Just joined up to learn more about Minis. Maybe buying a used one for my daughter.

 

Welcome to NAM. I hope you find the information contained in threads useful in making up your mind about purchasing a MINI.

 

Welcome the MINI is a very unique and exciting car which makes driving pleasurable! NAM is a great resource to help you learn everything!

 

Test drive a few. You might end up wanting one for yourself.

 

Hello SlothsRUs and welcome to the NAMily!

Hope that you find us MINIacs fun to be with and informative! You are now that much closer to getting that MINI! Once the MINI/Mini bug bites you there is no turning back.

Oh and when you do get that MINI don't forget to post some pics here on NAM for your brothers and sisters, cause we love pics... yes we do!

Then you will be able to break out of the ordinary and become extraordinary! You will be eligible to take the oath and join the League of Extraordinary MINIacs and save the wave!

https://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/general-mini-talk/256292-want-to-join-the-league-of-extraordinary-miniacs.html

OR you can join up on Facebook at:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1404...group_activity


May there be a MINI in your future soon!

 

Actually...my wife already has a 2009 Clubman S.

I have searched around the forums for a few days now. I joined so I could post. I tried to post something in the gen 1 forum, but for some reason it disappeared into the ether. I'm going to try again in a sec.

For now, can anyone give me thought on reliability of a gen 1 (say 05-06) vs a 2007 gen 2? Assuming proper regular maintenance, of course, is 80-100k miles middle-aged, or over the hill?

Aha! I tried reposting my thread from last night and noticed the message that it has to be approved by a mod first. I apologize to the mod for the double-post

 

Gen 1 05-06 Are quite reliable. DO NOT IMO buy or look at a 2007 R56. Look later like your wife's. Do you know that the Gen1 is supercharged and the Gen2 is turbo? Go drive a R52/53 and see how you like those. Then you can compare it to your wife's.

Yeah what he said

 

I'm trying to stay under $10k. That's why we're looking at older models. I don't plan to get a 16 year old anything with a supercharger or turbo. She can be happy with a normally aspirated Mini. Every time she shows me a Mini that ends in "S" I tell her to keep looking.

Here is the one she is currently bugging me for.

 

Ack, my reply has to be approved. Is it because I included a link?

 

In addition to a CARFAX report I suggest getting a printout of the service/repair history of the Mini you're considering. Assuming it has been faithfully serviced by an authorized Mini dealer you can learn a lot. Good luck!

 

That MINI looks really good except under the bonnet. Never seen a used car for sale that hasn't had the engine detailed. That Cooper probably runs amazingly @ that mileage. As ColaTownMINI said, pull the carfax and service records.

 

I was thinking the same thing.

 

If you are limiting your search to a Justa, IMHO don't be afraid of getting any Gen 2 MINI. Drive both Generations. Gen 1 is often described as raw, while Gen 2 is described as more refined. Both types have their fans and detractors.

The MINI you posted looks sweet, but what a mistake the dealership has made in not cleaning the engine compartment. The only thing I can see from the pictures is the need for some rubber floor mats.

 

That's actually good. It reduces the curb appeal, but allows you to see if there are any leaks that would be masked by a detailing. An un-cleaned motor is a plus!

 

That makes sense

 

Just an FYI, I got my Mini just last week from Mini of Chicago. They came down almost $2k from the original asking price they advertised. Don't be afraid to beat them down, more so if you are not trading a car in.

 

Thanks for the tip! I actually contacted them yesterday and they just sold it. I found a great looking one on CL up in Wisconsin from a private seller, but it was already sold to. The search goes on...

 

I'm not set on a gen one. Since I need to keep the price down below $10k I just don't think there will be any priced right. Bramenator (above) suggested I don't look at 07's. That would leave an 08 as the oldest second gen. for consideration. I'll have to search around the forums for 07+ reliability.

 

Ok, so I may take a road trip to take a look at two used Minis tomorrow. One is a 2006 Manual with 81,000 miles asking price is $9,988. The other is a 2008 manual with 71,500 miles. The dealership is asking $10,900. So it's $1000 for 2 years newer and 10k fewer miles.

I know everyone says 2006 is the sweet spot for gen 1's. I haven't seen anything specific regarding 2008's. Would anyone like to share some words of wisdom? I'll post links up in a separate post because I don't know if I have enough posts yet for it to not be delayed for mod approval.

 

Here is the 2006.

Here is the 2008.

 

I love the 1st gen but based on these 2 I would go with the 2008. Just get an extended warranty with either.

 

I supposed spoiled is an understatement.

 

Awesome. Good luck.

 

Thanks to the NAM community for all of the support and advice!

 

You rock! My dad bought me a 1968 VW Beetle in high school after promising me a classic. Thanks for encouraging good car taste!