I've had three minis. They drive beautifully and the interior is streets ahead of any of the competition that I've experienced. However, they are hugely impractical, hard to get into and the ride is very bumpy. Any from 2006-2013 are best avoided due to their fairly disastrous engine.

For what you want, something like a Citroen C3 might be better as they're quite a good balance between comfortable, practical, stylish and cheap. You do need to be careful around engines though, so ask for more info here if you're interested in one.

""""Are you planning on spending £30,000 or £1,500? I personally wouldn’t recommend a Mini outside of the original or manufacturer extended warranty period. They’re pretty dismal when it comes to reliability. Fun to look at and kinda fun to drive, though they are heavy to drive, as in the gear change is a bit clunky and the steering heavily weighted to give the impression of feel. I personally don’t rate them at all and ask any dealer who focuses on older used cars sub £7k and you’ll usually find plenty of negativity for the brand. """

Well that is a pretty good hatchet job on a well loved and respected car brand. I have owned MINIs from the first concept of the BMC front wheel drive to the latest high quality German model. They have been no less reliable than any thing else I have owned over the years and horses for course a whole lot better than some. In fact overall I have had no serious mechanical problem with any car I have owned and for the era they were bought in all drove pretty well. The latest MINI is a quality car drives very well is very economic and is bang up to date with modern tech if that is what some want. There are plenty of old MINIs around commanding good money and most have there own individual appearance of some sort. A cheeky little car in many ways