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2nd Vehicle. Civic vs. Mini vs. Rabbit - Page 3

post #31 of 110
6/1/09 at 1:06pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Prada_Ferragamo View Post
Don't expect that much back room even with the Si 4 door. The trunk is a little bigger. Other than that, there is no difference between it and the 2 door.

I dont expect there to be more room. I have a big car now. I just need enough room to haul cases or pop and occasionally beer. The Mazda3 we have right now is okay, but we have had a few problems with it....and we are looking for a change now...
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post #32 of 110
6/1/09 at 1:08pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Flambeur View Post
Miniminiminimini

I really like the mini too. It looks much nicer than the others IMO and seems like it would be more fun to drive, as well as it's "history". BUT, I wont be driving it much (Wife's DD). She just wants me to research for her...
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post #33 of 110
6/1/09 at 1:15pm
I'm on my 2nd Mini (had an 04, now an 09), and plan to get a 3rd in 5 years time, so my choice is obvious maintenance-wise I never had any major problems with my 04. The only thing you need to be aware of is that when you need new brakes, you have to change the entire rotor, not just the pads, so that can be one expensive fix (about $1000+ OEM, $700 aftermarket). If you get your car from Mini, they do offer an all encompassing maintenance plan you can buy that is good for 6 years/100k miles, and includes a full brake rotor change when necessary. The only thing it doesnt cover is tires of course. But it's expensive.
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post #34 of 110
6/1/09 at 7:42pm
On Sunday I passed by my local Mini dealership. It seemed as though there was some sort of Mini owners convention going on. Lots of cars and giddy-looking owners at the dealership.
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post #35 of 110
6/1/09 at 8:04pm
It's probably the least best looking of the three, but I vote Civic. You can check out the Fit while you're at the dealer, but since the Fit's demand is so high, you may actually get a better deal on the Civic. Plus I think the Civic>Fit in fuel economy...not 100% sure on that.
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post #36 of 110
6/1/09 at 8:09pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mauby View Post
It's probably the least best looking of the three, but I vote Civic. You can check out the Fit while you're at the dealer, but since the Fit's demand is so high, you may actually get a better deal on the Civic. Plus I think the Civic>Fit in fuel economy...not 100% sure on that.

The Fit is slightly better on mileage than the four door. Both about the same on the hiway with the Fit a tad better in town.
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post #37 of 110
6/1/09 at 9:16pm
Civic, for a second car.
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post #38 of 110
6/2/09 at 12:08am
Are you going with stick or automatic? I believe the Fit Sport model only comes in stick. If you're going with the Civic SI get the 2 door.
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post #39 of 110
6/2/09 at 12:55am
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Originally Posted by Rambo View Post
Are you going with stick or automatic?

I believe the Fit Sport model only comes in stick. If you're going with the Civic SI get the 2 door.

I want stick but the wife wants auto. Because it is a 2nd car we will be lending it to her sister once in a while and so on.
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post #40 of 110
6/2/09 at 1:31am
Quote:
Originally Posted by CityConnection View Post
I am looking to get a second car and was wondering if anyone had any feedback on the list of cars that I have.

I am looking for something small in size and on the gas. Manual. Nothing fancy, but if it is fast (relative to its price), that's a big plus. I am looking for $30k CDN and under. I am going to buy within the next 2 weeks or so. It will be siting mostly, just used in case we need to run errands for family to use when needed.

Honda Civic http://www.honda.ca/HondaCA2006/Bui...9&WebsessionID={5776C2C0-D9C0-485F-B3DF-77CC349ED849}#
Mini Cooper http://www.mini.ca/en/Model_Range/M...NI/default.aspx
VW Rabbit http://www.vw.ca/vwcms/master_publi...it_5_doors.html

Here is my first hand experience:

I am on my 2nd car (4th vehicle). It is a 2003 civic LX. I LOVE it. I am actually planning on selling it soon to get a newer civic. My only complaints is that it lacks a little power, and also the turnign radius is large for its size. However, the newer civics have mostly fixed that..shorter wheel base, and also the base civic has approx 35 HP more, AND it gets better mpg (because it doesnt have to work as hard on the highway is my logic). Also, i prefer RWD cars, the civic is FWD.

That being said, the mini was my #2. It gets decent MPG, but I LOVE short cars...easy to park, and fly around with. But you lack cargo space due to this.

Dont get the Rabbit. It lacks power, and doesnt get great milage. And since its european parts are more expensive.

My choice: Civic.
If you do not need cargo space, and money isnt a concern (since minis are more) I would get the mini...heck if money isnt a concern, get the Type S. Drool.
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post #41 of 110
6/2/09 at 1:33am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Get Smart View Post
The only thing you need to be aware of is that when you need new brakes, you have to change the entire rotor, not just the pads, so that can be one expensive fix (about $1000+ OEM, $700 aftermarket).
FYI, this isn't true. Rotors need to be replaced only when they're worn down to less than their spec'ed thickness. I usually go through at least two sets of pads before my rotors need to be replaced.

If I could get $1k/pop for replacing Mini brakes, I would consider that line of work. It's about $200 in parts and less than an hour of work if you have the right tools and a little experience.
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post #42 of 110
6/2/09 at 11:53am
^^ Do you own a Mini? You're right with other cars not needing new rotors but the Mini needs a rotor change at every brake change. My own mechanic who I've used for 15 years even agreed with that assessment when it came time for mine.
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post #43 of 110
6/2/09 at 12:15pm
I vote for the Rabbit. I believe this is the VW Golf platform called Rabbit in Canada, but its a great car and they are a lot better on long term corrosion resistance than the Japanese cars. In Canada, that could be an issue.

VW Golf was the best selling car/platform in Europe for years. Those cars are zippy and fun to drive.
I don't know if they offer it in a TDI, but if they do it's a no brainier.

If maintenance and reliability are an issue, then go for the Civic. We've had MB, VW, BMW, and Toyota in the car pool, and while the maintenance (regular service) was more expensive at dealer for the luxury German brands, reliability wise they have been very much on par. The Toyota had to have the exhaust and struts replaced more frequently than the other two, the VW had a piston misfire problem, BMW is new so knock on wood, and the 99 MB had rust issues plus a few minor issues (i.e. gas fuel indicator) here and there.
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post #44 of 110
6/2/09 at 12:50pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mc25 View Post
Here is my first hand experience:

I am on my 2nd car (4th vehicle). It is a 2003 civic LX. I LOVE it. I am actually planning on selling it soon to get a newer civic. My only complaints is that it lacks a little power, and also the turnign radius is large for its size. However, the newer civics have mostly fixed that..shorter wheel base, and also the base civic has approx 35 HP more, AND it gets better mpg (because it doesnt have to work as hard on the highway is my logic). Also, i prefer RWD cars, the civic is FWD.

That being said, the mini was my #2. It gets decent MPG, but I LOVE short cars...easy to park, and fly around with. But you lack cargo space due to this.

Dont get the Rabbit. It lacks power, and doesnt get great milage. And since its european parts are more expensive.

My choice: Civic.
If you do not need cargo space, and money isnt a concern (since minis are more) I would get the mini...heck if money isnt a concern, get the Type S. Drool.

You do realize that the Rabbit has more power than civic, mini, and even cooper S, right?

it's not 2003 anymore.

If you wanted bang for the buck performance, rabbit IS it.
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post #45 of 110
6/2/09 at 1:56pm
One question, who is the decision maker? Looks like your wife is putting a lot of constraints.
My advice, MINI, no doubt about it.
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