STILL car shopping...........................

[ECHOKnight2000]

Yeah Coopers are nice. I personally wouldn't get the convertible, I think it looks gross on the Cooper but each to his/her own. Yeah the regular Cooper looks nice but but is requires premium. If I were in the financial situation to get it I would go for the base model. I wish at least for the base model it can run on regular but oh well. I talked to the sales man at a MINI dealer near me and he says he runs his on mid-grade and I read some other owners doing that as well. I guess the only flip side to MINI is cost of ownership, reliability, sure they have improved but I read the forums from time to time. Also since its a niche car not only prices are inflated but also parts can be hard to find as you would have to order most major parts and that can take awhile which screws you but if you have other cars maybe not a big deal. I'm NOT trying to scare you or be a A-hole about it just from what I read on forums and what not. Kinda look at the whole picture. MINI is a great car, I haven't test drove one yet but I do love small hatches, especially if they can handle like a dream.

Miata is a great car too but I don't think the dog would like the trunk. But my dad has a previous gen one and its very nice!!

The xD rides on the Yaris platform, although a little bigger, but that could be a great value considering you get lots standard for under the price of a MINI although I know they are in a different class all together but from a price for value point of view its a bargin! If you can hold out till August test drive the xD. I'd say since your in the market test drive cars that even might be low on the list of cars you want, you never know, I don't know about you but I'm a car nut so I will take advantage of test driving cars I probably don't even plan to buy, not to say I will test everyone, no but ones in a similar catagory or just above for the sake of it, why not, life's short...test drive it!