Buying a Mini

[SField]

Whereas I was originally planning on buying something really sweet like a previously owned Maseratti or an SL, I think that until I decide that I definitely want to live permanently in a car city, and until I can handle my 3 properties better, it makes a lot more sense to get something much, much cheaper.

I always thought the mini is cool, and I think I'll get my kicks driving that. Unfortunately my old car that was in storage got totaled in transit to Chicago, so I have to downgrade quite a bit, which I'm ok with.

Would you guys go pre-owned on a mini or get the latest model? Not an experienced car buyer at all. My last car was an S600 that belonged to my dad, and I didn't have to buy it obviously.

Tips for buying mini? I plan on paying cash.

 

[imageWIS]

Cooper S, hardtop. Manual ******, get a darker color, with white roof and white bonnet stripes and chrome mirror caps and chrome highlights.

 

[nootje]

no tips on buying one, but i can assure you that driving them is a blast. The GF has a mini S which has been tuned up to 240 - 260 bhp and that thing is a monster. It pretty much handles like a go cart

 

[Grimm]

Mini - it's great! If you go to one or two people.

Although, I had a mini, when we had one child.

Mini Cooper goes very well! Around the city as a karting!

 

[Joffrey]

I really want to get rid of my mid-size family car (Mitsu Galant) and get a mini. Looks fun, stylish and easier to park in the city. Hate the idea of car payments though.

 

[dave]

I have an 09 Clubman S and I love it. I would say go new if you can. the residual value on these things is so high that you don't gain much in the way of a discount by buying used. Spring for the "Lounge Leather" interior too, I have it in mine and it's freakin awesome. I wouldn't own one without a sunroof either. it's like driving a coffin. I would NOT, however, add the sport package. I have it now and the ride is pretty harsh. the trade off in comfort doesn't yield enough reward in terms of grip to warrant the expense. I would also go manual trans. I got a deal on one they had on the lot that happened to be equipped with everything I wanted but has the auto. if it hadn't been for 0% financing, I would not have bought it. the manuals are MUCH more exciting to drive.

 

[dah328]

And the automatic transmissions are (already) known to be a weak point on the Mini.

 

[HRoi]

You gotta get the union jack roof

 

[SField]



And the automatic transmissions are (already) known to be a weak point on the Mini.

So you have to drive stick? I'm a total city guy, I have no ******* clue about cars.

 

[dah328]

And the automatic transmissions are (already) known to be a weak point on the Mini.

So you have to drive stick? I'm a total city guy, I have no ******* clue about cars.

Well, the automatic transmissions are known to have a higher than average number of problems at relatively low mileages. I like driving manuals so I wouldn't buy an automatic, anyway, but if you don't know how to drive stick, you would have to decide whether the effort of learning and your dislike of it (if any) was worth the lower maintenance and repair costs to you. I recently had to have my wife's auto transmission rebuilt (not a Mini) and it was a multi-thousand dollar expense that I would rather not experience again.

 

[LawrenceMD]



So you have to drive stick? I'm a total city guy, I have no ******* clue about cars.

half of the mini experience is the manual transmission.... then again... where do you live? if its a place like san francisco then the manual on the hills with the stop signs can be a hairy experience even if you're really experienced.

also having a manual makes it a lot harder to share driving duties with a pal/girl friend during a long road trip/or if you're fall on your ass drunk. the majority in the US don't know how to drive a stick.

 

[Find Finn]

I would get a 11 in dark grey with black stripes and rally lights, one of my friends has just bought one and it looks amazing.

I haven't tried the "new" turbo cooper S, only the old supercharged one and that was a great little car.

 

[P-K-L]

Do not buy a MINI - it looks like you are trying to be HIP - it is so BERLINish...

30 yr old graphic designers from Berlin wearing thick black rimmed glasses on their emo faces drive mini.....

 

[MikeDT]

Friend of mine has a Mini. I think they're great cars...

...very British.... doesn't look 'BERLINish' or 'hipster' or 'emo' to me.

BTW the other day I had a nice ride in a new MG, made by Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation.

 

[imageWIS]



Do not buy a MINI - it looks like you are trying to be HIP - it is so BERLINish...

30 yr old graphic designers from Berlin wearing thick black rimmed glasses on their emo faces drive mini.....

Poast fail.