Hey everyone -

I have (or rather had) a 2005 MCS that was a great car. My wife was rear-ended in a traffic circle in DC two weeks ago (thankfully, she's wasn't hurt) but the insurance company wants to total the car. I haven't gotten the insurance check yet, but I'm looking for a replacement MINI Cooper S, and will need to move fairly quickly, since this was our only car.

Here are a few questions for my fellow MINI enthusiasts:

What kind of valuations have people been getting from GEICO? My car had the Sport and Premium packages, it was pristine, with only 13,500 miles. Sticker price new was $24,770. I'm guessing it comes in between $20,000 and $22,000.

A dealer near me has a few 2006 MCS models on hand. They have low miles due to test drives (EEK!), but assuming everything checks out, I might consider getting a red 2006 MCS that has 500 miles or so, since it has limited slip differential, and it is a color that my wife likes. They are extending the warranty, as well. What in particular should I look for to make sure it wasn't beat on by prospective customers?

There have been changes from 2006 and 2007 model years, and I know there must be a few threads where people debate the pros and cons of each model year (if you can direct me to them, that would be great). But given a choice between a new 2007 MCS and a new 2006 MCS, which would you choose?

I look forward to an interesting discussion.

Cary

 

Sorry to hear about the HB/W. I would say go with the '06. If you liked your '05 then it would be perfect. There are MANY threads about which is better. If you upgraded to the '08 drop top you could have the best of both worlds, a new R52.

 

The other threads pretty much beat everything to death. You really have to drive both. They are quite a bit different.

My brother has an '04 MCS MC40. LOVES a lot of the changes in mine.

I like the new motor and most of the interior changes. '07 gets better mileage. Personally, I wouldn't "go back" now that I have an '07.

CPO might be an option for you too. They are used, but get a really good warranty. I don't know prices, though.

 

Mileage and environmental factors are somewhat important, and weigh in favor of the 2007 model. If I must buy out of inventory (since I am not in a position to wait for a custom order), I'm leaning toward a car that hasn't been on many customer joyrides. Besides, I don't think reigniting the supercharger versus turbo debate will get me any further toward making a decision. They are both fun to drive!

I didn't do any performance mods on the 2006, so I don't suspect it will make a difference to go with the turbo at the end of the day.

I hear there is a new 2007 Laser Blue / White MCS in the showroom at Tate MINI that sounds as if it could fit the bill.

 

Buy one of each! On a serious note, good luck with finding yourself a replacement soon.

 

I was waiting for someone to say that!

I just got the valuation from GEICO. They're giving me $23,800! Sticker price on the car in 2005 was $24,770 (not including tax and tags, which are added into their price). LET'S HEAR IT FOR AWESOME MINI RESALE VALUES!

 

Be careful, the service department at Tate has earned themselves a very bad reputation amongst a number of DCMMers. That doesn't directly affect your sales department experience, but if you buy at Tate and get service done elsewhere (which you might well choose to do), you'll probably have more issues with loaners, etc. than you would if you bought and serviced at the same dealer.

Buyer beware!

If you decide on a 2nd Gen (R56) and you can manage it at all, I would seriously consider ordering a car to your spec, because few things can replace the sense of buying exactly the car you wanted, nothing more, nothing less. It's a wonderful feeling, and well worth the wait IMO! I understand though if you can't - you did say it was your only car.

Regardless of which way you go (1st Gen or 2nd Gen), good luck on your new purchase. I'm impartial to the R53 (1st Gen), but I can totally understand how some people may prefer the R56. It's very much a personal decision.

 

Glad to hear your wife is not hurt. At least the car can be replaced.
I have a 05 MCS. Yesterday, I had a 07 as a courtesy car while my car was being serviced so I got to put it through its paces for what I would normally drive for my daily needs.

I love driving my 05 and do not think upgrading to a 07 would be worth my effort (or money). However, if I were to buy a MINI today, I would buy the 07 as long as it has the sport button on it. If it doesn't, I definitely like my 05 better. I like the R53 engine sounds better than the (overly) refined noises of the R56, but that's just personal preference. The R56 is noticeably quicker and more fuel efficient. Other than that, the MINI designers have done a good job in preserving the driving sensations of the previous generation in this new model. Just personal opinion.

Good luck in your choice. Glad to hear it's still going to be a MINI

 

sorry to hear about the accident, glad the lizzard is cutting such a large check though!

I tested an 07 MCS and my current 06 MCS... well, you can figure out which one I liked better

Anyway, test drive one of each... your mind will be made up oneway or the other pretty fast...

BTW, my r53 was one of the first MiniNEXT (CPO) done by the local dealer...
the car had 8200 on it when I bought it (it was 1.5 yrs old) and I don't regret having saved ~6K over the cost of new if I could get it new...

Happy testing!

 

I live in Georgetown, and I will probably take the car to MINI of Sterling for repair work. I wish I could order the car and wait (that's what I did with the 2005) but I don't have the time.

I'm comparing a handful of vehicles at Towson, as well:

2006 Chili Red, Silver Black/Grey leatherette, anthracite headliner; cold weather package, anthracite dash; premium package; limited slip differential; white stripes; white roof; 16” v-spoke. $25,500

2007 Chili Red, leather lounge carbon black interior, premium package, piano black interior surface, and white roof and mirrors.$25,540

2007 Laser Blue, convenience package, premium package, chrome line interior, heated front seats, color line dark grey, rear fog lamp, interior surface brushed alloy, roof and mirrors in white, and grey/carbon black leatherette interior. 16” S-Winder $26,360.

I think I need to drive the 2007 to see how I feel about the turbo and styling differences. I kind of wanted one with Sport package (for the dynamic stability control and xenon lights) but the limited slip differential could give the 2006 an edge. It looks to be a decent price, as well, given the options.

I know it's mostly subjective, but is there anything about any of these cars that you would feel strongly about? My wife could care less and doesn't want to talk through the decision with me, so I turn to NAM.....

All best,

Cary

 

Have u ever thought of just buying the oldest, cheapest Honda Civic or CRX u can find in the meantime that's still running which will give you time to choose wisely? I mean, I'm pretty sure you can find some old clunker from the 80's for 500, more or less. Cost of insurance is cheap. You just seem to be under stress to get a vehicle right away which is understandable since it's your only vehicle. But you might be just settling for what's on the lot and end up just regretting not getting something later. If you go with the old junker, you have time to choose and order properly, and then just sell the junker away for the same price.

 

Cary,

Be aware that MINI of Sterling will not give you a free loaner for more than 24 hours if you didn't buy the car from them. Different dealers will have varying policies on that, but the bottom line is that you often won't get quite the same treatment if you buy from one dealer and have service done at another.

Towson's reputation is pretty good for service, as I understand it, so if you end up buying from there, you might want to consider going there for service as well.

 

I'm just curious, have you checked the lead time for a custom ordered MINI??? It might be worth renting a car for the time you are waiting. It used to be you could get a car for a month or two for a few hundred per month. I haven't checked recently... It might even be worth talking to the insurance company and/or dealer to see if either will help you out on the rent.

This is an important decision. If you find something you like on the lot, great. But you shouldn't have to "settle" for something less than you want due to circumstances beyond your control...

Good luck in any case! Let us know which option you choose...

-Ed

 

Thanks to everyone for the advice. There's really not any stress about the decision - just the typical MINI owner's obsession to detail! I had a great experience with my 2005, and subjective opinions aside, pretty much everything I read about the 2007 is positive. I'm at the point where I just need to compare the two side-by-side (to form my own subjective opinion), to take the 2007 out for a spin, and to walk the lot and see what color and option combinations are available.

Sure I'd prefer to spend any extra money on the options and features I want, and none of the ones I don't. We don't have a garage, so why should I pay for an integrated garage door opener? Leather? We don't need no stinkin' leather! We (and our dog) are perfectly happy with leatherette. But I don't want to deal with all the hassles of buying/registering/insuring a beater. Since we live in DC, we could probably get by with using a Zipcar in the interim. I certainly wouldn't mind (since I walk to work), but I know my wife doesn't want to deal with the inconvenience (she's and ER doc, and her shifts can start pretty early in the AM - not when you want to find yourself without a car).

So unless we come to the conclusion that we absolutely need a particular color or set of options that isn't available on the lot, it looks as if we are going to find a new MCS this weekend! I imagine the experience will be like choosing a new puppy. After you pick the breed (6 spd MCS), you don't go to the breeder with a list of specifications. You see the whole litter, and one will just strike you as being right. I'm trusting that the right MINI will choose us.