Seafodder
05-17-2014, 10:39 AM
I'm currently driving an '07 Z4MC (which is pretty darned awesome, btw) but my daily commute has recently changed from an 8 mile round trip to a 100 mile round trip. So I find myself contemplating getting something with a bit better gas mileage and reduced maintenance costs. The Z4 won't quite make 3 full round trips so I end up re-fuelling every other day which is becoming rather annoying (on-board computer tells me I'm getting 21.5 MPG at an average speed of 61.5 MPH)... I can't stomach the idea of getting a straight-up econo-box (I need to be able to take the "40 MPH" curves on country roads at 80 :D) so I'm looking for input from those who may already have one of these little beasties.
The 2014 Mini Cooper S Hardtop reasonably optioned is coming in at about $31k which fits in my price range as defined by my CFO; otherwise known as She Who Must Be Obeyed. I like the looks, both inside and out (my daughter thinks it's butt-ugly, but that's probably a + from my perspective).
Basically, I'm looking for something that's fun (peppy + pulls lateral G's well), gets >30 MPG, doesn't cost an arm & a leg to maintain (just an arm is acceptable), is reliable and, of course, looks good doing it. All of which points me in the direction of the Hardtop S. The coupe is nice on the outside as well but it still has the old dash layout with the speedometer in the center stack and I just can't deal with that.
If anyone can give me some first-hand impressions of this model, I'd greatly appreciate it. Suggestions of other vehicles that would fit the above criteria also welcome!
:help
Thanks!
The 2014 Mini Cooper S Hardtop reasonably optioned is coming in at about $31k which fits in my price range as defined by my CFO; otherwise known as She Who Must Be Obeyed. I like the looks, both inside and out (my daughter thinks it's butt-ugly, but that's probably a + from my perspective).
Basically, I'm looking for something that's fun (peppy + pulls lateral G's well), gets >30 MPG, doesn't cost an arm & a leg to maintain (just an arm is acceptable), is reliable and, of course, looks good doing it. All of which points me in the direction of the Hardtop S. The coupe is nice on the outside as well but it still has the old dash layout with the speedometer in the center stack and I just can't deal with that.
If anyone can give me some first-hand impressions of this model, I'd greatly appreciate it. Suggestions of other vehicles that would fit the above criteria also welcome!
:help
Thanks!