Most liked posts in thread: Shopping for first Mini! Coupe or Hardtop?

^^^ Nice Coupe for sure.....

 

the only reason I would by a coupe over a hardtop is if I wanted one before they are gone. It's pretty widely known now that the coupe is being phased out in favor of a new model(I think the roadster is going as well at the same time).

I agree that the hardtop is the perfect compromise, and a JCW version is even better!

BUT for me, if we were getting a 2nd Mini, it would be the Clubman....no question about it we would have gotten it instead of the CM if we didn't need 4 doors with the extra room, and if the rear seat lowered completely flat.....just the coolest looking car I have seen in a good while. It looks like a hardtop from the front, but has that long, low, chopped build to it....the rear double doors with gas struts so they pop open wide and stay in place, the single-sided suicide door.....it's just too cool for school.....

 

I second the comment on boot space. The wonderful roadster has unbelievable space and the pass through is great for longer items. We do our weekly grocery shopping in either the Countryman or the Roadster.

 

I have not driven the coupe but will tell you JenLanes coupe is uber sexy.

I got my hardtop hatch in January and am still in love with it. I think anyone you pick would make you happy. But do yourself a favor and go and drive each model. The right one will make your heart smile.

 

I've got a blk/blk coupe I would consider selling.

 

Welcome, thanks for joining Motoring Alliance, the FUN and Friendly MINI Community.

 

I have owned a Clubman, now a GP, and indirectly owned a convertible and now a Roadster. If you are a top down person then the Roadster, if that is not your style then the Coupe. Both the Coupe and the Roadster have large boot space. If more than that space is needed then the Cooper S HT is the ticket.

 

+1 on boot space. A NIB 10K BTU air conditioner, boot box, a full grocery trip and more. Sure, you can do that with the hardtop, too! It's just nice to know you can do all that with the Coupe and Roadster.

They can be quite practical if they suit your lifestyle. And as for visibility, it's never once been an issue for me. But I've had cars with similar visibility. I may not be able to see the top of the hill in the rear view once I've gone down it but that's what the side view mirrors are for. Plus, I've seen that already.

Egress has been another issue. And they're stiffer so city dwellers and those with intense potholes tend to dislike that.

And rain water. You have to open the boot slowly or it'll splash a bit onto the tonneau cover. I just keep a rag back there to dry it off.

Love the pass through gate, too. When I want to hide something like my laptop, I prefer not to open the boot and be seen putting it there. Just pass it into the boot and voila! Hidden!

If those things don't bother you, get one and drive it like you stole it. They're quite fun!

 

IMO the hardtop (cooper or clubman) provides the perfect mix of small&sporty with utility.

Unless it was just going to be a second car for commutes & weekend runaround, I'd find the coupe too small. I think the countryman is too big without actually being big enough - I'd get the van or SUV.

 

welcome to m/a

 

As the owner of a hatchback, a clubman, a Cabrio and indirectly (sons car) a roadster, I'd lean towards another hatch. Great sportiness, economy, roominess and totally a MINI. The coupe is cool, but you've mentioned the rear vision issue. Still they look cool, just too pricey and confined for me to rationalize the purchase of one. I do thoroughly enjoy the sons roadster, though.

For me, it's the hatch. All the handling and power of a coupe with spaciousness the coupe can't match. And make sure it's a "S" model. The Justa models aren't quite as much fun. (Waiting for the flack to start flying for that!)

 

I think if you're concerned at all about rear visibility and utility, then the regular ol' hatchback (hardtop) is the car for you. As said above, it's the perfect mix of fun, classic MINI good looks, and plenty of cargo/passenger space.

 

Welcome to M/A the FUN Mini site.

 

I like the looks of the Roadster and the Coupe, but visibility in each is awful [especially out the back]. So, I'm staying with my 3 hardtop hatchbacks!

 

Visibility in the convertible is not too great either. I paid $4 for two small round blind spot mirrors. Has made ALL the difference!!