I’m looking to replace my 2006 cooper s. It only has 110000mi but that’s a lot for a mini. repairs keep adding up and it has cranked but not started 4 times in the last 2 months and a mini speciast mechanic is stumped. I think it’s time.
I tested the 2016 Miata and it is pure joy on 4 wheels! However it’s sooo small. I’m single and I think it could work except for traveling with my 45lb giant Jack Russell looking mutt. I’d keep the mini as a 2nd car but insuring both won’t be cheap and travel or transporting the dog is when I’m most worried about the mini’s reliability.
Am I fooling myself thinking a Miata is a perfectly good daily driver?
(Assume I will need snow tires for CT winters)
Other cars are m looking at:
Wrx (fun but terrible mpg)
Frs/brz (want to love but a bit too serious, fun on twistys but not so much hwy & city)
Mustang ecoboost (fun to look at OK to drive, ?ecoboost poor reliability?)
Keep my mini (still very fun after 10yr, increasing time repairing at home or in the shop, repairs outpacing value)
New Mini Cooper s (almost as fun as '06 but experience says overprice and unreliable)
Mazda 3 2.5l. (Fun for an ordinary car, nicely equipped for a fair price)
Civic (CVTs sedan pretty good, hatch or coupe w/ stick may be great but won’t be out till March if ever)
Golf/gti (ok but questionable longevity)
Impreza/ crosstrek (ok I guess)
Fiat 500 abarth (need to test, Chrysler terrible reliability?)