GBimmer
04-07-2011, 08:59 AM
Well... We got it. Traded in both the Jeep (1999 WJ V8) and M Roadster. They tried to really low-ball me on the BMW but I talked them up to a reasonable number.
We didn't get the S in order to keep the overall savings up. It's also an auto but auto Mini's have the steptronic trans so we can drive it like a manual (minus the glorious third peddle...). That said we are still saving over $250 a month when I factor in gas, insurance and repairs. It's safe to say that's a very good number. My wife is about as giddy as she could be, the kid loves it (she woke up this morning saying, "Ride! Ride!" which in Ava-talk means "It would be advantageous to my disposition for the remainder of the day if we would gather our belongings and clamor into the Mini Cooper for a long and fun trip to the countryside".
Got 36 mpg on the way home too! :buttrock
Pics:
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l190/gwbauer/IMAG0195-1.jpg
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l190/gwbauer/IMAG0194-1.jpg
Don't let the pics fool you: It's MUCH smaller than the Jeep. Comparing it to the IS250 (estimated by looking at the two side by side in the garage): the IS is 2.5' longer, the Mini is 4" taller, the mini's wheel base is about 4" less, and they are about the same width. The center of gravity feels about the same between the two. The IS has more grunt (feels like it at least). In autocross I'd say they will be pretty evenly matched. This will make it fun to compare my times to my wife's then (If I ever get a chance to go again that is...).
Overall I like it.
....I guess I'll have to suck it up now and slum it in the IS250...
We didn't get the S in order to keep the overall savings up. It's also an auto but auto Mini's have the steptronic trans so we can drive it like a manual (minus the glorious third peddle...). That said we are still saving over $250 a month when I factor in gas, insurance and repairs. It's safe to say that's a very good number. My wife is about as giddy as she could be, the kid loves it (she woke up this morning saying, "Ride! Ride!" which in Ava-talk means "It would be advantageous to my disposition for the remainder of the day if we would gather our belongings and clamor into the Mini Cooper for a long and fun trip to the countryside".
Got 36 mpg on the way home too! :buttrock
Pics:
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l190/gwbauer/IMAG0195-1.jpg
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l190/gwbauer/IMAG0194-1.jpg
Don't let the pics fool you: It's MUCH smaller than the Jeep. Comparing it to the IS250 (estimated by looking at the two side by side in the garage): the IS is 2.5' longer, the Mini is 4" taller, the mini's wheel base is about 4" less, and they are about the same width. The center of gravity feels about the same between the two. The IS has more grunt (feels like it at least). In autocross I'd say they will be pretty evenly matched. This will make it fun to compare my times to my wife's then (If I ever get a chance to go again that is...).
Overall I like it.
....I guess I'll have to suck it up now and slum it in the IS250...