I like the mini, but you do pay a lot for the 'image'.

A 5/6 year old Fiesta Zetec is probably a better bet and I quite like them...

 

You're probably right, and to be fair, it has become tiring listening to the list of things that seem to go wrong.So I've more or less given up on the idea.
Fiesta, yes, or Focus.

 

The Focus is a decent car in general, but the base models have awful seats is all I know from experience.

 

Funny how that was always the way with Fraud; the difference between a Cortina L & GL was astounding. The rest of the car was still really crap though.

 

CHap at work has a 1.4 or 1.6D, (can't remember which) fiesta ( new shape) he's given it utter death for the last 2 years and it still goes well, inside has stood up to the battering too and it handles really well. I'd take one over a Focus.

 

I hate the way so many have alloy wheels & rear drum brakes. Looks shit.

Fraud cheapskatedness rears its head again...

 

Only brand new/almost new. No complaints whatsoever. An 03 is outside of my experience but it's eleven years old at the end of the day so will need to be treated with the caution you'd apply to any car of that age. The cars don't seem to wear that well - my sis has a 10 plate Cooper bought ex demo and it's developing more and more faults despite being properly looked after. Try a Fiesta. I think they ride better, handle as well but are just a tad down on power. Then again, if you are talking about an 03, I wouldn't have a clue. S-type Jags otoh, now they are my current weakness.

 

I had steelies on the One I bought new below. I thought they looked really good and much better than the (optional) alloys.

[attachment=46891:mini1.jpg]

 

I had a Mini Cooper for a brief time and it has got to be one of the worst cars I have ever driven.

The suspension was rock hard making an uncomfortable ride.

 

I was referring to the Fraud Fester & Focitall. I'm unsure any MINIs have drums.

But I agree - MINIs need to be ordered in the plainest spec possible; the blingy specs were at first cool, but now look a bit old tart.

ATEOTD they are essentially a British design with a Peugeot-based engine. They're unlikely to age brilliantly.

Just like Shed Rovers.