<p>I did not get the S when I got my mini because I was afraid I would get too many, ummm, personal notes from our local police!!! Too much temptation!</p>
<p>:)</p>
<p>Yes again to the Mini Cooper. For a fun and more afforable convertible than the BMW/Lexis lines is the new VW Eos-- a hard-top convertible. It’s a bit bigger than the small convertibles, seats 4 comfortably, is nicely appointed on the inside…</p>
<p>The early Boxsters had some serious engine defects so if he is looking at one check to see if the engine has been replaced by the factory. The engine was changed from a 2.5 to a 2.7 in the 2000 model was much improved and won’t cost much more. Even better is a 2000 Boxster S model. A magazine called Excellence does periodic market price and other factors analysis of all Porsche models. He should find the last update on the Boxsters and read it carefully. Mistakes can be VERY expensive. Also have any car checked by an expert Porsche mechanic. There are many in the Bay area.</p>
<p>He could go for a 911 instead (like my husband did)!!!</p>
<p>My husband’s partner just bought a new 911! (So far, he is admirably resisting the temptation. I keep telling him…be strong, we have college bills coming up…lol!)</p>
<p>The solstice has a very coarse engine and got a not so great review in consumer reports. neg on the solstice or saturn whatever it is (same car)</p>
<p>For 22k I’d pick up a used Subaru WRX STi or Mitsu Evo. As good as the Porsche if not better. Not as much of a status symbol for the average joe but real gear heads will drool over those cars. Plus they come in 4 door if I’m not mistaken.</p>
<p>and who cares about mustangs? they look okay but they are soo heavy! Ford can’t get away from steel blocks. Outdated crap. An Sti or Evo would eat a mustang cobra anywhere but maybe on the drag strip. I won’t even go into mpg on a cobra because you get like…uhh…none.</p>
<p>churchmusicmom - a mini convertible? My d’s DREAM car…lol! She would be so envious of you!</p>
<p>The issue of Excellence for the Boxster report is 9/2006. He can order the issue here.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.excellence-mag.com/back_issues.html[/url]”>http://www.excellence-mag.com/back_issues.html</a></p>
<p>I’ll second the Mini Cooper S – I’ve had mine for 9 months now, and still love it. Sometimes I let my H drive it, too. And the best perk is one I hadn’t anticipated – my boys now plan trips home so they can drive it. :)</p>
<p>Have to say…Mustangs seem to be the favorite car of every new teenage driver in these parts…too common to be any fun. But my brother had the most beautiful 66 Shelby…and I met my husband when he drove up in his 68 lipstick red Camaro SS. Hot as Paris would say.</p>
<p>Hey cgm…maybe the hubby needs to go the classic car route. ;)</p>
<p>We were looking at the Mini Cooper, just want to do our part as far as gas is concerned, my kids think they are cute and adorable. I’m ok with it, not terrible excite or non-excite either. My husband used to race cars in colleges and think it’s a cool car.</p>
<p>We have had a Mini Cooper S for almost four years now. It’s been reliable AND fun to drive. Very easy to park. Front seats are okay, back seats are only for the young and flexible. The catch has been–the only catch, really–that there aren’t many dealers, so it can be difficult to get the regular service done (it hasn’t needed any non-regular service).</p>
<p>DD wants a little car (is buying mostly herself) but I am insisting on only the cars with the absolute top crash test rating. Is this reasonable?</p>
<p>my parents got my sister a honda accord for her 16th birthday. It is a 2-door so it’s pretty tiny and it has excellent crash test ratings. she’s gotten into like 7 or 8 accidents (mostly fender-benders, but 2 or 3 major ones) and it is still in good condition and functioning perfectly today (4 years later).</p>
<p>UCgradmary, maybe your daughter could try a Honda. If she doesn’t like the Accord then the other Honda models are equally reliable.</p>
<p>Perhaps you can relate to your H my poor decision. I got rid of my normal car and bought a Honda S2K two summers ago. Love it until winter came along. So I went and got a Mini Cooper S but kept the S2K as well. Love it too until I had to drive my D to college last Fall. So now I also have a Forrester on top of the other two.</p>
<p>At some point, a guy might deserve to get that Boxter. (I know that day is coming at our house - H has very patiently waited, knowing the timing is not right, but eventually all that college WILL be paid for). We did take an interum step, though, and bought an extra car that comes in handy when all 4 (and soon to be 5) drivers need a vehicle. A used little convertible roadster. It appeases H in the meantime and we all enjoy it in turns. But it’s not a daily driver as a rule. </p>
<p>I confess, though, with the end of my car pooling days in sight, a part of me has a hankering for a fun little sports car. Seriously, once the youngest starts driving, why will I need a back seat? Hmmm…have you checked out the new TTs? VERY nice.</p>
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<p>EXACTLY! We ordered the mini convertible one week after taking our youngest up to NYC for her first year of college! As I told H when we were test-driving the car, “this will go a LONG way towards easing the empty nest thing!!!”. And it did!</p>
<p>Bonus: none of my adult kids really know how to drive a standard trans, so they don’t drive it! :)</p>
<p>The mini standard transmission is actually quite easy to drive - I was surprised. We test drove a couple, but I opted for the automatic. My sons were diasppointed - they wanted standard. It does have the little paddle shifters, but after 3 years driving clutch in Germany, I have no desire to shift. I did have desire for a quick pick up, though, which is why we got the Sport. Merging onto 85 directly into the HOV lane coming home from D’s violin lesson makes me appreciate it every week!</p>
<p>I am jealous of your convertible, though. I didn’t get one; insurance was too high. I have to make do with my sun roof.</p>
<p>^I’m with you but I think H wants a transmission. Mini Cooper, not S(too hot and sunny here) is a perfect car for around town but not long distance.</p>
<p>dogwood - sounds like my house. My husband has always been so generous, putting ME in the nicest cars all the while working hard and driving his pitiful company car bought years ago when that little exec perk was phased out. I told him it is HIS turn…to be spontaneous and ‘go for it’. (But since we do have all that college expense and one kid still to go, I was thinking more like Nissan Z or BMW Z4 ‘go for it’, not Porsche 911 ‘go for it’.) Ever the practical man, he’s conceded to buying a new car, but is still thinking sedan. What can I say…he’s a typical Taurus…sigh! ;)</p>