My name is Jim, I'm 38 years old and live in Watkins Glen, NY.

We don't currently have a Mini, but I plan to buy one for my Wife's 40th birthday in August. (Surprise present) She loves Mini's and we see plenty here in town in the summer...

I'm here to learn more about the cars and make my purchase much better by being well informed. I'm sure this will start out being her car but I'll be tweaking it here and there along the way.

I'd like an S convertible but from the prices I've seen that won't happen. But I've found a few S's in my price range and fairly close to me so that's probably what we'll get.

Is the S necessary? Is the non-S still quick and fun to drive. My wife drives a Chrysler Sebring LXI right now. That car will be my Son's in the summer and he'll share it with her in the winter when I put the Mini up.

Any help with what to look for would be great.

Peace Jim

 

Welcome to NAM! I had a 04 MC and now have a 06MCS and they were both a blast to drive. I prefer the MCS because of the extra H/P but it does have a little harsher ride and a little noisey but the supercharger whine is a hoot.
Drive them both and decide>

06MCS/DS/B

 

What a great husband. :-) Mine is too....he bought me an 03 MC BRG/BL and moon roof 4 years ago. I love her!!!! I added great wheels and custom gold stripes. I am thinking of an 08 but not sure I can give her up yet. Most of our friends have "esses" and they do have more power but I have enough power to get 2 speeding tickets so.... she is fast enough. :-) On trips like down to the Dragon I get much better gas mileage and with these gas prices that is a good thing. Either way she'll love you and the car....not necessarily in that order. :-) Too bad she won't have it in time for you to come run the Dragon in May....next year. It is great fun and to see 400+ MINIs in one place at one time is amazing. Happy motoring.

 

Welcome to NAM!. I got an 07 S for the additional power.

 

Welcome 2 Nam! i bought an S cause thats what i test drove and its a little bit more sporty

 

Hey, Jim. Welcome to NAM.

As far as the choice of S or base Cooper goes, I bought my fiance a Cooper and she seems pretty darn happy with that.

It all depends on the type of driving you do and the kind of driver you are. We love the Coopers because they're quick enough for our needs and tons of fun to drive (and to mod). We appreciate the 31 mpg, too, because we both have commutes over 25 miles each way.

Drive both of them and see which one will suit your wife's needs.

Good luck on your decision !!

 

Hi Jim. welcome from Italy

FAb

 

Thanks for the tips guys. I am psyched to drive one for sure...

Being a summer only car it would be cool to get a conv. but we'll see.

dsg_va - I was just in Italy about a month ago, down in Rome. Didn't see many Mini's but I saw plenty of Smart cars. My 15 yr. old wants a smart car, he loves them but he's definetly ready for a Mini in the family. I don't know how he'll fit because he's 6'3" moving up on 6'4" kinda quick.

I have to get in a mini around here and know what I want first them maybe down to New Jersey where it seems like a lot of used ones are for sale.

Thanks again, Jim

 

I have on '06 MINI Cooper but still want an "S"