Hello! to all, Just purchase used 2003 Mini Cooper Base 5 Speed and starting to Mod and upgrade many stuff. Have fun with it alot. It Faster than it look.I'm coming from Infiniti G35X Brand new as 2008.
Was gonna get Lotus Elise but my Wifeeee! still not agree so will wait for next year. Hello to all again.

 

who says its a downgrade? MINIs are awesome no matter what! hope you enjoy!

 

Yeah- not really a downgrade. You've just picked up a new hobby that requires ownership of a different car. If you feel you can't go to the club, the golf course or the fancy restaurant with the MINI, you didn't need to go there anyway. We're your people now. Enjoy NAM, join a local club, get out there motoring and modding.

And enjoy your base model MINI (known as the R50). You can't do as many mods and it won't be as powerful as the "S" models, but you will enjoy better gas mileage, better reliability (I'm lookin' at you, supercharger death rattle) and handling that is equal to or better than the "S" model, assuming the car has a set of PowerFlex control arm bushings installed.

How about a pic?

Val

 

Definately no downgrade. Best little car ever and you enjoy !!