What Car? (NLC)

[jen]

Well lads and lassies, I would like the opinions of you fine, wise people please..........

Alan has decided to let me get another car to replace the Clio (I think he is bribing me again so he can get something he wants!). Its ok and theres nothing majorly wrong with it, but Iv not really liked the Clio very much since we got it and Im more of a luxury car kind of gal who likes gadgets and things like Cruise control, heated seats, rain sensor windscreen, and stuff along those lines........

Anyway, for the last 4 and a half years, Iv been pining for a Mini Cooper, but late last year, Alan put the 4x4 idea in my head. He suggested we get a Honda CRV (2.2 turbo diesel) as you get more car for your money, and they are much more reliable. Plus, if anything did go wrong, Alan knows them inside out as he used to work on them so wouldnt need to pay a garage to fix it.

So I have made up a list of my pros and cons of each car, and I would like those who have previously owned or currently own a Petrol Mini Cooper (07 onwards) or a Diesel CRV (Pre 07, ie the last model) to tell me what you think of each car and if I have missed any points out that you feel is important in my deciding, or if anyone has any suggestions of another type of car?

Mini:
Pros
Really funky looking, inside and out, nice place to be
I think I (and Alan?) would enjoy driving such a unique looking car
Good size engine for the dualler and nipping about town/from school to school
The fact that Iv wanted one for ages, and if I dont get one now, I'l still always want one....

Cons
Bit too small a boot (thinking about transporting tubas and trombones etc to schools and I could just put them in the back seat, but thats a hassle)
Not very reliable and quite expensive to repair (runflat tyres at £130 each - nae liking that!)
Pay extra for cruise control and the stuff I want on it

CRV:
Pros
Good fuel economy on the diesel
Has most of the toys as standard on SE and Exec models
More car for money
Reliable
Big enough for instruments to be karted between schools
Its big enough so if we started a family, we wouldn't need to go for a bigger car to fit buggies/prams etc in
It can be used to tow (big Pro)

Cons
Iv never driven such a big car before and being used to smaller cars and hot hatches, Im worried that I might be out of my depth scooting about town in a big CRV
Its a bit boring - not funky at all
Its not a mini

The criteria for another car:
Our budget is about £10k-£12k
Im not so keen on a Merc or Beamer - nothing against them, I just dont see myself driving one at the moment
I don't want a Volkswagen as I had a Golf last year and after £30k miles, the gearbox blew up so Iv been put right off Volkswagen for the time being
I want something with a wee bit of power
But then again, I dont want something with too big an engine as the Clio is terrible on fuel economy when driving around town/on back roads.
Also looking for something which wont cost too much to tax and insure.

I dont want much now do I?!

What do you's think?

TIA,
Jen

[renmure]

Mini gets my vote. I have had a couple. I wouldn't get too hung up on whether it was a One or a Cooper unless you are really looking to rag it all the time. The boot is indeed very small and I don't imagine the back seats would be a particularly great place to spend a lot of time. I think they are great wee cars and really enjoy having it and driving it. We had the last Mini for 3 years and did about 35k miles in it. It came with the tcl service pack which ment that over the 3 years the running costs were limited to fuel and a set of tyres. It actually kept its value fairly well too. I would be disappointed it this one costs much more.

When looking for a Mini replacement in October he only other car I looked at was a Fiat 500 Cabrio which is also a funky wee car (I would have bought one had the dealer not been an Ass) but in retrospect I am glad we stuck with another Mini.

[AJT]

If you fancy a Mini take a look at the Clubman will have a bit more space.
We are going to take a look at this over the weekend Mini Clubman as Gwen fancies something diffent to replace the Fiesta

[Mikie711]

Just sold our CRV 2.2 Exec. They are fully loaded and do exactly what you would expect of a mid sized soft roader. Very good reliable car in the 3 years we owned. But here's the rub, I don't miss it at all. Nothing about the car made me want another one, even though it was cheap to run, never put a foot wrong, it was as dull as a barrel of bricks. Kinda sums up Honda's in general, very good for of transport but no passion.

Buy a mini, I mean it's not like you need it for towing or anything .

[DDtB]

I'd go for the CRV... it's an excellent compliment to the Elise imho.

As for the Mini Clubman... it should never have been allowed to be sold in this country. Apart from the fact it looks sh*t... there's only one rear door - which is fine in Europe where it opens onto the pavement, but in this country it opens onto the road. How did that get past H&S then eh?!?! And why does everyone buy it in jobby brown??

Everytime I pass a Clubman I have an overwhelming urge to shout abuse!!!!! Is that just me?!?!

In fact, the standard Mini isn't much better.... what exactly is 'mini' about it.... it's huge!!! (and the boot is pathetically small for the size of it too. Terribly designed use of space.. all form over function!!)


moan moan complain moan

[Mike Scib]

Are all CRV's 4 wheel drive? I know some of these pretend 4x4's are not?

My money....120d

[DavieK]

Are all CRV's 4 wheel drive? I know some of these pretend 4x4's are not?

My money....120d

120 is real nippy from what i remember ... i test drove one a few years back and quite liked it but it wasnt in my opinion big enough for shipping kids about.


not that you mentioned kids

[Mikie711]

CRV's aren't true 4x4, it only kicks in when it detects lack of grip at the front, and it ain't suttle about it when it does. But it does work after a fashion.

[robin]

Heated seats are great.

I don't like the minis very much, but perhaps that's because I'm old enough to have owned a proper mini and have fond memories of that.

The Honda is obviously dull - too dull for you

My advice ... keep looking. Can you get a subaru legacy in that price bracket? They're proper 4WD, though no doubt hideous fuel economy ...

Cheers,
Robin

[Stumpy Nugget]

Like robin I am not a fan of minis ( too expensive for what you get )... The CRV 4x4 is the pensioners weapon of choice these days. I would suggest keep looking also. What about the Alfa Brera... http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1404696.htm ... Not many around.

[RDH]

Currently our stable contains an Elise and a 2.2 diesel Honda CRV.
The Honda's not the most exciting drive in the world, but it's comfy, takes all the baby gear, gets up her folks farm road (not really a road - tractor tracks through a field is a better description)
Dull as dishwater, but a comfortable, relaible soft-roader.

[Dominic]

I'd go for the CRV... it's an excellent compliment to the Elise imho.

As for the Mini Clubman... it should never have been allowed to be sold in this country. Apart from the fact it looks sh*t... there's only one rear door - which is fine in Europe where it opens onto the pavement, but in this country it opens onto the road. How did that get past H&S then eh?!?! And why does everyone buy it in jobby brown??

Everytime I pass a Clubman I have an overwhelming urge to shout abuse!!!!! Is that just me?!?!

In fact, the standard Mini isn't much better.... what exactly is 'mini' about it.... it's huge!!! (and the boot is pathetically small for the size of it too. Terribly designed use of space.. all form over function!!)


moan moan complain moan

You'll soon get use to the size of the Honda. Not really that much bigger that the average car. As others have said, mini is not that 'mini', in fact it's wheel base is longer the landrover discovery! Yet it has awful packaging which means for no rear space, and no usable boot to speak of. Some still like it's looks, inside or out, while others hate it- guess that's down to personal taste.

Who suggested the clubmunter? Really??? Get a grip!!!!

HRV would deffo the best companion to the elise

[meatball]

Civic Type R......old shape?

[j2 lot]

Alfa Mito?

[Corranga]

You going for the wierdest 2 cars for a short list ever award?

I'm a real Mini man so I totally agree with anyone saying it's not Mini / boot space is crap etc, and the clubman disgraces the name and looks terrible (and what IS with the brown thing?!) but I see the new one as a decent homage to the original car.

I reckon you have to decide what you want. Do you enjoy driving, do you want something that will set your transportation world alight etc.
Then apply it to the pros and cons.

Maybe a Mini with the rear seats permenantly folded down for brass duties is your answer.
Maybe you are happy with the stereotypical must be a mum in a '4x4' look and blending into the background.
Maybe you really want something that stands out a bit, is fun and fast, lots of storage space and provides a spare engine. like a Civic Type R
Or maybe an Alfa GT diesel...

Me? I own an S1 and a classic Mini. Practicality is not a word I understand.

If it was down to Mini vs CRV it would have to be the Mini simply because the Mini is, well something. It stands out, they look cool inside and out are fun and decent value (when you consider selling / residual values).
Look at the responses in this thread, people are actually being passionate about them. Ok, some love them, some don't but the best thing said about the CRV is probably 'a comfortable, reliable soft-roader' though they missed 'though you'd loose it at the post office on pension days'

Apologies

Chris