Mini cooper vs. VW beetle
- Thread starter drfeelgood
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Bugs made in Mexico, and as usual , no savings passed on to us....
Agree with you on all counts.
How about a Focus?
They aren't ugly, are decent to drive and are quite reliable and durable if you select one with the right engine.
They also have zero racey appeal, always a plus in a car for a young person.
She'll love either a Mini or a New Beetle until the first time the thing needs either expensive repairs or leaves her stranded or both.
In cars as in dogs, reliability is what matters.
How about a Focus?
They aren't ugly, are decent to drive and are quite reliable and durable if you select one with the right engine.
They also have zero racey appeal, always a plus in a car for a young person.
She'll love either a Mini or a New Beetle until the first time the thing needs either expensive repairs or leaves her stranded or both.
In cars as in dogs, reliability is what matters.
1993 Volvo 240 sedan. The absolute perfect car for a teenager. It's heavy, safe, and reliable. It's also dreadfully slow. Perfect.
Originally Posted By: Bandito440
1993 Volvo 240 sedan. The absolute perfect car for a teenager. It's heavy, safe, and reliable. It's also dreadfully slow. Perfect.
I think they look kinda' cool too.
I know that's a 740 but I still think it's funny.
1993 Volvo 240 sedan. The absolute perfect car for a teenager. It's heavy, safe, and reliable. It's also dreadfully slow. Perfect.
I think they look kinda' cool too.
I know that's a 740 but I still think it's funny.
I went the Volvo 240 route for my kids and glad I did.
Originally Posted By: css9450
What, no one's recommended a Corolla yet? You guys are asleep at the switch....
To tow the Mini or the Beetle when it breaks down?
What, no one's recommended a Corolla yet? You guys are asleep at the switch....
To tow the Mini or the Beetle when it breaks down?
>> In cars as in dogs, reliability is what matters.
I understand what you're saying, but not everyone believes this ethic absolutely. Reliability is great, but not everyone wants, strictly, an appliance. If all we want is reliability and nothing else, let's just all agree to buy Corollas and we can shut this site down. ;-)
So, here are some facts: The Mini brand is owned by BMW and the cars are built in England. The first gen engine was a Chrysler sourced unit, and around 2007 it switched to a Peugot. Check google for more info. All Coopers (a model) are available as naturally aspirated and turbo or super-charged versions.
More subjective info: The automatic transmissions have been problematic, especially the earlier ones.
My own thoughts and biases: Why in heaven's name would anyone want an automatic transmission with one of these? -- Mini is a premium brand (BMW's language) that happens to be small. The cars are built to last like my 1975 BMW 2002, whose life should be measured in decades, not miles. Yes, there will be things that break and need fixing, but... How can I describe this? My Lincoln, basic things just fall off the thing like a melting snowman... door handles fall off, the shifter knob goes flying across the interior, the cover on the trunk latch falls off, the buttons on the A/C are all broken, I could go on and on. Complete garbage in the long run. Meanwhile, my 1975 BMW still works, everywhere! Imagine a car that is really engineered, such that the threads on every bolt on the car haven't been overwhelmed by everyday use. Imagine...
This is the impression that I have of the Mini. Impression, but I don't have first hand experience. German cars may need to be fixed once in a while, but again, there is something to those vehicles that makes them desirable enough to maintain, and the simple basics don't break anyway.
As for giving this car to a daughter, only you can answer that. I'd want one for myself.
I understand what you're saying, but not everyone believes this ethic absolutely. Reliability is great, but not everyone wants, strictly, an appliance. If all we want is reliability and nothing else, let's just all agree to buy Corollas and we can shut this site down. ;-)
So, here are some facts: The Mini brand is owned by BMW and the cars are built in England. The first gen engine was a Chrysler sourced unit, and around 2007 it switched to a Peugot. Check google for more info. All Coopers (a model) are available as naturally aspirated and turbo or super-charged versions.
More subjective info: The automatic transmissions have been problematic, especially the earlier ones.
My own thoughts and biases: Why in heaven's name would anyone want an automatic transmission with one of these? -- Mini is a premium brand (BMW's language) that happens to be small. The cars are built to last like my 1975 BMW 2002, whose life should be measured in decades, not miles. Yes, there will be things that break and need fixing, but... How can I describe this? My Lincoln, basic things just fall off the thing like a melting snowman... door handles fall off, the shifter knob goes flying across the interior, the cover on the trunk latch falls off, the buttons on the A/C are all broken, I could go on and on. Complete garbage in the long run. Meanwhile, my 1975 BMW still works, everywhere! Imagine a car that is really engineered, such that the threads on every bolt on the car haven't been overwhelmed by everyday use. Imagine...
This is the impression that I have of the Mini. Impression, but I don't have first hand experience. German cars may need to be fixed once in a while, but again, there is something to those vehicles that makes them desirable enough to maintain, and the simple basics don't break anyway.
As for giving this car to a daughter, only you can answer that. I'd want one for myself.
One more personal bias... it doesn't matter where it's screwed together. It matters what screws and what parts are spec'ed for the thing!
Originally Posted By: crw
Meanwhile, my 1975 BMW still works, everywhere! Imagine a car that is really engineered, such that the threads on every bolt on the car haven't been overwhelmed by everyday use. Imagine...
In other words, its got fahrvergnugen!!
Meanwhile, my 1975 BMW still works, everywhere! Imagine a car that is really engineered, such that the threads on every bolt on the car haven't been overwhelmed by everyday use. Imagine...
In other words, its got fahrvergnugen!!
Thanks for the responses everyone. I also would strongly prefer a manual, as the choices are greater but my daughter seems quite resistant to learning to drive one. Also, I'd almost certainly stick to a NA version as she doesn't want/need a "fast" car.
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