Been thinking about picking up a used Mini for a year now, and thinking it's finally time to pull the trigger. Looking at a few 2010s, and wanted to get as much info as possible. I've been in the motorcycle world for the past 18 years and the world of Mini is alllll new to me. Forums are usually a great place to start. Thanks for having me.

Tom

 

Welcome to the NAM site...you'll definitely learn a lot from reading the various posts. Good luck with your MINI purchase! Post a pic after you get it.

 

where in Jersey? (I am too, just curious)
good luck with it! such a fun car to drive

 

Craig I'm in West Orange. You?

Tom

 

yea I am very local to you - in Glen Ridge (just down Bloowmfield Ave from Montclair) and have friends in W.O as well.

What kind of mini are you leaning toward? I've only had mine for about a month now, but I am always finding excuses to go out and drive it, so I am loving the car and it's experience. Once you get over everyone calling it "cute" you can really start to enjoy the car haha

I bought mine at Radical Motorsports (it is used - a 2011 Clubman S) up in Ramsay, NJ, which is almost next door to Prestige Mini), but had a relatively good experience while I was looking at Morristown Mini. I haven't had the car serviced yet, so I can't speak to that.

 

Craig I picked one up Monday. A used Cooper hardtop with the Bayswater package and only 7500 miles came up on the Morristown Mini website so I took a ride over. A test drive later and I was hooked. They pulled the old "It's the last day of the month so what can we do to get you in this car today?" line... but it worked. I was very happy with the dealership and the experience I had there. Thursday will be my first ride into the city with it.. we'll see how all those potholes feel.

 

When i was looking there, the prices seemed pretty reasonable. Did you get an S or a justa? Not familiar with the baywater package. I'll look it up auto? Manual? People in this forum are going to want pics and more info haha

Driving into the city is a mixed bag- potholes and the roads are mostly miserable. But its easier to park! Just try to avoid the right tube of the inbound lincoln tunnel- feels like the road is a washboard and it will get your teeth to chatter!

Since you are close to south orange- take a little drive up through the reservation along south orange ave, and down along the reservation. Some fun roads along there (if only a few miles long)...

 

Nice. Congrats!

 

I've owned motorcycles for about 18 years now so I know all the good Jersey roads. Out west is amazing.. there's a reason NJ is known as the Garden State!

And I don't yet know what a "justa" is, but I didn't get the S model, only got the base (which I think is the Justa). The Bayswater package comes in Kite Blue, and I guess it gives you a special interior with nice blue and tan stitching, and nice door and dash panels. Rims are nice too. I'm not completely thrilled with the color... "Metrosexual Blue" as my wife calls it...but it's growing on me. And the car is a blast to drive.. S model or not. So far so good.

 

Welcome to NAM, RAAD. You'll certainly find your share of opinions here at NAM, and a great deal of useful information to boot. Hope you find the answers you're looking for to make the decision process to your new MINI an easy one.

 

yes, the "base" model is sort of known as the "justa" at least here in this forum. I looked up the bayswater - looks like a cool package. At least you can be pretty certain you won't see many others on the road, since that is a limited edition color ( I think?) and the two-tone stripes.

Anywhere else you know of that has a fun road to zip through? Wife and I are heading down to atlantic city today, so might look around down there too...

 

congrats on the purchase, RAAD... I'm two weeks into my 2010 MCS life and loving it (even the part about re-learning manual after many years away)... if you happen to see an SC driver struggling with those NJ hills at the end of the month, pull over and introduce yourself - I'll be on my way to New England...

 

 

Sounds good Ishihara!

I've never owned a manual until now, but coming from a motorcycle I understood the concept.. so I was able to adapt easily. I'm loving it.