Hey everyone,

I'm thinking of picking up a used MINI for my next car. Only problem is that it'd have to be parked on the street, since garage rates are now nowhere near affordable. I live on the UWS of NYC - was wondering if any of you are street parking yours and what the experience has been like.

The alternative is buying something like a VW GTI (which are cheaper and therefore easier to live with dents), but I'm really itching for a MINI...

Thoughts?

Thanks!
Adam

 

Welcome to NAM! I don't live in NYC and can't answer your question, but I wanted to say "hi!"

 

Living with a MINI in NYC would be like living with any other car in NYC. The car is gonna take its share of abuse. The main advantage of a MINI in NYC is that you'll be able to get into parking spots that no one else will.

Zip

 

Seen several parked for the last couple of years around Tudor City near the UN. They can always squeeze into the tight spaces. Don't look any more dinged up than the usual NYC car....

 

Ah, see, everything is relative. Just how dinged up is the 'average' NYC car?

Zip

 

do it! you only live once! motor on!

 

+1

- KP

 

Welcome to NAM!

 

Welcome!

 

That is a huge advantage, I have been able to park in spots here in DC on a regular basis that I would never have fit in otherwise. Once I got my MINI into a spot that I didn't even think it would fit in, later as I was pulling away an older, small Toyota Corolla came up behind me because he wanted the spot. But the guy took one look and drove on...

I would think a MINI would do as well as any other car on the Upper West Side though.

 

Not exactly an answer for you... but I had two different cars for about a year in NYC that I parked on the street (UWS - 80s) because of the insane garage rates. 1st was a 1976 BMW 2002 that was in pretty good shape, but I didn't worry too much about. It did well. The other was a Toyota Corolla. It did get a few cab door dings which made me mad.

However, since the MINI tends to be smaller, I would think that in addition to getting into tight spots, you might be able to get a little closer to the curb, which might help prevent cab dings... but probably not completely.

I may be moving back to NYC and I'm worried about bringing my MINI, too, but I have to say it is a great car and whether I park it on the street or find a garage that might be a bit further away but cheaper (say Astoria or way up on the upper west side) I'm still going to bring it.

By the way, my first experience driving a MINI was from ZipCar.com in NYC. They have several MINIs in garages around the city. I drove a MINI, a VW Beetle and a VW Golf. I think they only have automatics... which are probably better in the city anyway... but a fun way to test drive the MINI for a little longer than a dealer would normally let you... particularly getting on the Henry Hudson or getting out of the city for a bit. Check them out: zipcar.com. There used to be a MINI in the garage off of 116 and Broadway, I think, near Riverside church.


p.s. - I second this thought:
Oh yeah, one more thing... I live in TN and I got a ding on my MINI already, and I park away from everyone else in lots, so it can happen anywhere. Plus, you can always get dings fixed.

 

I live in Brooklyn, drive all over NYC, park on the streets. The car truly does fit into spots that no one else can. You know the classic 3/4 length NYC spots left over by people who leave themselves too much space.....made for MINI!!

i get parking on the street almost everywhere i go. Had the car for 3 months, a couple of small bumper dings, etc., it's a car and gets driven, stuff is gonna happen.

 

Awesome feedback - I appreciate it all!

Couple of questions...

In looking to buy a used MINI, are there any pointers, or places I can go to get info? Questions like:

- Are any years of production not as desireable (i.e. 2002?)
- Have there been reliability issues after a certain number of miles (i.e. don't buy a car with more than 50K miles)
- Are there certain options I should definately get?

The car is primarily for my wife. So though I'd love to get the "S", it's not really needed. Cost is a big factor here.

Advice is welcome!

 

well, you've come to the right place. in my opinion, NAM is the best resource for finding out things, asking questions, etc.

i was originally going to buy a used 2002 when I first started looking in July. I did a lot of research (actually hadn't found NAM at that point) but just reading on Edmunds and talking to some other MINI owners, they said to stay away from the 2002. not that they aren't great cars, but it was first year of production and therefore there were some problems.

my sense is that the closer you can get to a 2006, the better because each year different kinks got worked out. i've heard (but don't know for certain) that they changed the gearing, I think after 2004. the other thing, is that the CVT automatic in the Mini Cooper hasn't been great, although I've driven it in NYC and liked it, but from what I've read on here, there seems to be some problems with them at certain points. I think MINI will be discontinuing the CVT in the 2007s, so that says something to me. That said, I enjoyed driving the automatic, and I think the ZipCar in NYC was an MC. And, MCs are great cars. The extra power of the MCS is fun, but not completely necessary.

I "think" the automatic in the MCS has performed better. Plus it gives you the paddle shifters on the steering wheel to "shift"

I think if I could only get one option, I would go with the Multi-function steering wheel. It gives you cruise control (not necessary if you're not going on road trips), but my favorite is the radio controls. I do love my sunroof, though, so I bought the Premium package which gives you the MFSW, the sunroof and the on-board computer, so that's not a bad deal.

Good luck in your search!

 

In 2005, they went from a Midlands to a Getrag manual tranny in the Cooper. The Getrag is supposed to be far and away the better of the two.

Zip

 

HI I agree with DREW just remember that aside from dings bumper scratches which i hope u get clear stone guard it helps.Remember this is NYC life long street repairs look for underground parking lots{potholes}.Which destroy struts,balljoint,wheels etc be alert watch where u park and u should be fine good luck MARCO

 

I drive an S, but I've heard the "experts" say that if you're only commuting around the city and straight highways, get the Cooper, not the Cooper S; it's all the power a person needs. I see their point after driving my '06 Cooper S for 8,000 miles, and I've driven a loaner Cooper a couple of times in "regular" city driving. But I have no regrets with still getting the S version.

Whatever you decide, remember it's an all around MINI, they're both great models.