hows it going guys? my name is ben, live in Rhode Island and currently drive a 1998 VW Jetta GT with the basic bolt ons(intake, cat-back, suspension, and the usual Euro bits). i will be graduating college in a couple of monthes and as a graduation present to myself, i will be buying a new car. the choices are pretty much down to a 2003 or newer VW VR6 Jetta or GTI (200 hp, 6 speed and that VR sound ) or an 04-06 Cooper S. from what i have read, 2004 is when most of the bugs were worked out for the supercharged models (please correct me if i have been misinformed). after some looking/researching i am very pleased with what i have seen for Cooper's.

if you guys could, please give me the low down on these things. problems, quirks(reliable cars are for boring people ), things you love (i love reading the "Things you didnt know about your mini thread), things you hate.

what about local clubs? i am currently a member of Ocean State Dubs and like that type of atmosphere. not to mention, you guys seem alot more helpful then the @$$holes on VWVortex.

i hope to be joining you guys soon with a Cooper but until then, like they say, happy motoring.

Ben

 

Ben,

First let me say welcome to a new, exciting and strange bunch of folks here. Most here are smitten with their Cooper. As you search for your Mini, you may, as I, be floored at the prices of used Mini's. Unless you go way up in miles, it might surprise you that you might want to order your vehicle new, and get everything in it that you want.

I searched autotrader.com and several others looking for a MCS and came to the conclusion that for a $1000/1500 difference, on a vehicle with 25,000 miles on it, I might as well buy new, with a full warrantee and service for 36 months. I just don't understand those selling a car out of warrantee for almost the same price as a new one, sometimes higher.

I, for one, always look at the used market when buying cars, but this is the first in a long time that I purchased new. I wasn't too keen on ordering and waiting, but I happened upon my current MCS on the lot and grabbed it. Just something to consider when you go looking. Every day since has been an adventure. I always look forward to driving this car and only wish I could run it on a track (daily).

Welcome to the board again, as I too am relatively new.

 

thank you for the advice, any advice is good at this point. i know Mini's are holding value like crazy and i hope that with the new models that the value of older models drop some, this is the same reasone im not buying a VW .:R32. to be perfectly honest, im not that big of a fan of the brand new model (no offense). i know that they look very similar but i prefer the older body style.

not to mention, after reading about the driveline/motor issues had by the R52's, i wouldnt want to buy a brand new version of the mini or any other car. the first few years they work the bugs out, the end of the generation is usually the most reliable.

 

Welcome to NAM and the world of MINIs. As you've already discovered, NAM is FULL of great info. - info. overload - LOL!! Congrats on the present to yourself - you'll love it - wether you buy new or used...just depends on what you can afford and availability...

Donna

 

The current ride






Mods:
ABD Big Bore Intake, Tech Tonics 2.25" cat back w/ Dynomax Muffler, 1.8" lowering springs, Short Shift, Euro VR6 lip, Smoked turns/dummies/side markers (not pictured), Smoked E-Code headlights, 300zx hood scoop (funtional), badgeless grill, grill spoiler, 17" Flick FTD wheels. i think thats it.


the project






Specs: VW 1600cc aircooled motor, frame shortened ~14 inches, independent rear e-brake, hurst shifter, 255/75 R15's in back (165/70 15's are stock) should be a good time when it's done.

 

Welcome to NAM! I don't know what it's like where you live, but I LOVE my local MINI club!!!

 

thanks for the welcomes guys. i am in Rhode Island, so any RI based, or New England based club info would be great. etiher Euro clubs or Mini specific

 

Hey Ben!

I just graduated from URI last semester. I now live and work in norwalk CT and just purchased my first mini about a month ago. Those pics look like they were taken down the line....you live over there? haha good times man...If you are looking for a New England based group for minis....nemini.org is great. I highly suggest it. Have fun over there in RI....

 

right on man. i lived down the line last year. good eye, we lived on Major Arnold Rd., its right off Ocean Rd. near Scarbourough Beach. i will be done in december this year. right now i am in Ashaway (exit 1 off 95, about 30 minutes from foxwoods). what program did you graduate from? my buddy graduated from the engineering program, bought a Cooper and currently is working at APC

 

Nice...I thought i recognized the area in those pics. I graduated with a degree in marketing and now work for a marketing research company. Good luck with school man...hopefully i'll see you on nemini.

 

no ****, marketing??? im in the general business administration program.

 

So I had an 03 Jetta GLI, bought it new and I never really bonded well with the car, it was at the dealer for repairs, uder warranty, but far more than I would have liked. I decided that I would not purchase another car built in Mexico. It just had a lot of defects. My current roomate/ex-gf still has her 03 stock jetta, and she has had a lot of problems with it also.

 

Awsome...Haha good 'ole Ballentine. It's nice to not spend my entire life there for once.