Hi MINI enthusiasts!

I'm Eric. I just graduated from the University of Maryland and got my first real job! I haven't got a MINI yet but I'm hoping to learn some things from you all then go out and find the perfect partner to drive me into adulthood.

Any tips or advice (or good deals you know of) would be appreciated as I start my quest.

 

Hey! Congrats on your graduation, that is huge!!

I had really good luck with Peter at Mini of Alexandria. He was painfully honest, telling me straight things I might want and options that were a waste. He passed on selling one on the lot to get me into something I would be way happier in, just didn't know it. (I was a n00b to Mini).

 

Before we can dispense buying advice, what are you looking for out of your MINI?

• Having a fun time, but with an emphasis on fuel economy for long commutes?
• Sporty, speedy motoring, with no real worries about fuel economy?
• 3 pedals or 2?
• Autocrossing or racing of any kind?
• Motoring with friends/bike(s)/skis/snowboards and other assorted cargo, often
• Motoring with likely only one passenger
• 4 doors a must?
• AWD a must?
• Do you have to see the sky a lot, or do you like dark, cave-like driving experiences?

Answer these questions, and it'll give us enough insight to recommend a certain model for you.

 

Thanks Chili4 and Jonnieoh. I'm impressed with your hospitality. I should mention I'm on a tight budget being recently independent. I'm looking to spend no more than $15k.

If that hasn't scared you away, here are the options this beggar chooses:

I'd like a fun driving experience with some consideration to fuel economy. I'm currently driving a parent's car that is shaped like a refrigerator and gets awful MPG. (said parent has requested the box's return)

Definitely 3-pedals. Although I just learned how to manage them, I'm certain I want a manual.

No racing in the foreseeable future.

Bikes and skis (occasionally)

Prefer two doors and sunlight.

 

Thanks Chili4 and Jonnieoh. I'm impressed with your hospitality. I should mention I'm on a tight budget being recently independent. I'm looking to spend no more than $15k.

If that hasn't scared you away, here are the options this beggar chooses:

I'd like a fun driving experience with some consideration to fuel economy. I'm currently driving a parent's car that is shaped like a refrigerator and gets awful MPG. (said parent has requested the box's return)

Definitely 3-pedals. Although I just learned how to manage them, I'm certain I want a manual.

No racing in the foreseeable future.

Bikes and skis (occasionally)

Prefer two doors and sunlight.

 

Many people might tell you that you NEED to get a Cooper S. Based on your comments, I'm not so sure. I really think you'll find even a "base" Cooper (especially with a manual transmission) to be very spirited, peppy and a blast to drive every day. I personally don't think you need an S.

I think you could get a very lightly used Cooper for your price range. Maybe an early lease turn-in or something 1 or 2 years old.

Because you might want the ability to carry a bike or skiis, I'd say this:
If you're okay with them being outside of the car, (on a hatch-mounted rack or roof rack), then certainly a Cooper R56 is going to be just fine for your needs. In fact, skiis "can" fit into a Cooper, but will intrude into the front seats, certainly.

But if they must be on the inside, then you might want to check out a Cooper Clubman. From the driver's seat, it feels and looks just like a Cooper, but it has more length in the back, which is better for carrying friends and cargo. It also has nifty rear doors instead of a hatchback tailgate. With a bike, you'd still need to remove the front wheel to get it inside, and obviously fold the back seats down completely.

And with either car, sounds like you'd want the panoramic dual-pane sunroof. I love my sunroof, but it's an acquired taste; some folks in the hotter southern states hate that it cannot be closed like most sunroofs. While it may be sealed shut, there will always be some measure of light coming in, because it has a sun shade that can open and close from the inside, made of a fabric or material that has thousands of small holes. It makes it "shadier", but doesn't block the sun completely out.

Like I said, it doesn't bother me at all, in fact I love it, but some hate that the roof can never be completely closed off from sunlight penetrating into the cabin.

My best advice? Go to the MINI dealership and sit in a Cooper and a Cooper Clubman, with the sunroof. Try the sunshade. Get into the back seats, fold them down, open up the hatch, look inside and get a feel for their scale inside. Test drive!

 

See if you can find a 2011 Cooper (non-S) in your price range. You will love it, and it should be quite reliable.

 

Seeing your needs I would almost recommend an Impreza or a Jeep. The Impreza (imo) is not as fun to drive and the Jeep, while fun, gets meh mileage. Mini is a cool choice indeed.

Just got an email from mini Alexandria stating some type of mini next credit on their certified 2009/10 models.

 

You all are really great. Thanks for the advice!

I should have mentioned that I have a roof-mounted ski rack and hatch-mounted bike rack that I could use. The skiis/bikes don't have to sit inside with me.

It's good to hear that a non-S is still a fun car to drive! I plan to do a few test drives this weekend. Possibly swing down to Alexandria?

One last question: are there one or two especially important things I should look at on a used mini? Ideally, I'm shooting for minis with 50K miles. I plan to get a PPI but it would be good to know what sections to focus on.

 

Hi Eric and welcome. Mother Fgr and I have 3 Justas (Coopers) sedan and Clubman. The only time I find the non 'S' car challenged is for BIG overtakes. So you just have to be more observant and pick your moment. Mine are manuals and hers auto CVT. Their road holding is legend and brakes more than adequate.
The first thing to look at in any MINI (or BMW) is Service History. If it isn't good, walk away. The car might look wonderful but walk, trust me. Enjoy it when you get it and drive drive drive. Oh, and having been married twice and having a blood sucking ex - stick to cars as a partner!!

 

Hey Father Figure, thanks for the wisdom! Would you suggest that I stay away from dealerships then? As I understand it, they tend to toss all the service records from the previous owner.