Hello everyone... I am in the process of buying a MINI for the first time... After 15 years of BMW's and Audi's (up to and including "S" cars and "M" cars) I am now in need to a reliable daily driver that is fuel efficient.. I am now in the process of investing in a new store location for our family business and need to get something more practical to drive between locations, save on gas, and get rid of my high car payments for a while... So here I am (and thank god MINI's exist or I would be in real trouble!).. I have honed in on an 05 MCS 6spd/sport/prem/cold as I feel that gives me the best bang for the buck in the current MCS market.. I would love a JCW car but that would quickly undermine my $13k self imposed price limit and goal.... I have done significant research as I am super picky and very demanding as an driving enthusiast and am very close to a purchase... I have several friends that have daily driver MINI's that share garage space with Ferrari's, Porsches, M's, etc and they find themselves as thrilled with the MINI driving experience as much as when they drive their other cars... I really look forward to sharing those same feelings!

Anyone have any suggestions or advise prior to my purchase?

Thanks for listening and for any advise you can provide..

 

Good Luck to you! Look forward to welcoming you to MINI ownership. My advice is to get a carfax report and have the vehicle inspected thoroughly before purchasing. Sounds like you are very knowledgeable about cars but wouldn't hurt to invest in an inspection by a certified MINI mechanic. Keep us posted.

 

Sounds like you're making a good choice!

 

good luck chossing... heheh.. they r all GOOD

 

DooBahDoo's advice is the answer, take your time going in and save money in the long run.

 

Okay... Need advice.. So I am at a stalemate... I am looking at 2 different cars and can't make a decision...

and I have bumped myself to a JCW equipped car.... LOL

Car 1) 2006 MCS JCW (fact installed?) 50kmiles.. 1 owner, 1st color choice... Clean Carfax, No paintwork, adult owner... Private party seller... I have him almost to $14,250 (which he will probably want at least $14,500).. Only issue is that he will not commit to sell it and is dragging his feet..

Car 2) 2005 MCS JCW (Dealer Installed?) 35k miles, Secondary color chioce... Clean Carfax, No Paint work, Advertised at a Dealer... Here's the kicker... I noticed in the pictures on their website, and realized when I went to look at it, that they do not know that it is a JCW equipped car.. I didn't let on that I noticed anything... They also showed me another car that it listed the at the same price and is an otherwise identical MCS that is not a JCW car.. I guess when they bought it or traded it the VIN simply pulled 2005 MCS as the JCW info was not vin specific then?... Anyways I can buy that car today for $13,500... With out and Dealer Doc fee as I am paying cash...

Either way I am pretty knowledgeable about cars and condition and thoroughly went over and test drove both..

Getting impatient..... Advice??

Thanks for all your help... Much Appreciated!

Nick D

 

Sounds like Car 2 is the way to go. JCW, lower miles, lower price, dealer vs private. Unless I'm missing something (still on my first coffee.) the only concession is it's your #2 color choice vs #1, which IMO is a minor point.

 

My performance car is a 2005 Maserati Coupe with a manual 6 speed. Wife wanted a bug and wanted anything else but a bug. I suggested MINI and I jumped on it. Was a the dealer in hours and she jumped from a justa to a striped S but it looked good. She has driven it like 2 times. I think she was a bit intimated by the torque steer and how hard it pulls. I was in love and took it over as my daily driver. Debated mods and really did nothing with the car. 11k in a year it was great. Looked at Porsche Caymen but I wanted a daily driver/commuter that I didn have to worry about parking and leaving etc.
Instead of modding the 2010 I ordered a 2011 JCW pretty loaded with everything I would want in long term car. It will see alot more track days than the Maserati for sure. When is raining and ugly and I have to walk by the Maserati to take the driver I no longer get depressed. Oh I can drive the MINI. Now with a more power and an exhaust you can hear I can't wait. MINI is way to much fun for the price of entry. It is such a sleeper car. I love suprising BMW's and Mustangs with the MINI. In the twisty stuff it as fast as anything on the road, period. Sure a big V-8 is going to walk away head to head on the straights. As soon as they brake for the next corner I am already
on there *** going much faster as I have not touch my brakes yet. Brake and dive to the inside and I am already going by and back on the gas before they can even think of getting on the throttle. I just hope there is not to much straight line before the next corner. Way different than running hard in a rear drive high HP car like the Maserati. Totally different driving style required that makes it even more fun and challanging for me. If I knew MINI's were that much fun I would have owned years ago. Seriously looking at a MINI race car for track and dodr to door fun. I am hooked if you could not tell. My only complaint is it does ride a bit rough with the short wheel base on rough roads. Sometimes I think a M3 or the like would be better but I already own a great GT car. MINI is great for racing around town and just having fun. Easy to park and get into tight places and get good mileage. I drive the hell out of my 2010 S and it always get 30 MPG. I hope the new JCW is as good.