Choosing what automobile to purchase is at all times powerful, however once you’re a foot taller than common and also you’re an fanatic on a finances like me, that alternative turns into harder. I purchased my 2017 F55 Mini Cooper S 5-door hatchback from CarMax in 2020 as a result of I used to be terrified to personal one out of guarantee. Did I overpay? Probably. Am I proud of my buy? Genuinely over the moon– right here’s why.
I used to be working as a area validation check driver for Mercedes-Benz Research and Development on their superior driver-assistance techniques, and I used to be 25 years-old. I wished one thing with an automated emergency braking system, one thing quick, enjoyable, and budget-conscious. I additionally wished to suit comfortably in my automobile, and I wished one thing that was both a convertible or had an enormous sunroof since I stay in sunny Los Angeles.
AEB was excessive on my listing due to my time working in ADAS; I witnessed firsthand how helpful these techniques may very well be in case of a foolish mistake. I’m neither a nasty driver nor am I a distracted driver, however I’d really feel like such an asshole if I purchased a brand new automobile after which ruined it due to one thing preventable. I’m anxious, what can I say?
As a lifelong automobile fanatic and somebody who’s licensed in efficiency driving by the AMG Driver’s Academy, I wished one thing enjoyable to drive. There are plenty of automobiles that present driving enjoyable, however not all of them are reasonably priced and may comfortably match somebody with a 40-inch inseam.
I simply don’t slot in a Miata, one thing that saddens me typically. I ain’t wealthy, so I thought-about operating prices like gasoline mileage and restore prices, too. My finalists have been pre-owned BMW 2-Series cabriolets, Volkswagen GTIs, Mini Coopers, and Ecoboost Mustangs.
Ultimately the deciding think about selecting my Mini was value. Used Minis have been just a few grand cheaper than comparably specced 2-Series, GTIs, and Mustangs, and I learn quite a lot of encouraging issues about F-chassis Mini reliability so I went for it.
When I discovered my automobile, I used to be stoked that it was absolutely loaded with options together with camera-guided cruise management and AEB, a heads-up show, adjustable suspension, Harmon Kardon stereo, and an enormous panoramic sunroof. I wanted it was a guide, however I used to be excited to search out one thing so near checking all of my bins. I even made a TikTok to point out all of the shocking options.
Most of all, I used to be buzzed on how a lot room there’s within the entrance seat! It’s genuinely corresponding to an S-Class when it comes to entrance seat legroom. I can prolong my obscenely lengthy legs out straight behind the pedals, one thing that I can not do in lots of automobiles no matter their exterior dimension.
When I took it for a check drive I couldn’t cease laughing. I used to be popping out of a 2010 Subaru Outback with a CVT so something can be extra enjoyable than that, however my time as a check driver for Mercedes and my prior job as a sturdiness check driver for Porsche and Audi allowed me to drive quite a lot of costly, quick, and enjoyable automobiles and the Mini felt simply as refined and far more enjoyable than most of these large heavy machines.
I used to be smitten, regardless of a numb BMW electrical energy steering rack, and a six-speed automated transmission, all the pieces else concerning the automobile was excellent for me. I knew Mini was the best way to go for entrance seat legroom as a result of my 6’2” feminine buddy drives a 2011 Mini Cooper Clubman and we match nice in her automobile.
I purchased my 2017 F55 Mini Cooper S from CarMax in 2020 with about 45,000 miles for about $18,000 together with the five-year or 125,000-mile guarantee to assuage my anxieties. The automobile now sits at 88,000 miles, and it’s been extremely dependable and satisfying to personal.
About a month after shopping for it, my associates invited me to a observe day at Buttonwillow Raceway. It was my first observe day, and I drove a Mini that was just like mine and it held up fantastically within the 100-degree desert summer season climate, nevertheless it did understeer fairly badly. I ended up glazing over the rear brake pads and completely ruining one of many Bridgestone all-season run flat tires, however other than that it was a champ.
Since my observe day expertise, I put in a thicker rear sway bar from Whiteline on my automobile, swapped the inventory brake pads for EBC Yellow Stuff pads, and put it on some Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 summer season tires. The sway bar and tire combo has considerably improved front-end grip over the automobile I drove at Buttonwillow, and the EBC pads are kinda mid tbh however do the trick.
The solely mechanical maladies I’ve skilled over my 40,000 miles of possession are a failed motor mount, water pump, and jiggly sunroof swap, all of which have been coated underneath guarantee. As a reminder, the automobile now has almost 90,000 miles so these repairs are comparatively minimal, all issues thought-about. F-chassis Minis are actually rating within the top-10 listing of Consumer Reports reliability rankings, and as an proprietor I can attest to this.
I like my automobile–-it makes me smile each time I see it, and it makes me chuckle every time I drive it. It’s not the appropriate automobile for everybody, nevertheless it’s the appropriate automobile for me and I feel quite a lot of of us studying this story, too. If you’ll be able to suppress your internalized poisonous masculinity for lengthy sufficient to take one for a drive, I can virtually assure that you just’ll have fun.
I like my automobile. I named her Miss Mini after the late star of Little Women Atlanta, and sure I’m queer however that doesn’t imply straight dudes can’t fall in love with this automobile. Get out and drive one– you’ll see what I imply.
Source: jalopnik.com