Mini Cooper S vs. Yaris

[ChilliwackGuy]

I miss the Geo line of cars! I had a 1997 Geo Metro Sedan - bought it new - and ran it to near death. Was SO hard finding honest mechanics to work on it for me - everybody kept calling it a "Bic lighter car" - in that it should have been disposed of after 60,000 KMs. I also owned a Geo Tracker 1997 - and I swear most of my passengers thought I had paid way more money for it.

[Steveh27]

I really liked my Geo 2 door hard top (a very rare model last made in 1995) Tracker and would have kept it w 142,000 miles, but I had just had to fiberglass 3 good sized holes I just discovered, 1 in each front wheelwell & 1 under a rockerpanel. So I thought to replace it while it was still in good enough shape to get some $. DId get $2,400. I liked the sitting so high up, so much ground clearance, and the 4 WD in the snow.

[D Unit]

Why so much hate for the Mini? If you're looking for a mid ground, get the non-turbo Mini Cooper with a manual tranny. The Mini Cooper S "starts" out at $22K, but once you add up all the options, you're probably gonna be around $26K to $30K at least. From my point of view, life is short and buy it "IF" you can afford it. The Mini Cooper S turbo is a VERY VERY fun car to drive. It's a lot funner than my Dinan e36 M3 and has it's own swagger on the streets. Here's an example of a pretty nice looking Mini (not mine)...



Personally, I also REALLY want to buy a 4dr manual hatchback Yaris as my commuter car. Why??? Cuz they look so much fun to drive. I don't expect any performance next to the Mini, but modifying an econo-car like the Yaris and having the ability to receive weekly presents from the Fedex and UPS man has its redeeming qualities too. A 4 door yaris, cool looking hatchback, 35+mpg, coilovers, rims, AND most importantly, cheap & reliable... what's not to like?!?!

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by ChilliwackGuy

everybody kept calling it a "Bic lighter car" - in that it should have been disposed of after 60,000 KMs.

. Before purchasing my 2007 Yaris (new), I had a 2001 Suzuki Swift 3-door hatch that I bought (new) over Labor Day Weekend in the U.S. in 2001. I put over 151,000 miles on that car. Before wearing out the steering rack (unpaved roads with potholes...in Newfoundland...were the 'last' straw ), the only work I did/had done = oil changes, 1 battery, 2 sets of tires, 1 set of spark plugs, a clutch adjustment a friend did, and possibly 1 set of brake pads...or zero...(can't remember). Great car. Back in the day, my cousin used to have a Suzuki Sidekick (same as a Geo Tracker, IIRC). That gave way to a Saab convertible, and then a Ford Escape.

[Gogogordy]

Originally Posted by nookandcrannycar

. Before purchasing my 2007 Yaris (new), I had a 2001 Suzuki Swift 3-door hatch that I bought (new) over Labor Day Weekend in the U.S. in 2001. I put over 151,000 miles on that car. Before wearing out the steering rack (unpaved roads with potholes...in Newfoundland...were the 'last' straw ), the only work I did/had done = oil changes, 1 battery, 2 sets of tires, 1 set of spark plugs, a clutch adjustment a friend did, and possibly 1 set of brake pads...or zero...(can't remember). Great car. Back in the day, my cousin used to have a Suzuki Sidekick (same as a Geo Tracker, IIRC). That gave way to a Saab convertible, and then a Ford Escape.

Here in the Southwest, the Suzuki Sidekick/Geo-Chevy Tracker is a coveted catch especially in 4wd trim. They still command good money....especially the clean ones. Seems like many were purchased as RV tow-behinds for the retired desert dwellers.

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by Gogogordy

Here in the Southwest, the Suzuki Sidekick/Geo-Chevy Tracker is a coveted catch especially in 4wd trim. They still command good money....especially the clean ones. Seems like many were purchased as RV tow-behinds for the retired desert dwellers.

A female friend of mine in Southern California had a Sidekick at the same time my cousin (in Northern California) had one. They were even the same color. I enjoyed driving my friend's Sidekick. IIRC, I drove my cousin's Sidekick a few times as well. They seemed to appeal to multiple age groups. My older cousin (by 5 years) is 11 years older than my friend who had a Sidekick.