Probably not... i haven't posted in forever.

Anywho, I have found a new job! Just in time, as our 1999 Dodge Neon with hurricane damage is just completely falling apart. My wife and I need a new car.

I have been lusting after a Mini for a few years now, but as I search around more in the land of new cars I have seen some nice options from Honda and even *gasp* Ford. Tomorrow we are going out for some test drives and pricing.

I know this question is probably pointless as I should really just be trying out all of these cars and forming my own opinion, but I like to hear the forums general consensus out of sheer curiosity.

We are looking for something around the $22 - 24k or less mark with good fuel economy, fun to drive, and a nice sound system. We'd really like our payments to settle in the $350 to $400 a month range as well. While my new job pays considerably more than my old job, it's commission based as well so I like to budget more on my base pay.

Currently I am looking at the MINI (justacooper), Honda Fit Sport, the Honda civic ex, *edit* mazda 3, and the Ford Fusion. I have also expressed some interest in the Kia Soul...though I have some mixed feelings about it.

So, any thoughts? Suggestions? I'd love a MINI S....but I just dont think it would fit into our budget. I am not much of an aggressive driver either, so I think the base cooper would be best for me. (I also want to learn stick, and this will be my first manual car)

Thanks!

 

No Mazda3 in that list?

 

A 2010 Cooper S list for 23000, no options, but is a perfectly driveable car, just don't select a mettalic paint color. Thats what I would buy. You will have to order it because no dealer is going to bring in a stripped unit for lot sale.

 

From your description of your driving style, you probably would be very happy in a Justa. You could easily find a used one from either first or second generation builds, with whatever options you wanted for several thousand less than 23k. If you want the best gas mileage, go for a second generation justa. This assumes you want a MINI after you test drive all the other cars on your list.

 

Why the gasp on a ford? I'd take a ford anyday over a honda.

 

I was just teasing about the Ford comment. Also I notice almost nobody seems to mention them much here. I thought I was being avant garde!

Are my hopes for payments around that area realistic? Even with fees and taxes and etc? I didnt see much of a reduction in payments for leasing, and MINI select seems like I would pay a lot more in the end. Interest rates seem low however with many companies doing 1.9% apr, and some even 0% apr.

 

Use the MINI-USA build and payment calculator.

 

I think you'll be pretty safe with that payment goal depending on your down payment. Here's a quick little excel thing my dad made for me(he's a cpa) to help out, just put in the total price in the first price column and it'll fill in the rest.

 

go with a mini or Honda Accord...girlfriend picked up a 2010 (decent options) for $25,000...just my 2 cents....of course Im rooting for the MINI!

 

Whelp, we had a really fun day looking at cars! My wife really liked the Honda Civic. I, personally, wasn't that into it. It felt really "floaty" driving it. It felt like driving a Sedan. I enjoyed the Ford Fusion much more, it had some power to it, felt solid like a rock, and had some neat features and a good stock audio system. I also liked the Mazda 3. For the first time I ever, I drove around a parking lot with a manual transmission and never stalled it! Still, once we got into the Mini dealership and got behind the wheel, I was still the most excited and most into the MINI. The dealership was friendly, though it was obvious they REALLY wanted me to buy that day (and that's their job of course).

There were some problems however. Almost every model they had in the lot was either far out of my price range, (close to 30k) or did not have the combination of features I really wanted. (Manual Transmission, Xenon head lights, Harmon Kardon). The closest they could offer me was a silver MINI (justa) with automatic transmission, Harmon Kardon, halogen lights, and a bevy of stuff I really didnt want (sunroof, DTC, climate control, silver interior trim, sports seats). Still, I was tempted into pulling the trigger, and figured I could at least talk about financing. I could give up manual so my wife could have an easier time driving it...(though I REALLY REALLY want to learn stick). With Mini Select, they were able to get the payments down to about 346/mo for 60 mo. with a roughly $9,600 balloon payment at the end that could be refinanced. This was at 5.9% apr. With the free feature promotion they were offering, this put the mini at roughly 24k after tags, tax, and dealer fees. The other option was to buy the mini at traditional financing at around 24k at 1.9% interest at a monthly rate of $519/mo (which seems suspiciously high).

The problem is, it really feels like I'm paying a lot for features I really don't want. I built my MINI online for about 20,800 for a justa with the three features I wanted most (manual, xenon, HK audio) (of course no tax, tags, etc...but the silver MINI was 24k w/o that either, the free feature option was what dropped it to 24k). I inquired about having one built, and they said that 1. the "door press" at the factory was broken and causing huge delays on having them built and 2. if I built I would have no idea what financing options or rates I could get until the car arrived months from now.

Is that all true?

In the end it really didn't matter. My wife and I crunched our finances and realized while we might be able to afford the car, it would not leave us with much wiggle room financially. We'd almost be breaking even each month. With my job being less than a month old, and her job paying so little, we've decided to wait and ensure more financial stability. Our goal was not to buy that day anyways, just to get a good idea of what we might like.

The only real hope for now, until my wife can find better work, is to try and save up to make a big down payment and drop the financing to something more manageable. (all our estimates were with just a 1000 dollar trade in for our beat up dodge).

Anywho, any feed back or suggestions? I guess my dreams of owning a MINI are on the back burner again. I guess it will only make the day I finally get one that much better!

 

When I built mine, my dealer told me I could 'lock in' the 1.9% by paying a $500 deposit (which is pretty standard for ordering a car AFAIK). You probably just need to make it more clear that you're not about to commit to a car without knowing the terms first and he'll do the same for you.