” that was filled with funny stuff.
and I got a cool keychain, too.
I’m sorry to be such a spaz about it… I haven’t had my own car for 6 years, the last 2 of which were spent driving my mother-in-law’s Mini [sub]van[/sub].
oh the horrors of that experience…