I have been driving my Subaru STI as a daily and well I love the car so much I want to use it as a weekend car. I am thinking about a Mini S as a daily . I average around 400-750 miles a week. I drove a Mini on my vacation and fell in love with the car. Its not the fastest thing around but its sure is a fun car. I guess my question is : Is it worth spending money on a used one or a new one and what year should I stay away from if any ?

 

i think your money would be better off ordering a new MINI. because these cars depreciate so well, if you were looking for an 2004 loaded MCS, then you'd likely be in the price range of just ordering a nicely equipped 05 MCS. i've found that dealers that get a used MINI will mark it up to the point where it's beyond the original sticker, because they KNOW it's gonna be gone within a week.

 

Just another opinion...I too recommend buying new. Resale value is so high used MINIs are not a bargain. Also from reading NAM archives I have gotten a sense that the BMW has been responding to early owners' complaints. If you will be saving your Subaru for a weekend driver then I recommend buying a Cooper and not an S for your daily commuter. If you are considering the economy of buying used then the Cooper will save you purchase and upkeep costs. It gets much better mileage and you drive enough that you will notice the difference. Also, the Cooper can be as quick through the turns as the S and at least as rewarding to drive well. I have an MCSa that is probably MINI's gas-guzzler model, but I only drive about 5000 miles a year. After you decide which MINI model is right for you then prepare to spend even more time trying to figure color and specifications! Have fun.

 

I think you will find the Mini Cooper S to be a much more fun daily driver. The power curve is much more linear and in some instances it feels quicker than the STi, and in some cases it is faster (i.e. higher gear at lower speeds). Unless the STi is into boost it sometimes feels sluggish. If you are going to buy used, stick to later models (i.e. 2004-2005) since they tend to have a few less problems, and feel more solid.

 

I'd pick the 2005 model.

Lots of little upgrades, and more power too!

 

Thanks guys for the input. It seems as though a new Mini maybe the right the right approach for what I intend on using it for. I will have a hell of a time just picking out what I want on it. Any suggestions....

 

If you buy a used MINI, which is what I did, then make sure it is still under warranty. Mine had a lot of problems for only having 17k, but everything was fixed due to the warranty. (you also have to make sure that you have a competent MINI dealer who knows how to fix your MINI). There are great deals out there when it comes to used MINIs, you just have to do some digging. For instance, mine was about $7000 below retail.

 

I would disagree about buying a Cooper for economy and maintenance savings. I have a MCS and get high 30's on highway and high 20's in mixed.
No doubt the Cooper handles as well as the "S" and in Autocrossing the less power actually helps for not spinning wheels;

I think with you being used to STI, you would feel Cooper is underpowered. You probably should drive both to make yur desicion.

New vs. Used... Many MINI owners are meticulous. I would not fear buying a used, but you don't get to spec it your way. If you find a good deal on a used one, go for it. If you can wait a month or two, order a new one.

Good Luck and welcome to the family (hopefully)

Double MCS owner
'03 LY/Black
'04 Indy Blue/White

 

I recently sold my 2004 Corvette Z06. It was a sad day indeed, but I needed to make the change. With the under-rated 405HP and 400lbs of torque, the MCS will surely be "different".
The Z06 was lacking the headroom I needed to wear a helmet. So I could not take the beast to the track which what it is designed for. On the street, you can't really use the power as things just happen too quickly. You hit speeds that will easily get you thrown in jail in a hurry. But I will surely miss the instant torque of the V8.

The MCS gives me all kind of headroom. It will allow me to play more in real world traffic which is where I spend most of my driving time. It will also do well on the track. The size alone will make it seem faster, that and the go-kart like handling.

What I am trying to say is that: its better to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow.

I ordered a new one as the used ones are just as expensive! I got mine for under MSRP. The mini is half the price of the vette, so that alone will make it more fun! Besides, I have a Scion xB for my "beater" car. So it will make the Mini seem that much faster.

Good luck with your decision!
mike

 

FWIW, I'd go for a new MCS, simply b/c of the options available for mods down the road. In the event you caught the bug of upgrading your car, you'll probably kick yourself for not buying more power (MCS vs. MC) up front.

Lastly, since the Mini has such classic lines & proportions, you may want to keep the Mini in the garage for years to come, then why not get the one personalized for your tastes? Just my $.02.:smile:

 

I owned a 1999 Subaru RS2.5, and was a member of SOA's Internet Performance Panel (SOA= Subaru of America) - we got to drive the US-Spec WRX when it was introduced. I actually preffered the handling performance of my RS to the WRX, but did appreciate the WRX's additional power...

Anyway, I'm a VERY happy owner of an '05 MCS, and I would strongly recommend getting the S version over the base Cooper. After the Subie's performance, I think you'll appreciate the supercharged version of the MINI a lot. Also, I would strongly recommend a new '05 over an older S, since the gear ratios have been improved for low-end torque. Also, the '05 has LSD as an option.

I miss my RS, but the MCS is tons of fun!

_Dave_

 

I have to say that the Mini community although is very new to me. It just as educated as the Suby guys I have come acrossed. Please take this as a compliment. Subaru owners for the most part see there cars as a passion and that is cleary the case with mini owners as well. Thank you all for the information. I believe that I will end up going with a Mini S and have a hell of time picking out the many options that are available. Thanks again.

 

Many people have a tough time ordering their Mini because of all of the options available and the fact that you can choose options ala carte. I really like this ability, and unfortunately it hasn't been seen much since the 70's, when car manufacturers began to put everything into packages. Unfortunately it has gotten so bad that you can't even order packages anymore, just models (i.e. Honda and Acura). The only thing unique between any of these cars is color, or aftermarket accessories.

 

if you are buying used, and its one i wouldnt recommend, i'd be careful of older models with problems... low mileage 02s mite be a recipe for tons of repairs... however, i believe there's a person selling a 03 with hre wheels...

the 04s and 05s are reliable.. but you might as well buy new... better selection, and you get factory lsd (from the sound of it, you drive it hard enough to appreciate the lsd!)

 

ha. this thread is all people getting out of hardcore performance cars to get into fun little cars. Im looking to sell my modded evo for a mini S.. id really like to keep the evo and get a mini as a daily driver but i dont know if it will be possible problem with alot of performance car is that you cant really push the car at all when just daily driving. We have plenty of great roads in califorina that i can get crazy with, but i have to drive like grandma around town just to get 25mpg

 

Out of curiosity, have you driven a MC? I had one for a loaner car for about a week, and my hubby drove it around. He normally drives a stage 4 EVO and he was rather impressed by the peppiness of the MC as a daily driver car, plus he was getting 37mpg doing 80+. He would've gotten much better mileage if he was going a bit slower, but I'm not sure he knows how to do that . So, go give a MC an honest test drive, I would recommend a manual though. You might be surprised

 

2005 mcs w/LSD

 

You have good taste!

If I could have one more car....

STi aight!!

 

I bought used and am very happy with the car. It's a2004 with ontly 9500 miles. Sure, it cost nearly as much as a new one, but it had everything I was looking for and I got it right away. In my area you have to wait about 9-12 months for a car at MSRP and 3-6 months if you go to a dealer with a $2500 markup. I suggest looking around for a used one first. You might not find what you want and end up buying new anyway, but you might find a used one that fits you well. Mine was still cheaper than a new one, if only by $3000 or so. Good luck!