Talking Cars with Consumer Reports #33: Mini Cooper | Consumer Reports

[@Elisa2005_]

If you are going to complain about space on a mini, come on, its not about space or price, its a mini cooper wake up

[@kmabike718]

Ok.... these guy are ridiculous. They want to make a Camry out of a Mini!!! They complain about what actually makes a Mini cool!!!. The dude with the checkered shirt actually complained he couldn't find a place for his doggy bag!!! Really??? No its not a quote "family car". Buy a freakin mini van if you want those attributes in a vehicle. Im 6'4'' 265lbs and get in and out of the car with ease. Drove it from Florida and I'm 57 yrs old!!! I dont have a problem with my big hands fumbling with controls. What else does that dude fumble with??? I own a 2013 Clubman S. and its my daily. I still love m y E38 BMW and I dont want to put mnor e miles on it. But guy

[@JohnSmith-bv3bn]

Purchased a new, 2015 Cooper S, with cold weather package and upgraded rims for 24k even. In all fairness, I think these guys were a little hard on the value this car offers. Cars I compared to the Mini were the Fiesta st, Focus st, WRX, and GTI. All of these cars with the exception of the Fiesta were at least 28k, with the Fiesta being 23k. Withstanding the price advantage, with the cooper you're getting a baby bimmer, and it really is a premium feeling car - something these guys touched on in their review. It feels 10k more expensive than the fiesta, 5k more than the focus and wrx, and slightly edges out the VW (the most expensive of the group). The Fiesta/Focus might be more lively, and the WRX and VW might be faster on paper, but imo the best choice for a daily driver is a basic Cooper S.

[@76carmel]

Mini van, Jon? If one wants a MINI with a family, get a MINI Countryman.

[@canamsteve5321]

I'm also a PT Cruiser fan and owner. Mind you, I bought a used 2005 (before Chrysler cheapened it) and a top-end Turbo. It's a second car. But having rented probably a dozen over the years, I was sold on its practicality. The styling is a bit much, but I can fit in tiny parking spots, put 2X4 studs in with the hatch shut, or carry two adult passengers in the rear seat with luggage (I'm 6'2" but there's still lots of space behind me). Try that in a Mini. It's only got 75K miles on it, but not a spot of trouble. And I have owned BMW 330, Audi A4, VW Passat, Volvo XC60, etc. So (as always) for the buck, it had more than enough bang

[@Buc_Stops_Here]

They have gotten better as they film these - actually entertaining to watch. Thanks for taking the time to film and post.

[@adambair4055]

I loved my Mini, but they are stupid expensive to fix if they are out of warranty...

[@amill1563]

I heard the words hell, crack, crap, and nipple. I think people are expecting more professionalism from Consumer Reports

[@Statimtek]

I find it a bit disappointing that being this is Consumer Reports they don't talk about reliability issues or the cost of parts for the Mini(or any car for that matter).It's like a dirty secret that you will have to pay through the nose for parts. Over 2 grand to R&R the clutch? Ouch! For a review magazine,that people look to to help them make a educated decision on which car to purchase, that should be at least mentioned in passing.Sure, when you are looking at luxury cars like the Benz,BMW, Audi etc it's a given but in this segment that would be nice to get input on what you will be in for after you plunk your money down.

[@ctsfiddler]

+Statimtek you are absolutely right. Comsumer reports should be on top of that info, the Mini means being married to the dealer as far as reliability is concerned and it's not even mentioned.

[@CoyoteMan50]

I very much enjoy the give and take of the CR engineers. They are passing on lots of really good information about cars that people don't pay attention too. Thanks for your talks. It's so great hearing what real car people say.

[@davidcurtiswatts2378]

Re: Mini Cooper. Wake up boys. This thing is supposed to be a driving machine with panache that's as much fun as a porsche for a fraction of the cost. The Germans might be building it right now, but this thing is a British Icon. It's genetics are British through and through. Me thinks you've missed the point. You do better when you review toasters.

[@davidcurtiswatts2378]

***** Yep, we know. My Dad had one when I was a kid. Built by British Leyland with all the build quality for which they were famous. Despite that, it went round corners as though on rails and because all occupants were so low to the ground, there was a kind of 'ground rush' effect. The most fun anyone could ever have in a tin can.

[@EdwardTheMortgageGuy]

Ryan is very easy on the eyes... Lol good addition.

[@karmamule]

I have to confess to a bit of a nerdy crush on Tom too. :)

[@emjayay]

Eddie Yasi Doesn't talk much, seems nice and sweet and.....he's 6'2. But in later episodes he disappears. Booooo CR.

[@KallMeKG]

Yeah hes hot. How do you spell his last name?

[@jimmelay71]

Thank you for turning Gabe's microphone up.

[@x1pyroveride]

it seems like they barely say anything positive, As a mini enthusiasts, the mini is very practical maybe not if you have 5 kids but when i was younger i had a 2005 mini and would easily get all my friend in it. one was 6"2', 5"10', and i had a "wide" friend and i 5"4' they all fit comfortable, a little cramped but it wasnt too bad. It was about the same in my 1973 Mini. I'll eventually get the bmw mini MK3 f56. but everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

[@abovethuniverse]

I got a mini that was leased for 3 years with only 20k miles for 14k dollars, so hop on those deals. Its been 4 years now and still loving it.

[@mx5hong]

Regarding the new Mini's trunk, you can get it with a false floor so you have a completely flat floor with the rear seats down. But of course since it's a Mini, the false floor is an option.

[@Jordan-we3eu]

Very entertaining. Keep it up!

[@Kev50027]

Agree about the Cooper S. It's a city car now, not a sports car.

[@davidc-l9174]

The video lost all credibility when they started talking about the MINI not being large enough or practical enough. Oh yeah, and then they bitched about the price of the cars. There are few small cars that are fun to drive, I mean truly fun to drive. All of them are expensive. Sure, the MINI is a bit less practical than some of them due to its more diminutive size, but by no means is it impractical. However small the boot may be, you can still cram a lot in because it's a hatchback. I do not own a MINI, by the way. Basically, these guys are bitching about the car like a group of old men, and in the process they're completely missing the point of a MINI. And considering how many of them are on the road, there are clearly people who do understand why this car is built.

[@davidc-l9174]

And I'll add that, no matter what features, options, equipment, etc. the non-German makers add to their vehicles, they still don't feel like the German cars. A Kia Forte is nicer than a base model Jetta? Get the hell out of here. These guys are nuts. The forte, even in its most expensive trim, still feels like a tin can. I know because we had a current-gen Forte. We've also owned a couple Jettas.

[@chicky4444]

I Agree with you and i actually do own a 2014 Orange and BLK Mini Cooper S HardTop. I 💖my Mini! I can also see stop lights and im 6ft tall. sooooo, yeah.

[@fatboy19831]

Mini should have a MINI VAN............. Something VW bus like.

[@videowsatcher]

there is, or at least was until the recent generation- Mini Clubman Clubvan

[@turbochargedchilipepper4253]

You are a moron

[@CoyoteMan50]

How about a girl in a mini-skirt? lol

[@TheSpiker4sure]

Lots of comments regarding the "loss of fun to drive" in German cars. I agree, I just rebuilt my 2003 A8 for the second time because the newer models just don't have the "magic". BTW, loved the mention of the old 1983 Quattro R.

[@carolwhite3460]

Are the engine better than the old one 2015. Are the 2017,18 19 engine gotten much better. And worth buying now.

[@NickBond007]

Is an SUV a better choice for a teenager who has just started to drive? I personally personally prefer my mothers SUV to my dads sedan and it is easier for me to drive it but is that true across the market or would a lower car be a better choice for a first time driver?

[@coffeekhan]

We purchased a Honda Civic for our boys to drive. We have re-thought that decision. My second son will drive my Rav4, mostly because it is easier to see out of, has a rear view camera, and in my opinion, drives better on the freeway. Buy a Forester if you really want your teenager to be able to see all around.

[@jesknow]

I've got a 2003 cooper S and honestly... I like the aircraft like switches and giant speedo.... No other car has it and trying to turn a unique car into a BMW 1/2 series sucks. But to each be his own...

[@BuffMyRadius]

***** I have an '03 Cooper S as well. I have driven a friend's '09 Cooper S and it wasn't near as much fun as my Mini but it was significantly more refined. I have had some issues with my car but mine was definitely abused. I knew that getting in and got an insane deal on the price so I'm still happy with my choice to buy one. If you like Minis no other car can really satisfy the "want" for the Mini lifestyle. The newer Minis have definitely diluted the fan base but be prepared for people driving older "S" models to wave at you and want to chat about your car. The car can be a bit pricey but the friends that come along with it a priceless!

[@toddrobertson1398]

moving the huge speedometer and not having the toggle switches is a mini thing they these guys obviously don't understand lol I'll keep my older mini as long as possible

[@aronnepiperno]

+Todd Robertson unbelievable. The R56 instrument panel was a state of art and then...they completely wasted for that shitty infotaiment system

[@DaveJCR]

That SS sounds fantastic. I had a PT Cruiser once... for about two months.

[@RealtimeReviews613]

11:00 they talk about "german engineering" and how good they are yet they are unreliable expensive to maintain so why go on about how "well made they are"

[@robbeard4648]

Realtime Reviews I’m here in 2019 and mini is among the most reliable brands in the world

[@bhangraman7000]

I agree with you that cars in the 70's and 80's sucked. But I actually think that the w123 and w126 Mercedes were actually great cars. A lot of 300D's have exceeded half a million miles and the interior trim and solidity is second to none. Those motors were bulletproof and they were amazingly well built cars.

[@conceptcs]

I am a car freak and I think driving a camry as a daily driver is great. I would see myself with one as a DD. but in my garage I'm going to have cars like the FR-S or 370z parked next to my camry for weekend and occasional fun.

[@DavidRynda]

Homer chasing Ned with the Golf Clubs was a Geo: The simpsons terminator ENGLISH version

[@impreza2010drifty]

One of the topics you guys should do is what is your opinion on Subaru direction with their products?

[@pedrof830]

great show. loved the ending!

[@coffeekhan]

Excellent! I like the attitude at the end! I also liked the section on "German engineering." Diluted and over-complicated? Interesting. Keep these videos coming, guys!

[@emmav.24]

The show was about the mini cooper or about every other car that isn't a mini cooper...?

[@manthony225]

Mini has jumped the shark. Reminds me of how GM had a decent thing going with Saturn in the early 90's and then diluted the brand.

[@KallMeKG]

I just bought a 2014 Cooper S with 6k miles on it for $26,700. If I went and ordered one new I would of spend $35,800!!!! They can be picey!

[@Mr5Stars]

Is it me or did you guys got a better camera? This episode looks better

[@flowerguides]

You guys should drive off every show ending. Looks funny

[@robertwilliams6218]

Love the ending!! Any opinions from you guys on The VW Tiguan. After watching this episode and mentioning German engineering is the Tiguan a good value? I see it is a recommended pick, but does the price make it a bad buy? How about used and how loaded with tech should one go? Base model with less electronics more reliable?

[@robertwilliams6218]

I want to thank all the hosts for their inputs on the Tiguan on Talking Cars #34. I did buy a Tiguan Se 4motion. I love it so far and love that it is basically an AWD golf.

[@NeoFGD]

I'm a huge fan of your show. I find it to be very informative and a bit witty to keep things interesting. I could use some advice, if you can. I'm looking to buy a new car, hopefully very soon as my birthday is coming up. Currently, I drive what might have been listed on your "Cars to Avoid" episode had it not been updated last year: a 2012 Honda Civic LX that I was forced into leasing after my 2003 Corolla gave out. (Off topic: I now see why it was trashed by almost every auto publication) My friends and family tell me to buy another small car since it's just me driving, but having owned a Corolla and now the Civic, I want something with more features (I didn't realize how frustrated I'd be that the 2012 Civic LX didn't have Bluetooth, backup camera or a temperature display until I drove cars that had both), quieter, more comfortable and roomier, especially since the Mazda 6 and Honda Accord get very similar fuel economy. I commute to school and/or work about 40-50 miles round trip every day, with long distance trips to California once every few months. The rough roads I drive over really expose the road noise, unfiltered ride and tin box feel of my Civic, and it gets tiring. I've been test driving midsize sedans for the past few months, and I've narrowed it down to the 6 Sport and Accord LX. (Off topic again: the Altima and Camry felt too cheap; unsure about Ford and GM's short and long term reliability to consider a Fusion/Malibu, wasn't that impressed by Optima/Sonata/Passat) I like the 6's style, driving performance and more exclusivity but the Accord has better visibility, more features and to me, it felt a bit more substantial. The Accord has been your Top Pick in midsize sedans for 2 years, but almost every other car publication has the 6 beating the Accord. For a daily driver that I'm going to keep until it dies, what would you suggest between the two and why? And would it be worth waiting on the 2015 Sonata, Camry and/or Legacy?

[@MrLalasd]

Lol nice ending.

[@Buc_Stops_Here]

The Mini is a "boy racer. " It is for those who won't get a BMW but pay close to base BMW prices to get that kind of car. Familes in a mini? You have to be kidding.

[@brandonmarrero8201]

hey guys im 16 years old and my dad is fixing up a car for my 17th birthday its a 1999 dodge stratus 4 cylinder, wanted to know if its a good first car? any thoughts?

[@PaulTC97]

Brandon Marrero it has lots of mitsubishi parts so i think its good

[@banstaman]

Ryan's really cute, can he stay on the show?

[@Brian-Burke]

Awesome ending.

[@JTreetop]

I'm in the market for a new car. I want to buy another Accord V6 sedan because I manage to get over 300k miles before it was totaled out and proved to be very reliable over 14 years. What's the difference between an Accord and a Passat and what would recommend between the two?

[@SandmanPoetEmani]

Big difference is build quality and style preferences in addition to powerplant differences, do you want turbo or family friendly? That will make the decision easier.

[@bensullivan5414]

We have a 2013 Accord V6. Love it because it's roomy, surprisingly quick, and rides well with lower wind noise.

[@JMay-og6mr]

Stay away v6 engine honda, they got problems with transmission.

[@WoZIMoo]

The difference? The Accord is reliable. If you're the type that keeps cars up to 300k miles forget VW. And yes I've owned 3 and know many many people who have owned VWs and none complimented their reliability.

[@kc5077]

Live dangerously, I vote for the Passat TDI manual.

[@andresfresa123]

I'm getting my sport mini Monday

[@GRSEMETROMALL]

Just buy a R53

[@rswstudios]

Lol great show the end was amazing :'-)

[@trythinkingforachange4201]

not really, more like meh!

[@philipmannino6689]

They missed the point of what a mini s was supposed to be

[@eltonjohn3236]

I demand Jon retract and apologize for saying "nipple."

[@hunterjenkins7697]

I feel like these dudes barely had anything positive to say about the Mini, I just bought a 2014 Mini I've had it for a week and a half and I love it! Coming over from a VW Jetta and a 1984 Dodge RamCharger I absolute love how my mini handles the controls ect. I don't know why space is a huge issue I can fit quite a bit in there and my 2 Siberian huskies. 😂

[@Madi1231kitty]

Hunter Jenkins I’m getting mine in a week, so do you still love it??

[@CoyoteMan50]

Love the way you guys poke fun at Camry but hey I don't remember studying "panache" "soul" or "verve" at auto mechanics school. Where do you put the panache, by the way? lol

[@ellomirza]

Well played.

[@RealtimeReviews613]

WHAT ABOUT THE 2015 HYUNDAI GENESIS

[@giljoy2]

Comments like from people like TurboCharged ChlilPepper make me wonder if the negative comments have actually driven the Mini 2014 Hardtop. I bought the 2014 after test driving the 2011 and 2012, and the 2014 is just as fast if not faster, handles just as well. And the extra room inside makes it a lot more livable for everyday use. This is the best S ever. And as far being bigger, it is ONLY 4.5" longer! Look at your ruler - 4.5" is nothing.

[@Madi1231kitty]

I’m getting mine in a week, do you still love it???

[@fatboy19831]

German Engineering? Stop. Going up a hill. Park. Open your door all the way. If you can step out without getting your leg chopped off. You most likely have a German car. German Engineering? Drive the most basic BMW AWD X1. Drive any 2014 Lexus. 98% chance you will enjoy driving the X1 more.

[@MaxHuth]

German Engineering: Mercedes-Benz

[@jmc6000]

Driving the SS is fine because it is just as boring from the outside just like the Camry.

[@Teenitesy]

PC Cruiser: Uhuugglay.

[@C172Pilotdude]

My 2009 Mini cooper was fun but is definitely a car to avoid. Overpriced and terribly unreliable.

[@robinr2929]

Let's say I am the 30,000 millionaire from Texas or as called by another reviewer the high school girl. I want to have a fun to drive car and yet friendly to my 8- and 10-year olds. The question for me is S3 or A4. I appreciate your input.

[@irisfailsafe]

That is a red too red for a Toyota... I was right

[@rob3071]

Am I watching "The View" or a car review?

[@markleaning107]

Can't put leftovers behind seat what the fking hell what are these talking about

[@jakeh422]

Really? I don't know why I even listen to these guys when they constantly give any Tesla high marks. Telsa is a lame ass car. It is not reliable and not even fun to drive. For the same price or less you can have more fun cars to drive that are practical. Case and point, I think the MINI is a cool car and I've been thinking about buying one. Consumer Reports are about us the consumer... not you 4 ding dongs that seem to disappoint me constantly. And when the nerd in the checked shirt said it "pissed him the hell off"... 1. Dude, you piss me the hell off LOL. REMEMBER THE MINI IS NOT A FAMILY CAR!

[@cobra2079]

Lmao, these guys deserve some pedicures!

[@RigoDayu]

Tooooooooooooo muuuuuuuuuch talking

[@brian-gd5ro]

Ridiculous

[@turbochargedchilipepper4253]

Consumer Reports doesn't know jack about cars. They like this new Cooper, eventhough it's slower, uglier, more expensive, softer, less precise, and has no engine or exhaust noise. CR sucks.

[@turbochargedchilipepper4253]

The only guy that knows jack is Ryan

[@searaydrivingguy]

2004 to 2006 s model or jcw were glory years for the mini supercharged only fuck non s models they are gutless and wimpy

[@dizzyknutsak9462]

Fucking money pits

[@CoyoteMan50]

If I hear 1 more phony Motor Trend review about how ginchy this car and that car is I'm going to take up drugs and alcohol. :)) :))