I have been lurking here for some time and have been ambivalent about purchasing a MINI because there are times when I need something bigger. I have been driving BMW's for the past 20 years and my 528 Touring handled, with aplumb, its many duties including transporting my two Greyhounds, going to the dump, many trips to the Church of the Home Depot, handling like it was on rails (5 speed with sport suspension), and getting in the high 20's for fuel mileage. First step was to buy a used truck--99 Ford Ranger supercab.
On to the MINI. I have configured a bazillion or two MINI's and have looked a several used ones. I was recently tempted by a low miles 04 but held out. A week ago I came across an 07 with 2100 miles on it. BRG, auto, premium, convenience, Tuscan leather sport seats, front and rear fogs. The sticker was $25,650. I was able to buy it for $20900 with no doc fees and 100k certification. The car had been driven by MINIUSA and never titled. I put a deposit on the car and the next day sold my Touring. Yesturday I dropped the Touring at a shipper (it is going to North Carolina) and was picked up by my MA, Joel, from MINI of Peabody. On the way to the dealership he informed me that he was a bit excited as he had been given tickets to the 1st game of the Boston/Cleveland series.
The car is spectacular. I find the "base" Cooper has plenty of go for me, the auto trans is very responsive, the sport button is like instant crack, the seats heavenly, the handling superb, blah, blah, blah. I thought the Convenience package to be very overpriced and never "Configured" it--I love it already. MINI vision informed me that I achieved 39+ mpg on the ride home. I kept thinking that the speedomoter must be off. I could not be going as fast as it said I was going.
My buying experience was excellent. Joel is an honest, intelligent, enthusiatic MA, who I consider to be a friend. He is also the same age as my son who died last year from cancer.
I slept in my house last night and not in the garage--it was too cold. I will have to change my signature.

 

Welcome to NAM BMWBOY!!! That was a great introduction and if you can,we all like to see pictures.

 

Nice post.

I see you have 14 posts, so I won't say, "welcome to NAM". Instead, how about, "welcome to MINI ownership" ?

Sounds like you found a great MINI and had a very good buying experience. And I'm with you on the Cooper with the sport button being plenty zippy.

 

Welcome and happy motoring!

 

Welcome to MINI ownership. Great story!

 

Now this is the kind of review that has more cred w/ me than even the car mags....folks actually motoring in a MINI coming from other ably-equipped cars. Nicely done...welcome to Planet MINI!

 

Congrats on the purchase! Fun miles ahead

 

Welcome to the addiction know as MINI! Sounds like you got a nice deal. Good luck with your ride. See you next year at Minis on Top!

 

Great introduction to the MINI world - welcome - sounds like you got yourself one heck of a good deal....

I'm sorry for the loss of your son. I can only imagine how hard it is.

Donna

 

Thank you for the kind words. The death of a child (Seth was 6 days past his 28th birthday) is a loss unlike any other. I carry Seth in my heart in a very different way today than I did when he was alive.
I think that I did get a very good deal. The car had 2129 miles on it and I got almost $5000 off MSRP, no doc fees, rubber mats, and certified to 100k. I have not heard of anyone else with a deal like this. I would post pics if I could figure out how.