Hello all MINIs,

Hope you all enjoy your MINI ride

I am buying a MINI within the next week. I have requested quotes from dealers within the tri-state area. Up to now, I got a $500 discount from a local dealer. Right now, I am considering two local dealers.

I am here looking for answers to two questions.

First, what is the big difference between Cooper and Cooper S? I got a job offer--my first job ever, and this is my first new car. I try to be financially frugal Is Cooper S worth those money?

Second, how important are exterior colors to you? I am a girl. I prefer Blue and Red.

Also, I prefer white roof, and NO stripes.

My preference successfully helps me narrow down my choice.

One dealer has Cooper in Nightfire red (white roof) and lightning blue (black roof). The other dealer has Cooper S in Chili Red (White roof) and lightning blue (white roof).

I am more attracted to Chili. If I choose Chili, I have to buy a more expensive Cooper S. I am an ordinary girl, and I do not do car racing. Do I really need a Cooper S? What are the advantages of S? Better for highway transportation? Is Cooper S as fuel efficient as base Cooper?

I notice there have been some discussions on chili vs. Nightfire. If Cooper S works as well as Cooper, I would decide to choose Nightfire.

Any suggestion? MINI Thanks!! (Learned this from a nice local dealer).

Have a beautiful day!!

 

Sounds like you are buying off the lot instead of configuring a car with the options you would like and ordering it. So you will have to put up with whatever dealers have for cars on the lot. At that point it becomes subjective as to which option and color combination YOU like the best. Words would be difficult to use to describe the difference between the Cooper and S model. Have you driven both? If not then most of your answers will come with a test drive of each, preferably back to back so you can compare the two better. There are arguments for either a Cooper or S model and members of NAM will be happy to give you many reasons why they chose one over the other but the most important factor in your decision should be how your car makes you feel.

 

By the way, forgot to say...Welcome to NAM!

 

Yep, welcome to the Mini world. I would agree on the advice about S vs. non-S - take them each for a test drive back to back. That will go a long way to helping you decide whether the S is worth any extra $$$ or the tradeoff in color preference.

Don't forget to look up you local Mini club. Great way to find fun events and make new friends!

Good luck! And when you get your new Mini, be sure to post some pictures!!!

 

Thank you for your warm welcome

One dealer is one hour and a half drive from where I live, and the other two hours and a half. The first one has Coopers with my preferred colors and the second one Cooper Ss with my preferred colors.

Thank you for the suggestions. I will visit one of them, and do a test drive first.

 

Another option is to get on your computer and find a used MINI nearby. The closest dealer to me is almost two hours away so I looked around until I could test drive a Cooper and an S locally to compare the two. Then once I decided which I wanted and what color, options and price I went on the net to search since I was looking for a used MINI, not new. No reason you cant drive locally first before heading to the dealer.