This is my first post, although I have lurked on this site for one year. Here is my story:

I lusted after the MINI for about two years. I found this site last year and read avidly for about four months, but stayed on the fence about ordering one because of the many problems I read about. In fact, I put in two orders for an 05 and cancelled both. I finally ordered my dream: an 05 Liquid Yellow S, with all packages. I gave into my emotions, against my rational side whispering to me not to jump from 15 years of Honda ownership. Yes, I love Hondas. I love cars... I've had Corvairs, 'Stangs, "wide tracking Pontiacs", a Fiat Spyder, etc., but I love reliability best of all.

She arrived in June, and was she ever the beauty. I would go out into the garage at night to just stare at her.

Then the niggling doubts began. My beauty had a nasty rattle in the passenger window/door from day one. I thought I could live with it until the first oil change. After all, the dealer was way the opposite way from where I work. Then came the dash rattles. Yes, a slap would usually take care of them. But, the buzz from that gorgeous speedo didn't respond to my slaps. The rattle that started behind my head in the rear passenger seat drove me nuts.

I dreaded the cold start issues, and felt relief that my beauty didn't have THAT problem. Until late September, when fall settles into the beautiful Northwest. My stomach sank the afternoon I started her up to leave my work parking lot. I pulled out into the street, and the dreaded "no power for a couple seconds" happened. I thanked the goddesses that I didn't zip out in front of another car, or I would have been smashed. So, from that day until last week, I just let her run for about 35 seconds until that sickening low rev dip and "almost going to stop shudder" went away. She never stalled, though. My neighbor, a MINI fanatic, had gleefully shared with me that our local dealer said just use regular gas. I couldn't bring myself to do this, due to all the posts I read here, and the worry that MINI would never stand behind a warranty issue because of using regular gas.

From the beginning, my beauty had a dirty poo stain from the rear windshield wiper. Ridiculous. I am fanatic about checking oil/coolant, etc. I couldn't believe that after two months the coolant level was far below the minimum level. I couldn't detect any leaks on the garage floor, but? And, why oh why, did the passenger seat (leatherette) have a hefty lump in the middle? Were her seat innards all messed up?

Seattle and Tacoma (areas I traverse regularly) have quite the hills. I have driven manuals for decades. However, she just didn't seem to like our hills for some reason. Maybe it was the DSC. Maybe it was me. But, on rainy hills, her little behind like to shake and shudder. Not fun. She loved trying to roll backwards when getting into gear to tackle those hills.

Yes, I could have replaced those 17 inch S-lite run flats. Every bone was jarred on our rough freeways, but she was divine on our new stretches of freeways.

For many, these issues are "quirks" and personality. I just couldn't get past the question, "Are these issues symptomatic of larger quality control issues?" I had a hefty investment in this little beauty. I expected more, but wasn't surprised to find the same issues others have complained about on NAM. My heart ached for "An Enthusiast's Wife" in Portland who lost her MINI to, I presume, the Lemon Law. That was a couple who didn't buy the "personality quirks" and had far greater issues than I had.

I expect the flames here. When the 06 Honda Civic was released, I felt the pull to return home to rock solid reliability, quality and safety. So, last Friday, after Thanksgiving, I gave thanks to a lesson learned. My beauty was the greatest driver I've had, that's for sure. However, for me, getting up every morning and expecting that I'll have a car that won't let me down is more important.

So, I went and test drove the new 06 Hondas. The EX rocks. But, what surprised me was the quality and yes, fun factor, of the Honda Civic Hybrid. What a looker. Love that new two-tiered dash.

So, I have proudly driven my 06 Honda Civic Hybrid for a week, averaging 46 mpg. I love the quiet start, the quiet ride, the ease of climbing hills. I am in love with her.
I guess I didn't know myself that well.

Yes, I feel sadness at the loss of my little MINI. I expected so much.

So, no, I would not buy a MINI again.

Minimam
Former owner of a 2005 Liquid Yellow/Liquid Yellow MINI Cooper S (5,000 miles)

 

I haven't my gotten my first one yet, but I feel compelled to reply as I feel like I've been through this before. Back in '03 I needed a truck to tow my Race car with. I had friends who had bought F250/350 diesels and liked them. But going to the boards and reading about the problems that were being experienced by some owners had me very worried. The problems reported there echo virtually all the ones here, yoyo, loss of power etc. plus a bunch of other more serious issues. Leaky injectors, engines blowing up etc. There were those that claimed they had no trouble, but it certainly was unnerving to read of this level of discontent. In the end, I wound up buying the truck and had my fingers crossed. Guess what? Three years on, I've experienced nothing worth complaining about. Changed the oil, and other than a little occasional turbo lag, thats it. The truck has been great.

I'm happy your happy with you new car, but I'm a bit perplexed by your assessment of the Mini. With the exception of the loss of power problem, which seems to be something experienced by a portion of the driving population of every non-normally aspirated car being manufactured today (I had an A4T that had precisely this problem), I find nothing in the least bit serious in the rest of your experience. Therefore, I find it hard to agree with the implication that you've been had or taken in. The remainder of your issues are indeed faults, but if they failed to be corrected, it lays at the feet of the dealer or you for not pounding on them to correct the problems. Neither are they life threatening or at least to my mind anything more than minor irritations. As to the car not going up hills?!? All I can say is select the proper gear...thats why theres six of them.

All cars have problems. Those problems tend to be somewhat over-exposed on boards like these. Perhaps you're suffering more from the psychology of lurking here and expecting that all the issues discussed on these pages would have occurred somewhere in the future had you kept the car. Perhaps you've really had a bad time of it and just been unlucky in this instance. All I can say is that I know a number of friends who have Minis and so, much as it worked out well from me with my Ford despite the predictions of doom on various websites, I'll stay the course. If I have a rattle or two, its a small price to pay for not driving something that that would bore me to death. Best of luck to you and I hope your happier this time around!

 

I read your post, what is your point? Do i feel sorry to lose one paranoid Mini owner to Honda, absolutely not, you were never a Mini owner, anyways. Why did you even bother posting? what-a-joke, man.

good luck in with your Honda.

 

Bummer it didn't work out for you, but glad you're happy in your new car.
Your problems didn't sound huge, but I understand high expectations. I bought mine used - the original owner had a 'rough idle' issue intermittently. It's happened to me a few times, but a stab of the throttle resolves the issue. That's acceptable for me, as I got a great car at a substantial discount. It was not acceptable to him, as he paid sticker. The dealer resolved his issue by buying back the car.

 

I've had much worse problems than those you had and I still can't get myself to give it up. If they ever make an all wheel drive, two seat, high performance MINI then I'd buy another one. For now I'll stick with what I got for a long time. Well, it is my first car!

 

I would not buy another one. I already have two. Why would I need one more? Ok, so I would.

But back on topic. One post and it is to say good bye? Well, at least we won't miss you. :impatient

 

 

Well that was pretty good for a first post, both happy and sad. Hello and goodbye. Glad that you're in love with your new car. Hopefully, you won't have any problems with your first new model year Civic. And it's not like hybrid technology is actually proven and time-tested. Best of luck!

I got the first model year MINI Cooper and am also in love with it. Even after three years and numerous visits to the dealer. I just can't imagine getting rid of it, even for a newer model. I guess I plan on keeping it 'til death do us part. But if it dies before me, I will definitely buy a MINI again.

 

You already posted this in the other thread, https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...640#post730640, what is your motive to starting another thread with the identical post?

 

I'm just waiting for the "All my ******* and complaints about my MINI" thread
Why do one post here just to ***** and complain?
A fourm is here to discuss things not just rant.
I am starting to spend less time here due to all these type of threads.

 

I have lived through winters in a cold wet climate and undepenable cars reallllly take thier toll. my 05 MINI S arrived in august, has 10,000 miles on it now and has had none of the problems you and others have had (luck for me, i guess) but it likely needs a flywheel as well as a drivers door seal, and i am dreading taking it into the dealer for repairs. I have changed the oil twice myself and the factory service mileage is approaching, so i will soon see how good the local service is-sorry to lose you as a MINI owner, but i completely understand your position. im sure your civic will be all every honda is-and many minis are not.

 

The nature of the animal is to complain. If all is OK its

 

I don't think most people just complain unless they are at the end of their rope with service or other things perhaps, mostly they are looking for solutions or have questions about issues and that is how car message boards help people. I'd say that on this forum there are lots of other types of posts with non-complaining content that you could read - its your choice.

 

People value different things. They want different things from a car too. The Honda Civic hybrid is a darn nice transportation appliance. Different strokes I guess.

Have fun figuring out your fuel mileage, cause that's about all the fun that hybrid will give ya. The MINI is a darn nice car. Life is too short to be stuck driving an boring appliance. That's why I'm getting a MCS. I'll have fun carving corners in my drivers car. You'll have fun figuring your mileage. Different strokes.

I hope you don't think I'm flaming you, because thats not my intention.

Good luck with your hybrid.

Chuck

 

Those new Civics look nice. Good luck with your new car and enjoy!

 

I think Hondas are great cars and I think the hybid technology is wonderful but a hybid civic that has a fun factor.... Well I guess there's all kinds of ways to have fun and people find thrills in some pretty weird places.. Honda Civic Hybid -good on gas, good for the environment, but fun to drive I doubt it. I'm sure it's a neat car and I hope you enjoy it. Maybe there is a great online Hybid Civic group where you can post more of your great Threads. You can talk about how fun it is that the engine doesn't make any noise or how great the reliability is.

I like a car with personality. I have driven tons of civics and that car has no attitude. Maybe a seriously tuned SI might start to get a identity after you drop a bunch of money in it.
The fact that you are so overly happy with emotionless side of cars makes it apparent that you aren't a MINI person.

Give me a few rattles or quirks when it comes with everything the MINI brings and I'll keep at least one in my garage forever.
So yes I'll buy another one!
And and I almost forgot

Goodbye!:impatient

 

That is one of the best things I have ever read. I'm going to adopt that as a family motto. Totally Great!

You should write MINI ads.

 

As a former Honda CRX si turbo, yellow (this was back in 1990!), enjoy your new ride. I bought my mini from the dealer just as it was been delivered to the lot. Lucky experience I guess (exactly the ride I want it to place an order for), but the car was and still is perfect (currenlty 6100 miles on it).
No complaints no nothing, beautiful ride a little rough while trying to get out of the city for a weekend ride but this is a mini not a lexus.
Have fun, enjoy your new ride so sorry mini didn't cut it for you.
PS: By the way, my ride is perfect eventhough my girlfriend and I still have a laugh about the name of our sales guy: JOEY LIMON!!! (For a moment, we had second thoughts before paying the car in full the same day)
***AND YES!! I AM GOING TO BUY AN MCS ON 2010*** when all the bugs are fixed on the new model!***

 

But if there is no back and forth dialog, then all it is is complaining. Nothing is resloved." hey I bought this car I didn't like it so I bought something else"
Whoopee. I love the fact that I have a MINI. If I have a complaint about it I'll take care of it with or without anyones help or opinion. When people are helpful with there sugestions all the better.
Cheers

 

Hmmm Rock solid Honda reliability.......guess it depends...

My wife has an 04 Odyssey that is less reliable than any car we have ever owned. We just had to take it in becuase it only started when it felt like it. Turned out to be a bad battery. After a little over a year? It's been back like 3 times for issues with the automatic sliding doors mainly not closing, but one time it almost closed on my daughter.

The car has less that 20,000 miles on it and it rattles like a box of screws.

And our Onda dealer sux when it comes to service. They didn't even pull the car around for my wife the last time we brought it in. I'll take my mini any day.

 

And if you want see some unreliable cars check out this forum, to which I used to belong:

https://www.b15sentra.net

 

*Yawn*

 

from a 2 dr sport coupe to a 4 dr hybrid...,, ,,sounds like a confused pup....
hybrids - pricey, unproven over long term, residual value on that car with those batterys when you get 65,000 miles,... nah ill pass,,,,...,, sounds like someone dieing for the attention factor in the Pac NW so he will drive a HYBRID.... i thought preppy were a dieing breed.... - a tree hugger but wants to look cool at starbucks,,,,,,, love to hear from him after 50,00 miles and a few visits to honda waiting for replacemnt batterys from the far east,,,,lmao.....

 

Lets get back on track here. So far I count 22:1 in favor of buy another MINI.

Oops, make that 23:1 because I have already bought another and will be buying yet another if BMW doesn't muck it up.

 

I'm not really trying to defend this guy, since his mind was already made up before he even posted this post, but I love how everyone made sure to show their passive aggressive sides with their snide little slams on the guy's new car while pretending to wish him well.

"Well, sorry your Mini didn't work out, but have a nice life in your loser-mobile! Later, LOSER! Go drive your little appliance!"

I love my Mini but unlike many folks here, I am well aware that there are better and cooler cars out there, some even in the same price range. If that makes me "not a Mini person", well, I'm cool with that.

The "Minis are better than any other car ever made ever!" attitude that a lot of people have here is pretty sad. But then, it's the same way on ever other car site as well.

"What?! The Mustang is the bestest ever, LOSER!"
"Dude, whatever, you're just jealous you don't have an Evo like us!"

It's all the same garbage. Different stench.

To the initial poster:

Sorry it didn't work out. Glad you like your hybrid. Catch you on the flip side.

To a few of you, feel free to call me a troll or whatever because I'm not singing the same song as most of the lemmings here.