The newer minis are a vast improvement. But nobody uses em on TV anymore so coolness percentage is low. See A-team for results!
Hannibal Smith would tell you to buy the Mini-14. Just sayin'.
Have you priced actual Mini-14 mags lately? Ruger knows that theirs are the only reliable ones.... And they're treated as such. VERY expensive.
A mini-30 would be a fun rifle, I think.