MINI - A girls car?

.Longshanks.

Hey Guys,

I've been a follower of this board for ages now but this is my first post....
Basically, im thinking very serious about a new MINI and just looking for a few opinions of everybody.
My girlfreind reckons there are a girls car and to be honest since she mentioned it, i've been on the look out and its nearly aways women driving them :rolleyes:
Now i know the usual spile about how they are too expensive, too small, etc but to be honest that doesn't bother me so much right now. I''m just wondering what you guys think? How many people have one on this board and are ye a guy or girl???
Oh, if i do get one, it will be a darkish colour, black roof and big wheels with as litttle chrome as possible on exterior. Im planning on trading my Opel Sport Hatch....

Duff

Nope, I dont think they are a girls car, there is a lovely one that bes about here, black with 19'' wheels with a young fella drivin it, my uncle had a cooper s works for ages aswell, a cream one with black stripes.

Go for it!

endplate

Deffo a girls car but if your not too bothered about that or drive mostly at night then get one.:D My other half has one and it's a fantastic little nippy and fun machine to whizz about in. It feels good and solid on the road but can be lively when you hit a bump going around a bend due to the short suspension travel.

Go on treat yourself you won't regret it

tetsuo_83

Go for it, i love small cars and id drive one if i could afford one. that same stereotype has been applied to the Mazda Mx-5 and Audi TT, and i wouldnt turn either of those down either, all three are just cars with an unusual shape which girls latch on to faster than guys, therefore you see more girls driving them than guys. I'd still take a mustang over all 3 of them though (proper mans car)!

Futureman

100% girls car. If the shape isn't a sure giveaway, then just look at who you see driving it! All women, and maybe the odd puff.

Owen

I sell MINIs, and sell to approx 60% male, and 40% female. We specialise in kitting the MINIs out though, and removing any essence of girliness from them. When the car is dechromed, and fitted with the official Aero Kit, there's nothing girly about them at all. I drive a Cooper S, and enjoy every minute of it, best handling car in it's class, etc, etc, etc.

Go for it mate!

smemon

I don't think so.

Depends on colour and alloys imo.. as with any car really.

Anyway, who cares what people think of you in it, if you enjoy it, feck them

tetsuo_83

Turbo injection
Manual 6 Speed
0-60 mph: 6.9 s
172 bhp
16v
Torque: 240 Nm 177 lb-ft
Top Speed : 140 mph

There you go, not a girls car, drivers car, somewhat similar to a Golf GTi.

Owen

tetsuo_83 wrote:

Turbo injection
Manual 6 Speed
0-60 mph: 6.9 s
172 bhp
16v
Torque: 240 Nm 177 lb-ft
Top Speed : 140 mph

There you go, not a girls car, drivers car, somewhat similar to a Golf GTi.

Actually, it's 175 Bhp, and 260 nm of Torque, with peak torque occurring at 1500 rpm. It outaccellerates cars with more Bhp easily, including the Vauxhall VXR 240Bhp, and the Clio 197. We had them out on an old airfield in Oxford near to the MINI factory.

Andrewf20

Looks like some folks will think eitherway (Girls car or not), but if I were you I wouldnt care. The Mini seems to always get praise from the motoring magazines, so if you do get it, you will have a great motor under your belt.

pburns

The MINI a girls' car? NO!! Surely not...

http://www.kearysmini.ie/contentv3/index.cfm?fuseaction=page&pageID=9569

Duff

Looks like a fella to me!

Owen

pburns wrote:

The MINI a girls' car? NO!! Surely not...

http://www.kearysmini.ie/contentv3/index.cfm?fuseaction=page&pageID=9569

Good grief, of course there's women in those photos. Those people have nothing to do with MINI, the staff of Brown Thomas, which is 95% female, were invited to that event.

For a real feel of what actual MINI drivers look like, and where their genitalia are located, look at the miniclub website in my sig.

tetsuo_83

Thats how one dealer chose to market the car, maybe their customer base is mostly female... here you go, rieger kitted mini, nice and aggressive:

Owen

tetsuo_83 wrote:

Thats how one dealer chose to market the car, maybe their customer base is mostly female...

You're missing the point completely. That wasn't a customer base. That was just an invite to staff of a high profile department store, so they could have beautiful people at the event. There's a difference between freeloaders, and customers.

If you want a true, and accurate representation of the male:female ratio, have a look at the following video :
http://www.miniunited.com/MINIUnited/en/misano_film/index.jsp

It's from MINI United 2005, a festival where all European MINI owners are invited. There's quite a few men there, and they outnumber the women.

tetsuo_83

ned78 wrote:

You're missing the point completely. That wasn't a customer base....

My mistake, i replied before reading your post... just annoys me when people stereotype something like that.. im planning on buying a 00 VW Polo GTi, and my girlfriend keeps telling me not to because its a "girls" car.

christophicus

personally i would have thought Of it as a girls car even though I know many Poeple really into cars like them. But who cares what other people think, if you like it go for it!!!

bazz26

Longshanks100 wrote:

Hey Guys,

I've been a follower of this board for ages now but this is my first post....
Basically, im thinking very serious about a new MINI and just looking for a few opinions of everybody.
My girlfreind reckons there are a girls car and to be honest since she mentioned it, i've been on the look out and its nearly aways women driving them :rolleyes:
Now i know the usual spile about how they are too expensive, too small, etc but to be honest that doesn't bother me so much right now. I''m just wondering what you guys think? How many people have one on this board and are ye a guy or girl???
Oh, if i do get one, it will be a darkish colour, black roof and big wheels with as litttle chrome as possible on exterior. Im planning on trading my Opel Sport Hatch....

It is really only an issue if you are insecure enough to care what other people think of you from the car you own/drive.

If you want to buy a MINI or any other car for that matter because you like it then go out and buy it, sod what others think.

Owen

bazz26 wrote:

It is really only an issue if you are insecure enough to care what other people think of you from the car you own/drive. If you want to buy a MINI or any other car for that matter because you like it then go out and buy it, sod what others think.

Most logical post this thread is ever going to see!

junkyard

Sorry but you could armourplate the thing and its still a girls car as far as I'm concerned.:)

Mr Magnolia

Girls car IMO. Though if it's what you really want go for it, everyone to their own

starn

Defo girls car dude. Buy a big **** Off Hilux, and fit monster truck wheels. It'll kick ass

Biro

SaxoDuff wrote:

Looks like a fella to me!

Now thats the weapon to own. John Cooper works! 220bhp, strut brace instead of a back seat, anyone who tells you thats a girls car probably drives a bora! I'd be amazed to see a girl driving that, and if I did, I'd assume its the boyfriends!

RobAMerc

Very few cars in my opinion are girls cars - particularly if they go and handle like the mini does, but they can be made girly (dont buy a pink one)

To alot of people in Ireland from my experience if it aint a 4 door family saloon - (Toyota Avensis) then its a girls car.

I'm comfortable enough in my sexuality to know I drive what I drive coz I like it sod what the to**ers think.

Owen

starn wrote:

Defo girls car dude. Buy a big **** Off Hilux, and fit monster truck wheels. It'll kick ass

PMSL A Hilux? That'll fit in nicely at the halting site boss.

CrowdedHouse

bazz26 wrote:

If you want to buy a MINI or any other car for that matter because you like it then go out and buy it, sod what others think.

Agree,but the MINI is still a girls car

pburns

ned78 wrote:

Those people have nothing to do with MINI, the staff of Brown Thomas, which is 95% female, were invited to that event.

That just about says it all!!!!:D I can't imagine the staff of BT being invited to a Focus ST, BMW M3 or Civic Type R launch!

I mean The Thrills (for Chrissake!!)
...Blueberry and Raspberry ‘Coopertini’ Cocktails
...Wagamama with it's tantalising nibbles including ebi katsu ...negima yakitori ...yasai gyoza...

The least rude thing I can say is that it's a 'cosmopoliton' car...

I agree however that dynamically it's a great car - BMW engineering, kart-like handling etc. If it's the car you want have the confidence to go for it and f**k the naysyers like me.
The MINI - it's a bit girly, but it's good!

bugle

the older model is far nicer and looks less girly in my opinion.

seamus

Definitely a girl's car. An overpriced girl's car. I don't care how fast it goes, or how many specifications you can write down on a page, it's still for females. It outaccelerates other vehicles because it's smaller and lighter. Women drive small and light cars. Men drive tough and heavy cars.

TomMc

It's a car for the type of people who read (browse through) hello magazine and all that. Personally, I think the only males who drive both current Mini's & Golf GTI's are either nancy boys, badgeheads (muppets) or they buy those cars as substitutes for a proper BMW (6 or 8 Cylinder) which they aspire too, but is probably beyond their means.

Duff

OP-I think you've had enough answers. What ya gonna do??

buy it...BUY IT!!

tacklemore

Never mind the pussyfooting around. Just go for it!!!! My missus calls my Corolla a granny car, I take no notice, and you shouldn't. As long as you refrain from the pink fluffy dice, pink steering wheel cover and pink seatbelt pads, you will be fine. Good luck with it!!!!!!

Futureman

Biro wrote:

Now thats the weapon to own. John Cooper works! 220bhp, strut brace instead of a back seat, anyone who tells you thats a girls car probably drives a bora! I'd be amazed to see a girl driving that, and if I did, I'd assume its the boyfriends!

Who cars about the bhp when the shape still has girly curves?

omega man

ned78 wrote:

Actually, it's 175 Bhp, and 260 nm of Torque, with peak torque occurring at 1500 rpm. It outaccellerates cars with more Bhp easily, including the Vauxhall VXR 240Bhp, and the Clio 197. We had them out on an old airfield in Oxford near to the MINI factory.

I really doubt it out accelerates the astra opc 240.

.Longshanks.

SaxoDuff wrote:

OP-I think you've had enough answers. What ya gonna do??

buy it...BUY IT!!

Thanks for all the responses, I wasn't expeecting so many! Basically a lot of ye have confirmed that i already thought

To be honest, if i do go for a MINI i will be waiting til April when the new Cooper D is out. I know a diesel MINI isn't everybodys cup of tea but i put in €35k KM last year (approx 21K miles) so a diesel is my only option.
I currently have a 6 speed 1.3CDTi 90bhp Astra sport hatch which i love but if i hold onto it too long, with the miles i do, i need to look at changing fairly often.

According to MINI.com & .co.uk the 1.6 (HDI unit from PAG) is capable of giving even more mpg than my astra. I can easily get 850KM out of a single tank which typically costs €38-42 to fill up! (although the MINI does have a smaller tank)

So thats one of my main reasons for considering the MINI. I don't want (or need) a four/five door car and all the VW alternatives are 1.9 - too high tax etc or a focus (1.6TDCi) probably slower than my astra as heavier and not 6 speed. Not even going to look at a peugeot / citroen as simply don't like look of these cars.

As lots of ye above have mentioned, i'd be keeping away from any girly colours etc. Idealy i'd get that shark grey colour, black roof, 17" wheels and maybe look about darkening the rear windows.....

Duff

Longshanks100 wrote:

Idealy i'd get that shark grey colour, black roof, 17" wheels and maybe look about darkening the rear windows.....

Sounds mean, get the white wheels too, would look the dogs danglies!!:cool:

Biro

Futureman wrote:

Who cars about the bhp when the shape still has girly curves?

Who cares about the curves when it'll be going too fast to notice?
Mini One standard, girley. Mini cooper - bit uni-sex. But John Cooper works is for sure a males car.
A lancer is a unisex boringmobile. An Evo is a macho petrol drinking, tyre ripping, tar eating weapon.
I think that John cooper works is like a Mini Evolution 1. A strut bar instead of back seats = macho!

jame5_b

i drive a MINI and i think its the best car ive ever had!! the power the car has is really something else for a 1.6 engine. all my friends love the car and no not person has ever said to me that its a girls car. go for it! you wont regret it!!

Dundhoone

OP I have the very same choice.
After harrasing Ned on another thread , I had decided to buy a Cooper D with a chili pack, for the good mpg and decent acceleration (well better than my 1.4 golf anyways - wouldnt be too difficult in fairness, some shopping trolleys accelerate faster!!)
Im doing a lot of mileage lately hence the need for diesel.
I've run into a lot of slagging from family friends etc over considering a MINI (its girly.)
My other choice is a 1.9 105bhp golf...which would be a good 2-3k cheaper after I add all the extras to the Cooper.

The mini wins in acceleration, mpg, looks (imo) and looses out a bit in comfort.

Im damned if I can decide!

slickmcvic

Would never own a mini myself but would love if my gf got one....drove a few when i worked as a car valet and the all had a real Beemer feel to them.
Girly image...yes
Over priced...yes
But they're a good solid car that'll really hold their value.

colm_mcm

ned78 wrote:

PMSL A Hilux? That'll fit in nicely at the halting site boss.

I work in a Toyota dealer and I've yet to see a member of our cherished travelling comunity driving a Hilux.

endplate

The new generation 1.6 petrol cooper does 46 to 48 mpg. It's quite amazing the only problem is the smallish fuel tank but you can get over 560Km's on a tank

colm_mcm

46 to 48 is very good for a car that must weigh more than a supermini.

emma82

by the sounds of this its only guys replyin! the mini is undoubtedly a girls car!!! no matter how u dress it up r take stuff off it its 4 girls!!! buy a GTI, be a man!! your girlfriend is well on the money wi her comments!

peasant

A MINI is first and foremost a BMW !

Hence it is:
-overhyped
-overpriced
-overaccessorisable (nice one)

In short ...a fashion accessory for the status conscious of either sex.
What the discerning BMW driver buys for the wife, girlfriend, son ...

Anybody who buys it for themselves does so in order to pretend they had a dad/boyfriend/husband rich enough to buy it for them


Everybody pissed off now?

Good !

junkyard

Hey peasant, ya can't go bashing BMW's around here ya know.;)

colm_mcm

junkyard wrote:

Hey peasant, ya can't go bashing BMW's around here ya know.;)

careful...

.Longshanks.

peasant wrote:

A MINI is first and foremost a BMW !

Hence it is:
-overhyped
-overpriced
-overaccessorisable (nice one)

In short ...a fashion accessory for the status conscious of either sex.
What the discerning BMW driver buys for the wife, girlfriend, son ...

Regardless, I'm not going to claim to be a car expert, but I have been reading car magazines on a monthly basis for the past 4/5 years and i've yet to come across a bad review of a MINI.
They might first and foremost be a BMW, but to an awful lot of people (probably myself included) that also means that they are a good driving car.
As i've indicated before, my main priorities are diesel, 3 doors hatch back (no 4/5 dooor cars) a bit more nippy than an the equivalent petrol engine type cars, and of course something cool looking.......hence the whole reason for this thread.....:)

Wishbone Ash

endplate wrote:

drive mostly at night

LOL

Fabritzo

It's a girls car unless it's the supercharged one with the airscoop and mid-mounted exhuast, apparently the supercharger makes a sound similar to the gearbox of the original mini!

colm_mcm

UK car magazines also love the Honda Jazz. Funny how the cheap plastics and nasty switchgear is overlooked on Hondas.

It's all Boll**ks anyway, the major UK mags have a few favourites and all other magazines follow like sheep.