I'll start off by saying that I dont have a Mini quite yet. I am looking for a black Cooper S 6spd with no options. Im an avid autocrosser and all around handling dork. Right now I am in school for auto mechanics and I am going to University of Northwestern Ohio for High Performance/Motorsports technology starting in August.
Onto my Mini story, I realized at an auto-x that my "Track rat" was being beaten rather handily by a stock Cooper S automatic driven by a girl, I couldnt stand for that anyway I went and drove one it turns out that it drives just like a 1gn neon if every part of said 1gn neon was a little bit better. Since then it has been a month long slur of car loan rejections and staring when I see one in a parking lot.

 

Yeah! I got started when my brother mentioned he had talked to a MINI owner that told him it was the most fun car he had ever driven. I knew what he had driven, so it got my attention. My mistake was when I stopped by the dealer to see how much they cost. The guy asked me if I wanted to drive one, and was laughing as I drove off. I thought I had something hanging out the door or something and stopped to see what it was. By the time I got back I was sold, and he knew it.

Sure. I dragged my feet for a month or so before going back, but it was a month of the same things you saw. Pointing out every one I saw on the road. Checking them out in parking lots. General staring at every one I saw. I laughed at your post, because I wonder how many others go through the same process.

The fact that you are here is a great sign, though. It won't be long, and I bet you won't be sorry.

 

Hahaha, I love it...

As you'll see in my sig, I am an avid AutoX'r too and did my 1st National Tour event this year in my BMW. I've always wanted a MINI and also knowing that the first 14 cars in GS at the National Run-offs were MCS' made for a no-brainier decision to get one.

I ordered a 2009 with only the essentials and will be one of the 1st MCS owners in the states with the new eLDC in combo with an LSD, which should make for a powerful AutoX offering.

My car should be in the states on Jan 4th and I'll have a 400+ drive home and am really looking forward to the 2009 AutoX season!!!

Goodluck with going in debt and you'll love every minute of it in a MINI!!!

 

Should I bother looking at a base Cooper? I found one like I want that I could afford in a sensible way.

 

For AutoX a Cooper must have DTC/eLDC and maybe Sport Suspension, everything else is just weight. So a 2009 base cooper with these options is $20,200 + $650 = A very competitive H-Stock car...

Or go all the way and add the Sport Package and now you have $21,200 + $650 and your sportin' Sport seats, Spoiler, Stripes and 16" sport wheels. Can't go wrong for the extra $...

Good luck!

 

That's exactly what we did for our Cooper... Sport Package w/ eLSD, Anthracite Headliner, and MFSW... that's it.

Truth is, if you really want to be ahead of the competition as far as the capability of your car, the base may be the way to go, because if you have eLSD and everyone else is running an open diff, that should be a big advantage.

With the Cooper, there has never been an LSD option of any kind so anyone that doesn't have an '09 Sport Package Cooper (of which ZERO have been delivered as of today, that I know of) doesn't have any LSD if they're in H-stock.

On the other hand, the Cooper S has had an optional mechanical LSD for some time, so while the eLSD is probably an advantage in G-stock, it's an even bigger advantage in H-stock.

So, if you pick up a DTC (eLSD) Cooper soon, you may have a BIG advantage over the rest of the field until they pick one up as well.

 

I should have pointed out I am looking at R50/R53s, I know I cant afford a new one I couldn't be more disinterested in stock class either, seriously I never have a car stock for more than a week, I just dont like the feeling

 

Then go Cooper S - supercharged, plenty of mods out there for it. I understand the reluctance to run in a stock class since I have run Street Modified for the last 4 years, but in SCCA Solo II, Stock does not equal Stock and a MINI Cooper S is far from being your average "STOCK" car...

 

Love Your Sig

"I was lured into driving a Mini by a girl, and its going to be the worst financial decision of my life"

Maybe I can help reduce the pain.

 

^ Thanks.
The bank wouldnt believe it was a business investment, they wouldnt give me a loan for the plasmacam either

Who would I talk to about becoming a vendor?

 

I ordered my 2007 CR/B MCS in June of 2007 and finally took delivery of it in August of 2007. It was well worth the wait. Interior and Exterior Chrome line, Premium, Sport, Cold Weather and Convenience Packages. Chrome Hood Scoop.

This thing is a HOOT to drive, to borrow a line out of a Cadillac commercial, when you turn on your MCS it DOES return the favor!

I would recommend a MINI to anyone in the market for a new car that is FUN to drive and still returns good gas mileage.

Starkski

 

http://www.saturnofyork.com/VehicleDetails/1153641794

Good deal? They approved me tonight I didnt buy it 394/month is really more then I wanted to pay

 

I would suggest an 05-06 MCS with with LSD and no sunroof (60lbs in worst spot..the roof) And chat with AutoXCooper to get the right handling parts (and stoping) There is also a section on NAM dedicated to fellow autoXers as well, discussions are kinda slow but picks up when season starts. Oh 05-06 have better gearing than 02-04.

 

I know from reading and driving my JustaClubman to my MCS. Most NON-S guys I know will say...suspension, suspension, and more suspension.

If your suspension is better than the next guy...you will out perform that "S"!

 

http://audiporsche.sunmotorcars.com/...hp?carID=20016

That is the one. Too bad the banks are closed today

 

Wow. Am I off base or does $17,000 seem like a lot for a 2002 with 44,000 miles and not many options?

 

The lack of options is actually a plus for me. The cheapest one I have found around here was $15995. Anybody want to point me somewhere cheaper, all the cars in the marketplace seem to be very far away from me

 

I believe in the same price range you can probably can get an 05-06 R53 with less miles.

I look at the long term instead of the short term. I believe prices in the North East & Mid-Atlantic States are actually cheaper than most places.

You have to do a thorough search to get exactly what you want, for the money you want, and if it has to be in another state to get it...it will be well worth it for you. Just make sure that all the administration portion is done before picking it up. The ROAD TRIP back will be well worth it.

My wife is looking for a third MINI, an R52, and to get rid of the 07 New Beetle Convertible.