Hi everyone!
I'm new to the forum, I am in the market for my first Mini and I thought that if anyone could answer my questions it would be people here. I learned a lot on the Jeep forums when we bought our '08 four door Wrangler, so when I found this forum I was thrilled.
I'm hoping to find out if there were any model years that had more problems than others, which years I should stay away from in looking for a used mini. And hopefully, Ill find one soon and be able to join you guys on a drive!

Thanks!
Melissa

 

Welcome to NAM, Melissa

What part of VA?

As far as used MINIs are concerned, my vote would be for a 2005 or 2006.

 

Hi Erika! We just moved to Roanoke, we've only been here about two weeks, so dont ask me where in Roanoke because I have no idea lol. I've been researching online, and it looked like the '02s and '03s had a lot of little bugs that hadnt been worked out yet. It looked like the '04s were okay but I thought I would ask the experts.

 

Welcome to NAM, and the wide world of Mini!

You may want to search some of the forums / stickies - there are plenty of really good links for info on the forum list. OR, you can just wait around and wait for one of those smart folks to answer your question better than I can (time constraints, not intelligence problems, thanks!) For the record, I am a HUGE advocate of hard-tops (with panoramic sun roof), and Cooper S. The Cooper S has more kick and get-up-and-go. Especially the manual transmissions. If I had to do it over again (and, ok, to be honest, i'm already planning on it for my third Mini), I'd probably spend a few more bucks and get the John Cooper Works (JCW) package. It's much faster.

Good luck and happy hunting.

 

welcome and I think anything From 2005 on are good

 

Thats basically what I've been hunting for. I'd like a hardtop cooper S with the sunroof and manual transmission. I just had someone try to scam me on autotrader for an '05 convertible though, which was slightly unpleasant. lol
I found an '04 last week that I LOVED, and they were supposed to check some things out for me and never called back. I called today and they said it was gone. :(

 

Sounds like x uh oh x might have an 07 BRG MCS for sale as soon as he places his order for new JCW! You should make him an offer. Welcome aboard. You will want an S for driving up and down the mountains around Roanoke! Peper Jack lives near you.

 

Melissa,

Welcome to the forum. I live near and work in Roanoke. We just bought out first MINI (new) from Mini of Sterling (Northern VA about 3.5 hours away). If you are buying a used MINI in Roanoke watch your back. The nearest MINI dealer to Roanoke is Flow MINI in Winston-Salem NC. It is about 2.5 hours away. MINIs in Roanoke are on the rare side. Because of this dealers selling used ones tend to be really high priced. As you may know, MINIs have a very good resale value so they tend to be on the high side most everywhere. However, in places where there is little or no competition the prices get outrageous. I've seen 05, 06 used MINIs around here selling for 85-90% of an equivalently new (08). For me getting a brand new car, built exactly as I wanted, with 4 years of warranty and 3 years of service for another 10-15% was a no brainer. Plus loans for new cars tend to be cheaper than loans for used cars. Not saying that buying a used one is not an option, just be sure you crunch the numbers sufficiently before you jump. Let us know how you make out.

 

thank you, yeah I've been thinking that. It seemed like the prices here were high. My family is up in Annapolis, So we've been looking up there too, we dont have a problem driving a ways for a decent deal. The guy at the dealership kept talking about how rare they are, so I thought that might be the case. Thank you for the heads up, I really appreciate it!

 

~~Just for the record, x UHOH x is a very cool chick. If I do say so myself... ~~

WHo said anything about selling my baby!?!? I meant ADDING, of course! The husband made me sell my first one (and I'll admit, it was almost identical to my '07 from a non-MINIxpert view.)

There is a spot somewhere in NC (I saw it on another thread, but I have to find it again) that has a veritable warehouse of used Minis, and I've heard the dealer who owns the warehouse has a good rep. I'll try finding it and post it here if I'm successful.

IMHO, I'd advise you to set a date/trigger in your scouting -- if you don't find YOUR Mini within ___ days/months (or before you have to ditch your old car, or whatever the trigger might be), I'd say start looking into buying new. Or Demo models....

 

ooh thats a good idea. and yeah definintely, if you find that link to that warehouse PLEASE let me know!! Im totally willing to drive down to NC for that.
I'd love to buy new, I just really dont think I can afford one. :(

 

Welcome, MacLeod. I'm another MINI owner in Virginia - about 1.5 hours north of you in Hot Springs. I also bought from MINI of Sterling. Over a year into the car and still love it. There's a great guide to used MINIs (and a wealth of other info) at motoringfile.com. Good luck!

 

oh thats great its just what I needed! Thank you!!

 

OK, evidently I lied and I'm having a bad day reading carefully!!! The warehouse is in LA, not the east coast. Sorry...

Now, in going back through my old threads IN ORDER to re-read carefully , I saw that FLOWMini in NC seems to be a good lead as far as good dealer reputations...but I couldn't tell if they had quality used minis. I also saw this thread in my lists -- and it's funny, but has some interesting tips to "read" used Minis:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=140038

Where in VA are you? I'm (obviously) in Petersburg - just south of Richmond. This thread (below) is also a good spot to "find buddies" once you find your Mini Love.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=23933

And I see that you've been scanning the for sale ads on this site. I really hope you find what you're looking for! Good luck!

 

Thank you so much! I really appreciate your help. Im really hoping I find one I like quickly, I test drove my first S last week and Im smitten! lol..
I'm definitely getting one, its just a function of where, when and which one.
I am in Roanoke, we just moved here from Ohio, where I just finished my long awaited Bachelors Degree. lol.. My fiance and I are originally from Annapolis, Maryland. I have a friend in Indiana with a Mini, but no other mini friends, so Ill have to hit that thread when I get mine.
Thanks again for your help! I really appreciate it!

 

Ohio!? No Way! My husband and I are both from Dayton, and just moved here to VA in NOV! Where in OH?

Try "Classic MINI" in Cleveland. They give a NAM discount & have great service, according to some folks who've actually stayed in OH. THey're also one of the vendors on NAM. https://www.northamericanmotoring.com/classicmini

 

I went to the University of Findlay,which is like 50 min south of Toledo. I was in their Equine Training program. My grandmother lives in Cleveland, and my sister is still out in Findlay so we'll be going back when she graduates. I'll check out that dealership. What a small world huh??!

 

We've discovered Ohio-ans are everywhere....but usually not living in Ohio! Acutally both the husband and I were transplants there (I was a military brat, his family moved w/ dad's job.) We get a lot of Ohio-attention since we have personalized (funny, in my opinion!) license plates, and the husband is an OSU grad...so of course he has just about everything OSU.

Good luck hunting and keep us posted! There are a BUNCH of Mini clubs in VA.

 

another VA here. bought mine at MINI of sterling as well.

 

oops

 

Hello Virginia folks! Another Roanoker here.

It looks like we're developing quite a little cadre here in the Valley!

 

I may have to join the Roanoke club...there's LOTS of you guys! (Richmond guys are a little closer, when they actually do meet up.)

 

Alright, I found the official home for Virginia Owners I'm in Charlottesville, but don't quite fit the bill of a MINI owner. I'll be ordering mine next month and have joined the River City Mini's in Richmond.

Did MacLeod ever find a MINI?

 

Yes, she did! Macleod got an '05 hot Chili red & black. Great looking car!

I was thinking about joining one of the other "local" (relatively speaking) clubs as well -- 7 Cities Mini or Tar Heels. THe 7 Cities MINI does a lot of charity work combined w/ driving.

Speaking of which!! There's a huge frackas going on this weekend near Williamsburg!!! Guiness World Records is trying to gather as many MINIs in a parade as possible -- gotta break the 318 record held by Britain. Info is on the 7 Cities MINI homepage, where you can also pre-register (accounting info for who actually was IN the parade.) It's more than just the parade, though...family fun stuff, a MINI car show, rock bands, etc. Should be lots of fun! Parade starts at 2pm, and entry fee is $5 per person. It's held at the Rockahock Campground in Lexana, VA near Williamsburg. Please come!! Doesn't matter if you have a MINI or not -- you're still enthused by them, so come anyway!
(see first posting on this link)
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=146660

 

Hey all! Sorry I kind of fell into a hole for awhile. lol... I DID get my mini, YAY! and I've just gotten off the phone with the mini dealer parts dept in Md by my parents house because I managed to break two trim clips the first time I washed it. lol.. oh well... I also just joined Tar heels mini club, and they actually have a subgroup for people in the Roanoke valley as well. If anyone in roanoke (and you too Sarah) want to get together and do a drive down the parkway or something, let me know! We'll just have to plan it in advance so I can get my retarded schedule under control.