Well- I did it- I sold my xB and ordered a Mini
10-19-2005, 10:25 PM
#3
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Re: Well- I did it- I sold my xB and ordered a Mini
Originally Posted by dgboggs
Yep- went and drove a Mini over the weekend, and ordered. I found a man who wanted my xB very badly, so I sold it today 
10-19-2005, 10:34 PM
#6
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Re: Well- I did it- I sold my xB and ordered a Mini
Originally Posted by dgboggs
Yep- went and drove a Mini over the weekend, and ordered. I found a man who wanted my xB very badly, so I sold it today
10-19-2005, 11:07 PM
#8
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Good luck with that. I drove my wife's friend's mini, not an S, and wasn't that impressed. it was definitely smoother ride and shifting than my xB but didn't think it handled any better than mine with the few suspension mods I've got. And the clincher is that she's now looking at buying a roof rack so they can take enough stuff with them on vacation and there's just two of them in the car...
We've all got different needs, hope it fits yours. I love their shade of Green...
We've all got different needs, hope it fits yours. I love their shade of Green...
10-19-2005, 11:40 PM
#11
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Location: Sparks, NV
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Originally Posted by rdclark
Good luck with that European *cough* quality.
RichC
RichC
I'm trying to sell my 2003 MINI Cooper and then buy a xB. Good luck with yours.
10-20-2005, 12:57 AM
#15
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Being a fan of old British cars (sorry it's a defective gene I inherited from my dad) I am familiar with both the old body style and new style Mini. If you ever have opportunity to try one out, the old style mini, you'll find that the xB is a lot closer to the old Mini than the new Mini is.
I like the new Mini for what it is. At a car show earlier this year we had a new Mini sitting next to and old one. Both red with the Brit flag on top. The new one looked like a limosine compared to the old one. The nose and overall shape was more rounded than the original. The old body is square and upright, just like a box. The "Mini Traveler" looks a lot like the xB with the windows, etc.
One nice enhancement abou the new Mini, xB, etc. is that they do not leave their mark on the driveway like the old Brit cars were required to.
Cheers!
I like the new Mini for what it is. At a car show earlier this year we had a new Mini sitting next to and old one. Both red with the Brit flag on top. The new one looked like a limosine compared to the old one. The nose and overall shape was more rounded than the original. The old body is square and upright, just like a box. The "Mini Traveler" looks a lot like the xB with the windows, etc.
One nice enhancement abou the new Mini, xB, etc. is that they do not leave their mark on the driveway like the old Brit cars were required to.
Cheers!
10-20-2005, 01:22 AM
#16
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I came very close to breaking even on the xB- I had it on e-Bay and it sold in 1 day. I wanted a Mini when the first came out, but I knew that the fact it was a new design would make it problematic. So, I waited until the quality got better, and now it has. Plus, now I can "afford" it
The leg room is really good, I'd say as good as the xB. The only drawbacks space-wise:
The foot space. The foot wells are smaller
The back seat is definitely smaller. It's really quite comfortable as long as the person in front of you gives you a few inches. I actually found the back seat of the Mini more comfortable to ride in.
The cargo space, floor wise, is about the same. The only thing that gives the xB more space is the exaggerated-tall square body. More air space.
The ride is SO good- better than my Fathers' Infinity FX35, and the Lexus GS-300 he had before that. The car is damn fun to drive, and it feels heavy (luxurious) and nimble. MPG is pretty much on par with the xB, despite the need for premium. The car is a LOT quicker than the xB.
I also drove the "S", and I just hated it. Too rough and un-forgiving of a ride. The power was nice, but not worth a hit of 5 mpg. Plus, the reliablility is not quite as good with the "S".
I did a LOT of research about this car, and I'm quite comfortable with the purchase, and I'm excited to get it. When I test drove the Mini and then got back into the xB, it was obvious to me.
The Mini is SUCH good quality, and such a great value.
Here is what I got:
2006 Mini Cooper (Chili Red, with red roof and mirrors)
Convenience Package
Cold Weather Package
Sport Package
Premium Package
Center Arm Rest
Upgraded Harmon-Kardon 8 Speaker Audio with amp (OUTSTANDING!)
Chrome-Line Interior
Rear Fog Lamp (so that there is not a toggle missing)
Chrome Sport Pedals (normally ONLY available in the "S")
Custom Black Leather interior with Red stitching
I-Pod Adapter
Carpet Floor Mats and rubber boot mat
Full 30% tint
5 spoke wheels
All told, it will be about 24,500. I can't wait, and I'll be sure to post pics.
The leg room is really good, I'd say as good as the xB. The only drawbacks space-wise:
The foot space. The foot wells are smaller
The back seat is definitely smaller. It's really quite comfortable as long as the person in front of you gives you a few inches. I actually found the back seat of the Mini more comfortable to ride in.
The cargo space, floor wise, is about the same. The only thing that gives the xB more space is the exaggerated-tall square body. More air space.
The ride is SO good- better than my Fathers' Infinity FX35, and the Lexus GS-300 he had before that. The car is damn fun to drive, and it feels heavy (luxurious) and nimble. MPG is pretty much on par with the xB, despite the need for premium. The car is a LOT quicker than the xB.
I also drove the "S", and I just hated it. Too rough and un-forgiving of a ride. The power was nice, but not worth a hit of 5 mpg. Plus, the reliablility is not quite as good with the "S".
I did a LOT of research about this car, and I'm quite comfortable with the purchase, and I'm excited to get it. When I test drove the Mini and then got back into the xB, it was obvious to me.
The Mini is SUCH good quality, and such a great value.
Here is what I got:
2006 Mini Cooper (Chili Red, with red roof and mirrors)
Convenience Package
Cold Weather Package
Sport Package
Premium Package
Center Arm Rest
Upgraded Harmon-Kardon 8 Speaker Audio with amp (OUTSTANDING!)
Chrome-Line Interior
Rear Fog Lamp (so that there is not a toggle missing)
Chrome Sport Pedals (normally ONLY available in the "S")
Custom Black Leather interior with Red stitching
I-Pod Adapter
Carpet Floor Mats and rubber boot mat
Full 30% tint
5 spoke wheels
All told, it will be about 24,500. I can't wait, and I'll be sure to post pics.
10-20-2005, 02:31 AM
#17
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Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Charlotte, NC
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Whoa... The cargo space is much smaller than the xB.. Not even close. The width is not near as wide. I know because everytime I want to take the mini and have to put something in the back, it won't fit. The xB makes great use of space for such a small foot-print.
The mini back seat is worthless, hard to access and if anyone is of normal size in the front, the rear becomes worthless.
The footwell is narrow in the front as you said, my leg rests against the console all the time.
I have the S and it is stiff... but smooth but pot holes are hell!
The regular mini is not as stiff... but you will be jarred on bumpy roads.
The quality of materials are much better on the mini. The sheet metal is very thick and sturdy.. not like the paper thin stuff used on the xB. The interior is also much nicer with so many neat features. The lighting inside and outside the mini is awesome... everything has lights... its not a dark cave like the xB.. but its also more expensive
The mini back seat is worthless, hard to access and if anyone is of normal size in the front, the rear becomes worthless.
The footwell is narrow in the front as you said, my leg rests against the console all the time.
I have the S and it is stiff... but smooth but pot holes are hell!
The regular mini is not as stiff... but you will be jarred on bumpy roads.
The quality of materials are much better on the mini. The sheet metal is very thick and sturdy.. not like the paper thin stuff used on the xB. The interior is also much nicer with so many neat features. The lighting inside and outside the mini is awesome... everything has lights... its not a dark cave like the xB.. but its also more expensive
