Automobile Magazine Names MINI as One of the Best 12 Used Cars (with help from MF)
Automobile Magazine has a great piece in this month’s magazine that details 12 of it’s favorite used car deals. But why is it great? Ok it may have something to do with the website they used as a source for the article. Here’s an excerpt:
>The current version of the new Mini is bigger, faster, more refined, and better engineered than its predecessor. But it was the original car, introduced in the States in 2002, that inspired a grassroots eruption of Mini mania, and its smiley-face charisma and go-kart performance promise to make it an enduring cult hero. “It will be a classic,” says Gabriel Bridger, founder of MotoringFile.com, one of the country’s most authoritative Mini Web sites. “It brought sportiness and efficiency to the masses, and it’s authentic in a way that modern cars aren’t. It will be one of the last mass-produced cars to have a vintage-car feel.”
The interview that we did for the article was thorough and the author (Preston Lerner) was able to create a concise four paragraph piece that hit most of the high points of the R50/R53 ownership.
+ 12 Used All-Stars / Automobile
<p>Nice Kudos yo you Gabe and MF, you the best… RB</p>
<p>You know the REAL classic will be the 2002 that everyone disses so badly!! I have an early 2002 with 150K+ on it with no issues. It has the early spring rates and is an intense little car that loves to be flung up and down mountain passes.</p>
<p>Everyone needs to stop hating on the 2002!!!</p>
<p>I drove my pal’s R56 this weekend and it re-affirmed my decision to go back to the R52 from an ’07 JCW. I’m not trying to stir this whole thing up but the above statement is so true.</p>
<p>Not gonna lie, after reading the whole article I kinda want a Boxster. The pre facelift models I never was fond of tho.</p>
<p>I found the article last Friday while I was having some new tires installed at Discount Tire. Nice comments Gabe; you make me proud to be a long time R53 owner.</p>
<p>That was a great article and I was proud to see motoringfile take the lead in it.</p>
<p>I was also amazed at the MINI’s cross-page friend- the E46. Especially after knowing that Gabe now has the ZHP and that of all of the used cars I’m looking at for my soon expanding family it is also the E46.</p>
<p>Awesome. My R50 lives up to its reputation daily. Smiles after 5 years. Incredible! And no worries, I’m NOT selling my MINI. Ever.</p>
<p>Te article right on the money about the CVT transmissions and early manual transmissions. Both are weak points to look for when buying used. The best advice is to get a warranty or insurance to avoid big repair bills. A clutuch or transmission job is at least 7 hours labour.</p>
<p>Congrats Gabe! Keep up the good work!</p>
<p>Also right on the mark about MINI performance against the bigger cars. I occasionally enjoy surprising larger cars that seem overly self-confident about beating my standard ’02 MCS at the traffic lights, but end up surprised and/or frustrated when the MINI comes out ahead in acceleration and curve-hugging go kart-like handling. The large range of the first gear catches them out every time before chaging switching to second or third near the speed limit.</p>
<p>I get this mag. Saw your quote. Great job.</p>
<p>GregW – good advice for anyone buying used. Had a couple of people in our MINI Club with CVTs that self-destructed at about 60K miles. Repair bill was over $7 grand on each.</p>
<p>MINI R50/R53 finished at bottom 5 in AutoExpress DRIVER POWER 2009 <a href="http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/235309/driver_power_2009_bottom_5_revealed.html" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/235309/driver_power_2009_bottom_5_revealed.html</a></p>
<p>Ah, yes the R53 is the better MINI when it comes to the driver’s experience.
Owning one of each I have to say, the new version appeals to the masses and that is the down fall of a once great experience.
Now, it hugs corners and goes fast but, it is just another marshmallow ride, from the drivers point of view.</p>
<p>Well said. Mini are you listening? Please consider returning to the original steering set up of the R53/52/50. And shrink it up again for crying out loud.</p>