Hi everyone! I'm finding this site a great place to research anything and everything about the Mini. I've never had a Mini, not even been a passenger in one yet but I know it'll be a blast to drive and that's what I like. Driver dynamics. It's got to be good! At the current time I'm researching so I know what I'm getting into and can make a reasonable purchase decision. At this time I'm leaning toward the 2013-2014 R56 S Hatchback or JCW. And being a big fan of DIY, it appears there's plenty of info and enthusiast here to offer advice if and when needed. It'll be my #2 car but primary driver. #1 is and will remain my 2016 Boxster GTS. When it's cold, windy, rainy, snowy, stormy or just too hot, the Mini will get exercised. And knowing it'll be fun to drive I expect too that it'll get some good use on the good days too. It's nice to have a choice between two really excellent "driver" vehicles.

Mark

 

Welcome to the forum. With a Boxster GTS as a daily driver, I suspect you will appreciate a MINI as a second car. Be forewarned, however, I anticipate that you will not relegate the MINI to just the rainy, snowy and so on days. I bet you will take the MINI when you want to enjoy a twisting mountain road with an experience that is a little different than you Boxster. My prediction will be 50/50 or better split between the two.

The 2013 and 2014 are different generations.

Drive all three generations before you decide which one to go with. The old rules of used car buying are more relevant with MINIs than most brands. The final years of each generation are typically the most reliable. Buy the best maintained vehicle you can afford and so on.

The three generations have different personalities. The first generation, to 2006, is the most basic and has the most go-cart like handling. the second generation to 2013 and the third from 2014 on, are each more refined than the previous.

Good luck and ask any questions. The forum members are great and are always willing to share their knowledge. Let us know what you decide.

 

Appreciate the welcome. The Boxster is only a daily driver when the weather cooperates. Being in the northeast, that isn't now and hasn't been since mid November really. This has been one of those years where it's stayed covered and on life support for months. Usually we'll get a few really nice days during the winter months where you can really take it out and enjoy it (...the Boxster that is). I'm seriously feeling deprived this year! My current DD is a 2008 Cayenne S which I'm preparing to sell. While the 385 HP Cayenne is truly a very sporty SUV in its own right, it isn't nearly as much fun as the Boxster. I believe the Mini will cure my feeling of being deprived of true sporty ear to ear grinning fun when I won't let the Boxster come out to play. And I don't doubt your forewarning. My expectations are high and I doubt that I'll be let down.

As for the 2013 and 2014 being different generations, that was just a test to see if anyone was listening . But seriously, I don't know for sure where I got that a 2014 was still a Gen2 but I started to suspect I was wrong earlier today when looking through classifieds online, and then your comment settled it for me. I did read here how the later models within a generation are typically the most refined and reliable and picked what I thought were the last 2 model years within Gen2. So I stand corrected. I'll be looking for a 2012-2013. I'd prefer to shy away from the beginning of a generation and while I could buy new, I've decided to let someone else take the massive depreciation hit for once. I'll use the revenue from the sale of the Cayenne plus a bit of savings to get into a new to me Mini. I don't know that I want to go with an older unit, but if one jumps out that grabs my attention and maintenance records shows that it was well maintained by an enthusiast, maybe I'd consider it.

Once I've pulled the trigger, I'll certainly mention it. Until then I'll continue to refine my thoughts and absorb as much as I can from the fine folks here on NAM.

Mark

 

Yep, 2014+ starts the Gen 3 for most. Gen 1 is more raw, gen 2 the suspensions are more soft and gen3 they are even softer then the last. Drive all three and then decide, thats what i would do, I have a Gen 1 and Gen 2 right now i drive daily.

 

Odd, but I replied to miniCPA a couple days ago and it's not here... Anyway, between the time I left my first message and miniCPA's response I had started doubting that the 2014 was a R56. I was looking at various Mini's for sale and noticed a huge difference on the dash, which tipped me off that I was probably wrong. But then this morning when referring back to the "Mini Model/Color Abbreviations Cheat Sheet" in 1st Gear, right there it says the R56 goes from 2007-2014 and the F models start in 2015. Might that need correction? It threw me off for sure.

By the way, thanks for the welcomes and advice. While I'm thinking I'd go with a late Gen2, I may still consider others. If I get the chance to drive each of the three, especially with a stick, I will.