Hey everyone I'm Bryan and I'm new to the Mini scene, so new that i don't even have one yet lol. Thats basically the main reason of this post, I know on my current forums that we have a post about what to look for when buying a used one, so i was wondering if there was any advice that you guys could give me.

I'm looking for like a 03/04 MCS cause i cant afford newer and from everything I've been reading in consumers the 02 should be avoided. I mean i know they aren't always right so thats why I'm asking you guys.

What i also find kinda cool about the mini community is a bunch of the websites you can buy new parts from I used for my current car. 1990 boosted miata.

So just wanted to basically introduce myself and get all the input i could get so i can make a good buy.

thanx
-Bryan-

 

Welcome!

Yep, '03 and '04 MCS's are great cars (as are '05s and '06s if you can find one in your price range).

The thing that tends to drive the prices of these cars is how they're optioned - at least when new. A mostly "base" MCS with cloth, manual, few option packages, etc. is typically very affordable. My car (an automatic convertible with leather and just about every package) is at the "stupid" end of the price scale. If you're coming from boosted Miata land, an MCS is a good place to start - lots you can do for performance mods.

I love my cabrio, but you'll spend $5-10K more on one, probably. They're a lot harder to find in the used market (and they're a lot newer) so this drive ups the price vs. what you can find in a hardtop...