[randomquickness]

Time to get the wifey a car so she'll stop driving my beater grand cherokee. She really wants a mini cooper but I prefer the A3 2.0t. Besides the obvious "get her what she wants or you'll regret it" what advice do you folks have?

[touareg]

Why does she like the Mini, and what do you like about the A3?

I can't see one car being obviously better than the other, it really depends on what you/your wife wants and uses it for.

[ACZakka325i]

Cooper is better looking, more fun, and has more personality.

[david_lm]

The Mini. Very quality and fun car. Don't feel like dealing with all the electrical problems with Audis.

[Boost Gomez]

She likes the Mini. Get her the Mini.

[randomquickness]

she likes the gas mileage and personality of the mini. I like the added safety, space, comfort, and practicality of a sporty 4 door hatch. The A3 has only slightly worse mileage than the mini. I do have to agree with david on the electrical issues though...my last A6 turned into a nightmare.

[touareg]

I had an '02 A4 that I just sold this year for my 135. It wasn't Lexus levels of reliability but it was far from problem-prone...there was a slow coolant leak early in its life and then a minor oil leak last year, but no electrical problems. My brother-in-law has an '06 A3 and it's been surprisingly problem-free so far.

Personally I'd go for the Mini. It's a lot more agile than the A3 but doesn't ride that much worse. But if your wife ever needs to carry people in the back or any significant amount of cargo, A3 is the way to go.

[Garduna]

Both are great cars but if she really likes the mini, get the mini

[Year's_End]

I'd get a GTi over an A3, but I don't know how much your wife values driving fun.

Mini ftw.

[Moxie]

Mini "S"...my wife wants a Clubman too, just think we may need something bigger to take on trips with our 2 kids. Don't wanna rack up miles on my car.

[randomquickness]

Originally Posted by Nikkahtropolis

I'd get a GTi over an A3, but I don't know how much your wife values driving fun.

Mini ftw.

for her, driving and fun never go in the same sentence...she doesn't even mind driving my lifted 96 grand cherokee around (except for the 14 mpg it averages). I like the GTi's too but she thinks they're ugly.

[GreenPlease]

The new A3 TDI. Good for mileage and the interior build quality is superior to the Mini, IMO.

[m3pare]

i'd get the a3

[ChineseGuy]

Just get what your wife wants...

If she want an apple, get her an apple...

You don't show up one day with oranges and expect her to jump for joy and kiss you...

[randomquickness]

she always gets what she wants and I like spoiling her...but my biggest concern is safety...if she gets in an accident I think an A3 will hold up better than a Mini.

[Davin]

Be a good husband and get her the mini

[HapaVibe]

Be a good husband and ensure she stays alive. Children? The Mini rear seat has to be guaranteed death in a bad rear-end collision.

[randomquickness]

no children yet but there will be within the next few years probably. I know the mini is safe for its size...but isn't the A3 safer overall?

[blue2fire]

Have you shown her pictures of the new Golf?

[jetblk328i]

The A3 is very safe, but the mini isnt bad either.

I would pick the A3 with quattro for wet weather confidence.

Also, If you are getting Auto, A3's DSG is pretty nice!

[touareg]

What about a Volvo C30?

[dragon1761]

I think you should get her a 4 door sedan since your married, you need at least 1 car to carry future kids or when you need to haul something. getting two door coupe doesnt sound practical.