Need a bigger car so I'm getting a Mini!
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1st Gear
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 20
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Need a bigger car so I'm getting a Mini!
Yes, after 15 years of Miata ownership it's time for a little more room. Wanting the same small-car feel, tight handling, and head-turning retro looks, the list was very short, and topped by the Mini! I've driven a few but am holding out for the right one.
Why was I not surprised to find that I prefer the first-gen Minis? My current Miata is a '97 with only 82,000 miles on it (I got it at 62,000 ten years ago, obviously I don't get out much!), and I chose it specifically because it's the last of the first-gen models, which are lighter, simpler, and more retro than the later cars, but with all the kinks worked out. Sound familiar?
Ideally I would find a low-mileage '06 Mini S, but I may wind up with a newer model simply because the choices in my area are not that many and I'm picky about the color and features. I don't want a convertible, I'd even prefer not to have a sunroof but may have to accept one (they're so common on this car!). It has to be a stick and an interesting color (really, white, black, three greys and three blues, one of which turned out to be pretty much grey anyway? Give me red at least or BRG for preference! I s'pose a bright blue I could live with.) And if it doesn't have stripes I'll have to get some...
I'd also prefer an interesting cockpit. I was very, very sad to realize that the malt brown leather seats were convertible-only...they say "vintage cool" like nothing else. I presume some of the color-line stuff can be swapped in, but I'd like some nice seats already in the car. I'd honestly rather have cloth than leatherette, but that seems to be a minority opinion.
Well, that's plenty of babbling. The Miata forum was invaluable and this one looks much the same. Thanks to everyone who puts in time and energy to build community and help out your fellow car-lovers; I really, really appreciate it.
Why was I not surprised to find that I prefer the first-gen Minis? My current Miata is a '97 with only 82,000 miles on it (I got it at 62,000 ten years ago, obviously I don't get out much!), and I chose it specifically because it's the last of the first-gen models, which are lighter, simpler, and more retro than the later cars, but with all the kinks worked out. Sound familiar?
Ideally I would find a low-mileage '06 Mini S, but I may wind up with a newer model simply because the choices in my area are not that many and I'm picky about the color and features. I don't want a convertible, I'd even prefer not to have a sunroof but may have to accept one (they're so common on this car!). It has to be a stick and an interesting color (really, white, black, three greys and three blues, one of which turned out to be pretty much grey anyway? Give me red at least or BRG for preference! I s'pose a bright blue I could live with.) And if it doesn't have stripes I'll have to get some...
I'd also prefer an interesting cockpit. I was very, very sad to realize that the malt brown leather seats were convertible-only...they say "vintage cool" like nothing else. I presume some of the color-line stuff can be swapped in, but I'd like some nice seats already in the car. I'd honestly rather have cloth than leatherette, but that seems to be a minority opinion.
Well, that's plenty of babbling. The Miata forum was invaluable and this one looks much the same. Thanks to everyone who puts in time and energy to build community and help out your fellow car-lovers; I really, really appreciate it.
Welcome aboard. Where are you located? Here is some reading for you if you have not read this already.
http://www.motoringfile.com/mini-r50r53-buyers-guide/
What is your price range?
http://www.motoringfile.com/mini-r50r53-buyers-guide/
What is your price range?
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1st Gear
Joined: Jan 2013
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Hi Braminator, thanks. Yes, I did see that guide - there isn't really an equivalent for the 2007-and-up cars, is there? It's very, very helpful for what it is.
I'm in Western North Carolina, and I'm looking at around $15,000-$19,000 and under 50k miles, maybe up to 60k. There are certainly lots of choices if one spreads the net, but like I said finding the right combination is the trickiest part.
I drove a 2006 Checkmate that I liked quite a lot, but it had 70k miles and something squiffy was going on with the clutch - the pedal vibrated very slightly all the time and more when halfway depressed, which just confirmed all my concerns about buying a car with that kind of mileage. And there was a 2009 red-and-white with no sunroof (which I prefer) and 40k miles which was very nice EXCEPT it had been smoked in and I will never again buy a smoker's car...That sort of thing. I just need to be patient, I think, and stay on top of the listings. I might get a family member in another state to look at some cars for me.
I'm in Western North Carolina, and I'm looking at around $15,000-$19,000 and under 50k miles, maybe up to 60k. There are certainly lots of choices if one spreads the net, but like I said finding the right combination is the trickiest part.
I drove a 2006 Checkmate that I liked quite a lot, but it had 70k miles and something squiffy was going on with the clutch - the pedal vibrated very slightly all the time and more when halfway depressed, which just confirmed all my concerns about buying a car with that kind of mileage. And there was a 2009 red-and-white with no sunroof (which I prefer) and 40k miles which was very nice EXCEPT it had been smoked in and I will never again buy a smoker's car...That sort of thing. I just need to be patient, I think, and stay on top of the listings. I might get a family member in another state to look at some cars for me.
5th Gear
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 776
Likes: 2
Yes, after 15 years of Miata ownership it's time for a little more room. Wanting the same small-car feel, tight handling, and head-turning retro looks, the list was very short, and topped by the Mini! I've driven a few but am holding out for the right one.
Why was I not surprised to find that I prefer the first-gen Minis? My current Miata is a '97 with only 82,000 miles on it (I got it at 62,000 ten years ago, obviously I don't get out much!), and I chose it specifically because it's the last of the first-gen models, which are lighter, simpler, and more retro than the later cars, but with all the kinks worked out. Sound familiar?
Ideally I would find a low-mileage '06 Mini S, but I may wind up with a newer model simply because the choices in my area are not that many and I'm picky about the color and features. I don't want a convertible, I'd even prefer not to have a sunroof but may have to accept one (they're so common on this car!). It has to be a stick and an interesting color (really, white, black, three greys and three blues, one of which turned out to be pretty much grey anyway? Give me red at least or BRG for preference! I s'pose a bright blue I could live with.) And if it doesn't have stripes I'll have to get some...
I'd also prefer an interesting cockpit. I was very, very sad to realize that the malt brown leather seats were convertible-only...they say "vintage cool" like nothing else. I presume some of the color-line stuff can be swapped in, but I'd like some nice seats already in the car. I'd honestly rather have cloth than leatherette, but that seems to be a minority opinion.
Well, that's plenty of babbling. The Miata forum was invaluable and this one looks much the same. Thanks to everyone who puts in time and energy to build community and help out your fellow car-lovers; I really, really appreciate it.
Why was I not surprised to find that I prefer the first-gen Minis? My current Miata is a '97 with only 82,000 miles on it (I got it at 62,000 ten years ago, obviously I don't get out much!), and I chose it specifically because it's the last of the first-gen models, which are lighter, simpler, and more retro than the later cars, but with all the kinks worked out. Sound familiar?
Ideally I would find a low-mileage '06 Mini S, but I may wind up with a newer model simply because the choices in my area are not that many and I'm picky about the color and features. I don't want a convertible, I'd even prefer not to have a sunroof but may have to accept one (they're so common on this car!). It has to be a stick and an interesting color (really, white, black, three greys and three blues, one of which turned out to be pretty much grey anyway? Give me red at least or BRG for preference! I s'pose a bright blue I could live with.) And if it doesn't have stripes I'll have to get some...
I'd also prefer an interesting cockpit. I was very, very sad to realize that the malt brown leather seats were convertible-only...they say "vintage cool" like nothing else. I presume some of the color-line stuff can be swapped in, but I'd like some nice seats already in the car. I'd honestly rather have cloth than leatherette, but that seems to be a minority opinion.
Well, that's plenty of babbling. The Miata forum was invaluable and this one looks much the same. Thanks to everyone who puts in time and energy to build community and help out your fellow car-lovers; I really, really appreciate it.
Old Fashioned Girl,
Best of luck to you and welcome. This forum has been very helpful to me. Hope you find the one little MINI that just speaks your name. It happened to me, when I least expected it.
I'm in Western North Carolina, and I'm looking at around $15,000-$19,000 and under 50k miles, maybe up to 60k. There are certainly lots of choices if one spreads the net, but like I said finding the right combination is the trickiest part.
1. Waterpump issues
2. Thermostat housings
3. Timing chain tensioners and guides
4. Cold start issues
5. PCV
6. You will need walnut blasting of the valves
7. Change your oil faithfully every 5k ro you will regret it
I know there are some others but I don't want to scare you off. I just feel you should know what you could get yourself into. Make sure you get an extended warranty for as long as you can and can afford. It will pay for itself unfortunately.
You will become very intimate with your MINI during your ownership. If you don't know anything about cars you will during your ownership. They are still amazing cars that generate HUGE smiles everytime you drive it. You face will hurt from smiling 24/7 when you are in your MINI. Be good to it and it should be good back to you.
You are going to get lots of responses to this so be prepared and good luck with your search.
Just so you know I prefer the R50/53 MINI's. You already know about them so this is more about the issues on the R56 2007-and up.
Here is some more reading material for you
http://www.motoringfile.com/section/recallscampaigns/
Comparison
http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/11/...-s-r53-vs-r56/
Here is some more reading material for you
http://www.motoringfile.com/section/recallscampaigns/
Comparison
http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/11/...-s-r53-vs-r56/
Last edited by Braminator; Jan 28, 2013 at 05:09 PM.
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5th Gear
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,036
Likes: 0
From: Burlington, New Jersey
Hi and welcome! I bought a MINI Cooper twice in the last year. LOL 1st was a Cooper in Lightning Blue off the lot in Dec. '11. Loved it so much but wanted more options that I ordered one to my spec in Oct. '12. I often find it more fun to drive a "slower" car fast than a "fast" car slow, so that's why I went with the Cooper, not Cooper S.
Lots of luck on your search!
Lots of luck on your search!
3rd Gear
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 262
Likes: 1
From: San Jose, CA
I like this one - 2009 Mini Cooper S (sorry the selection within 200 miles of Charlotte was pretty lousy in the pre-2007 models :( It's listed at $16,950 / 40K miles - but I'd try and pay like $15k for it. Also, there is not one snazzy interior on the eastern seaboard. Apparently people who put in the effort on customizing the interior like to keep their Minis. You'll have to do some chrome/carbon/wood/colorline trim yourself - but hey, then you get to pick the colors!
Located Here
Located Here
3rd Gear
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 259
Likes: 1
From: Perth West Australia in an industrial unit with my numerous cars.
Hi and welcome. MINIMotherFigure and I have 3 between us. Great cars, love them to death. Service them often and they will laaaaasssssssssssstt. They are well built, even if they are a bit 'sensitive'. Drive and grin!
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