Firstly, great forum. I hated the Mini's interior when it was first introduced some years ago but I'm starting to appreciate it more and more. I'm in the process of elimination and have pretty much come down to three cars, namely the new 2011 Ford Fiesta and Kia Soul but leaning more towards the Fiesta and of course, the Mini.

My dilemma is, I can't afford a new MINI. Looking at the financing, I can probably do the Mini Classic which from all indications is still a very sporty and fun ride even with only 118hp. However, if I opt for the used market I can score a nice Cooper S, 2004-'06 but of course warranty and repairs becomes an issue. This will be my daily driver and I hope to keep it for a long time but to be honest, I don't know what the lease on life is for a 5+ year old car like the Mini. Are parts expensive to replace? I read somewhere that an oil pan or something cost $800!

What's the true cost of ownership of this car?

Hope you guys can offer some insights and advice.

Thanks

 

Well if car parts cost is a major thing with you maybe the fiesta is the way to go, MINI's are little BMW's and the parts are priced accordingly as is dealership service. However if you shop hard and reasonably well you should be able to pick up a nice '05 or '06 S type for a good price and if looked after well should not need a lot of fixing up. Depending on your budget maybe you can go to '07 or '08. Then of course contrary to what S owners say the justa is no slug, if you want to send me an Email at cbmetcalfe@msn.com and I will tell you how fast my '09 justa has gone with its 118hp and auto transmission!