the most dangerous of which was the cruise control would activate and begin accelerating the car,

I seem to remember this happening on one of the Ford 4x4s a few years ago. Explorer ??

Quote from: EtchedPixels on June 07, 2013, 07:42:25 PM

A Skoda with electricity, my how they have changed 

They have always had electricity EP; The heated rear screen, to keep your hands warm while you are pushing them 

Quote from: class37025 on June 07, 2013, 07:48:22 PM
the most dangerous of which was the cruise control would activate and begin accelerating the car,

I seem to remember this happening on one of the Ford 4x4s a few years ago. Explorer ??

Quite possibly They also suffered from random tyre blow-outs in the US due to incorrect inflation advice of the Firestone tyres leading them to be nicknamed the Ford Exploder


Paul

Quote from: Leo1961 on June 02, 2013, 08:38:40 PM
If you have never owned a Mini, then I suggest you go for it 

I remember buying one to cover a job transition for £50 and a year later selling it for £50.  Great fun 

Goodness me! No wonder you have '1961' in your moniker. You couldn't fill its tank for that amount of money now

In answer to your original question, I do feel that the BMW Mini is a bit of a girls car.

I think with BMW Minis it depends on the colour you choose as to whether they look like girls cars or not.

I don't think worrying about whether a car is a 'girls car' or not should even enter the equation; it's just machismo.
There is an enormous list (MINI Cooper, Fiat Barchetta, MX-5, Z4, Sport Ka, Ford Puma, Suzuki Cappuccino etc, etc) tarred with that brush which have very sorted chassis design and handle/drive extremely well. I think the main criticism from anyone with a clue is that most of these fun cars need more power to make the most of the chassis.
I reckon they earn the 'girls car' moniker from disgruntled, ego-bruised owners of more powerful machinery which has been shown a pair of rear lights by these machines on the right road with someone more talented at the wheel!

Quote from: d-a-n on June 09, 2013, 12:53:09 PM
I don't think worrying about whether a car is a 'girls car' or not should even enter the equation; it's just machismo.
There is an enormous list (MINI Cooper, Fiat Barchetta, MX-5, Z4, Sport Ka, Ford Puma, Suzuki Cappuccino etc, etc) tarred with that brush which have very sorted chassis design and handle/drive extremely well. I think the main criticism from anyone with a clue is that most of these fun cars need more power to make the most of the chassis.
I reckon they earn the 'girls car' moniker from disgruntled, ego-bruised owners of more powerful machinery which has been shown a pair of rear lights by these machines on the right road with someone more talented at the wheel!

Not in my case, I drive a very slow Honda 

I've owned a 52 plate Cooper from new which is nearing hundred thousand miles soon. Mine's been very reliable, only had the power steering and the odd light bulb go in all that time. They're well built and still look great which is more than i can say for the latest models!

Quote from: silly moo on June 09, 2013, 11:24:15 AM
I think with BMW Minis it depends on the colour you choose as to whether they look like girls cars or not.

That's why i had mine in black, mind you absolutely impossible to keep clean!

Still nowhere near getting a car, though the garage I'm dealing with have cleared me for finance upto 4k........
Anyway, the C2 I was eyeing up has been sold, which is a shame I liked the look of it!!!!
I thought 4k wasn't going to get me anything relatively sporty (I like to drive quickly but within the limits), until I looked on the garages website - a 51 plate Mini Cooper that's within the budget!!!!!!
I'm still a bit undecided on whether its a girls car lol and the colour of it, it's yellow!!!!!!!
Either that or an 03 plate Citroen c3 1.6.......
Though the Mini wins it on sportiness.....
http://www.berkshirefiestacentre.com/used-cars/view/520925/Mini-Hatchback-16-Cooper

I would have no hesitation buying that mini if I was after a car.  It looks superb and brought back many happy memories of all the minis I have owned 

cheers John.

Quote from: scotsoft on June 30, 2013, 12:29:23 AM
I would have no hesitation buying that mini if I was after a car.  It looks superb and brought back many happy memories of all the minis I have owned 

cheers John.

You know, my heads saying no, but my hearts saying a big YES!!!!
Certainly wouldn't lose it in the car park at work lol

A woman I know here in my home town in Oz drives a mini around town. It's in British Racing Green and has the word COOPER on the sides in white. As far as I'm concerned it's the coolest car in Wollongong and I'd be very happy to drive it!

£3999 is a bit overpriced for that one. It's only basic spec (no Chilli pack, so no alloy wheels, better suspension etc.). My Cooper was only £900 more than that and it's 4 years newer with a lot more stuff on it.

Going on prices on autotrader etc. £2000 - £2500 is a more realistic price for one with that sort of mileage and spec.