[Year's_End]

I'm in the (surprisingly drawn out) process of selling my car, and I'm looking to "downgrade" to something slower, more practical, and not so keen to make me want to push it. This puts the 5.0 out of my shopping list as it was originally my #1 choice. So far I'm considering a MkVI GTi and New Beetle. I'm big on style, so the car has to be either unique (in a good way), or stylistically sound.

That's when I came across a white Countryman 4S in white with black accents. Call me crazy but I love it. Been checking out reviews; it's peppy, but not fast, but most importantly it supposedly handles just like a Mini that's a tad bigger. I want my commutes to be fun, so that's a necessity. And I really can see myself driving this; it's like a butch Mini on 'roids.

I like the Mini Cooper, but it's honestly just too cutesy to interest me. Driven a few, love the way they drive, but I'll never own one. Not interested in many JDM cars. I'm much bigger on Europeans and domestics.

Thoughts? Does anyone here own a Countryman?

TIA

[M3_WC]

I have seen a countryman at a mini dealer, while waiting for my bimmer to get serviced.

I actually kinda like it.

[krnnerdboy]

I have a clubman s and had a r56s, and drove the countrymen...great car. It really feels like a bigger cooper in every way and gets great mileage. If your looking at premium mini suvs how about the q5?

[Davin]

i've come back home to Trinidad for the summer and I've been seeing a lot of them around

[pokerface]

before i clued in i was really confounded by driving beside a Mini that's larger than my E90 LOL

[Year's_End]

Originally Posted by krnnerdboy

I have a clubman s and had a r56s, and drove the countrymen...great car. It really feels like a bigger cooper in every way and gets great mileage. If your looking at premium mini suvs how about the q5?

Great news to me. I'm not too interested in the Q5 for a few reasons actually. For one, this will be a downgrade simply based on the fact that my pricing ceiling will be $30k, and I'm looking for new or very low mileage CPO'd cars. I really just don't think the Q5 is interesting enough for me to own, and I really don't care for its rear or the idea of its crossover/SUV proportions. This Countryman is the first (and probably only) "CUV" I could see myself owning, mainly because it just looks like a blown-up hatch.

I also like the idea of having a 6MT in the Countryman. I won't have to speed to enjoy the car; having fun in my E92 means driving at extra-legal speeds, and it's just getting annoying...and expensive. I won't get into it, but I've got a speeding itch, and my habit for exceeding the posted limits has pushed my insurance to impractical rates forcing me to sell my car, hence the need for something slower for the time being.

I'm open to any suggestions for a car that's ≤30k with four seats, a unique or strong styling statement, and a high fun-to-drive factor. Speed isn't a top priority, but slow is also out of the question. Hate to use 0-60 times as a reference, but anything slower than high 7s is pushing it.

I've been driving an FJ Cruiser for awhile now, and it makes me appreciate cars that create a relaxed driving attitude, but that's obviously on the extreme side of things for me. I need something that's still predominantly sporty more than anything else. I just don't want something that has my right foot begging to go to the floor every two seconds.

[gonzo]

I have more tickets from my MCS than I did from the 335.
Not from doing high speeds but they just scoot around in traffic so well I tend to get nabbed in 30, 35, 40, 45 MPH zones. Damn it.

I never worry about it "sucking gas" because no matter how hard I drive it seems to get 28.8 city. This lends me to mashing the gas a lot.

I have a ticket sitting right next to me. Motorcycle Barney Fife. He was literally hidding behind a bush with his radar hanging out one side of the shrub thing.

[Silver-Bolt]

A co-worker of mine has one. He does outside sales and logs 35k-40k annually. So far he is not real impressed with the build quality. It rattles like crazy inside. Been to the dealer twice with no improvement. Finding one under $30k will be tough.

[Garduna]

The design and exterior look is nice but man that central dash has be punking -_-; It's the one thing that prevents me from ever buying a mini.

[gonzo]

I am happy as can be with mine. 30K and not one issue or rattle.
I read about people having issues with MINI. Grateful I leased a good one.

Since my first car until now, 25 or so and counting, there is one thing I can't and won't tolerate and that is rattles. Even a small come and go rattle will cause me to box the area of noise with my fistisis'.

I have pulled off the road more than once to find and fix a rattle. I think I may have rattle issues.

[john9]

Looks good.Have a great Day!!!

[Artmasterx]

Some options... though it's hard to hit the styling goal in that price range, particularly with 4 usable seats and retaining a sporty character.

Mazdaspeed3 (controversial styling)


2012 Focus ST


2011 WRX sedan (or hatch)


2011 Kia Optima Turbo ()

[Greenkirby21]

Did you drive a gti? That and the mini are the best fun to drive cars IMO.

[daheechang]

new widebody wrx's are so beautiful

[Year's_End]

Originally Posted by Artmasterx

Some options... though it's hard to hit the styling goal in that price range, particularly with 4 usable seats and retaining a sporty character.

Mazdaspeed3 (controversial styling)


2012 Focus ST


2011 WRX sedan (or hatch)


2011 Kia Optima Turbo ()

'Preciate the suggestions, but I've considered them and can't really warm up to them.

The MS3 is a great car. I loved the previous generation, and the smiley-faced current gen's styling never turned me off, contrary to most peoples' reactions. It's the interior and rear that turn me off. I really, really don't like the rear of the new hatch, and the interior seems bland for the money. Also never warmed up to the idea of all that torque-steer.

The Focus ST seems promising, but I'm not 100% sure about it to be honest. I'll wait for reviews before even considering it, and unfortunately timing will be a factor as I need to ditch my car asap. My fear is the mark-up dealers will try to instill as the car has been receiving a good deal of hype. Styling is there. The interior looks solid, save for the four-spoke steering wheel (never been a fan of four-spoke steering wheels; not that it'd be a deal breaker).

I don't like the WRX sedan. I think it's ugly and ungainly, but I love the hatch. I was strongly considering trading for a 5-door STi for the longest time. I think I'm gonna pass on it. I'm scratching the EVO off my list as well because I don't care for its styling both inside and out.

I would totally consider an Optima Turbo, but from every single review that I've seen so far, word is that it's a complete flounder in the corners and its driving dynamics belie its aggressive styling and straight line grunt.

Originally Posted by Greenkirby21

Did you drive a gti? That and the mini are the best fun to drive cars IMO.

I have driven a MkVI GTi in 5-door trim with DSG. Loved it to death, but it felt boring because it was so solid and fluid. I wouldn't hold that against the car, though. It's probably a good thing and my aggressive driving behavior might necessitate a car with an attitude along those lines. I'd probably consider one with a 6MT. Still can't do the cutesy Cooper S though.

[OBI_agent]

Originally Posted by Year's_End

That's when I came across a white Countryman 4S in white with black accents. Call me crazy but I love it. Been checking out reviews; it's peppy, but not fast, but most importantly it supposedly handles just like a Mini that's a tad bigger. I want my commutes to be fun, so that's a necessity. And I really can see myself driving this; it's like a butch Mini on 'roids.

I like the Mini Cooper, but it's honestly just too cutesy to interest me. Driven a few, love the way they drive, but I'll never own one. Not interested in many JDM cars. I'm much bigger on Europeans and domestics.

Thoughts? Does anyone here own a Countryman?

TIA

Hey man, nice choice. In the pictures, the Mini Countryman S looks butt ugly but in real life, it ain't that bad. My neighbor has one and I will surely ask them about the car. As soon as I get the feedback, I'll surely share it with you.
Man, I'm disappointed you ain't getting a Mustang 5.0 V8 but what can you do! You have your reasons which are perfectly understandable. Insurance is such a bitch!
Dude, its just a suggestion but have youever heard of 3rd party insurance?

[TK-421]

I'm thinking of doing the same thing, unfortunately. Insurance is raping me, as are gas prices so I may not even pick up my car next month Instead, I might just pick up a very good condition E30 (an AW 318is, specifically). I agree with what others said that the Countryman is a great car from what I've heard from other owners and definitely looks better IRL than in pictures. I'd pick that over a Beetle any day.

[blue2fire]

You could get a 135i.

[josephr25]

Wait for the Focus ST to come out, then decide. If you can't wait, I'd probably get the GTI. Or even an A3, although those hit 30 really easily. I'll probably be in the same boat in a year.

[ptack]

Originally Posted by blue2fire

You could get a 135i.

That would get him into more trouble than his 335i. Now a 128i might work better. Maybe if your're real lucky you can find a used A3 or A5 which would be nice, but less tempting to fly in. The Mini might be best in terms of go-cart fun with less citation risk.

[blue2fire]

Originally Posted by gonzo

I have pulled off the road more than once to find and fix a rattle. I think I may have rattle issues.

No, you just have issues.

Originally Posted by ptack

That would get him into more trouble than his 335i. Now a 128i might work better.

Well, it actually was in response to this but i get what you are saying. I think there are certain BMW "Qualities" that anyone might miss with another car.

"I'm open to any suggestions for a car that's ≤30k with four seats, a unique or strong styling statement, and a high fun-to-drive factor. Speed isn't a top priority, but slow is also out of the question. Hate to use 0-60 times as a reference, but anything slower than high 7s is pushing it."

[gonzo]

No, you just have issues.

Witty to some I suppose.