I just wanted to take a few moments and introduce myself to the list. My name is Donna and I am considering buying my first Mini Cooper. I have been in love with the Mini ever since I saw the movie "Some Kind of Wonderful". I am coming into some money with the stipulation that I do something fun with it, and not use it for bills, etc. DH suggested that since I am about to start a new school (accepted into a phd program which begins in August), I should get myself a new car. And I can't help but be a little frugal, especially with the price of gas, so it looks like a mini is in my future.

I'm trying to figure out what features I can and cannot live without... Unfortunately, I just test drove one yesterday which pretty much sealed the deal for me...

 

Welcome, same thing happened to me I've been eyeing them for 4 years, the test drive sealed it for me,ordered the next day !! I didn't go crazy with options, for one it was a money issue, so I'm keeping it simple, but the car itself is amazing, can't wait till next Sat. MA say's she'll be ready for pick up then.Just intime too, leaving Mon for work in NYC for 20 days But I'll get a nice weekend of motoring in before I go !!

 

Welcome, you can't go wrong with any of the MINI's. Get the one you like now and can afford. Then when you have your PHD, you can get another one with all the bells and whistles.

 

Congratulations on your new PhD program and good luck.

I suggest you think about your priorities -- what do you want most out of the car? E.g., if you'll be in stop & go freeway driving and have no experience with a stick, think about an automatic. If you love music, think about the HiFi stereo. If you feel the need, the need for speed, think about an S. Got lots of stuff to carry with you? -- think about a Clubman. Etc.

Then I suggest you play with the configurator at MINI USA a lot. It's a lot of fun, and you can get a good feeling for what kind of trade offs you might make. If you are near a MINI dealer (and it's like mine) you can take a field trip and test drive the different combinations that you come up with on the configurator. If you are a long distance from a dealer, you can snoop around NAM and see other people's opinions on the options.

Compare the money you must or can spend and come up with different option packages that get you there. Don't forget sales tax (if any) and license. If you are going to school out of state, you may wish to compare sales tax at both locations and buy where it's lowest.

I'm not that far from a dealer, but for me time is precious, so I did all my research on-line, and came up with a short list or different configurations. I emailed my dealer first and made sure they'd sell me a car at MSRP (I totally hate haggling with car salesmen). (It's unlikely you'll get a price much lower than MSRP, but refuse to pay any "regional price adjustment".) Then I went and test drove every combination I was considering. For me the choice was pretty obvious and I ordered the same day as my test drives.
Especially, enjoy the process! Have fun and tell us what you choose.

Oh, and if you want specific recommendations - I highly recommend DSC on any new car. It is an amazing safety feature. I have not been able to make Mrs. ()()=='s BMW 3 oversteer (aka fishtail or 2-wheel drift) with it turned on. The car feels rock solid in every conceivable condition.

 

Hm....your name sounds familiar....brumski?

 

Hm....your name sounds familiar....brumski?

Nope, I had a brief blog with the moniker Skelegirl but I am horrible at blogging. I am working on a degree in anthropology focusing on bioarchaeology with an emphasis in violence in ancient societies of the New World

 

Welcome to NAM and the world of MINIs. Sounds like you have worked hard and certainly deserve a MINI...

Donna