OK guys and gals, I have been perusing the forum for a week or so now, trying to learn good tips and tricks about this car, and I don't even own one yet. I am dying to own one, but I need the RIGHT one. Here's the deal. I don't want to spend over $11,000 and I want to get the best car possible. I am strongly leaning S, but I am open to options.

I can get a fully loaded 2005 Justa, in red, with 124000 miles for $8300 before tax and tags.

I can get an almost fully loaded 2003 S in red with white stripes on the hood with 85000 miles for 8800

Or option 3 - a 2004 S loaded up the same way as the 04 in Gray with white stripes and 69000 for 10600.

All seem like good options to me, especially when looking at Edmunds. And I know people are big about independant inspections, but assuming all things are equal and these cars are all in tip top shape, which would you choose. Now factor in that you have 1 son and another on the way, you are trying to have fun yet be practical - get good gas mileage but still be functional and fun all at the same time? What say you? I need some opinions!!!

I can easily justify any of the 3 at any time. On color alone I like the 04. On features alone I love the 05 (hate the miles though it is a 1 owner with all service records)... The 03 is solid, but it is a private party car and I don't know the guy so trust is low. At least with a dealer they have a rep to uphold...

 

I always buy new cars but if I was buying a used car, I would NOT go to a dealer -- I trust private parties a lot more than dealers (dealer = zero trust, imo).

The advantage you have of going with a private party, especially an original owner, is that he/she knows everything about the car, and should be able to produce complete documentation which you can and should examine and question. You know absolutely nothing about a car's background when buying from a dealer.

You also have the chance to size up a private party as to what kind of driving was likely done and what kind of maintenance/TLC the car likely got. Plus you should be able to get all of the maintenance receipts (or copies) so that you'll always know what was and wasn't done to the car. Conversely, you'll know nothing about previous owner(s) or the car's maintenance history when buying from a dealer.

Good luck in your search, take your time, and never fall in love with a particular car or seller!

 

Don't know where you live or how big your market for used MINI's is, but I would try to find something with lower miles, maybe an '05 "S" with less than 50K on the dial. I certainly wouldn't go for the 124K '05, and would be less than enthused with the '03 and 88K. I think you could continue to look a bit and try to find a better deal.

 

Thanks for the feedback 911fan!

Bens - I would love to look for an 05 S with less than 50k miles, but that will put me out of my price range.

 

I live in Southeastern PA btw.

 

The 04 does not seem to be a bad deal at all. When I was looking I could not find anything comparable to the price and mileage as the 04 you are looking at. Just curious, do you have a link to the 04? Reason being, I looked everywhere and may have looked at the one you are interested in.

 

Just literally got back from driving the 04. That thing was BEAT... You could tell it was driven way too hard...

http://www.vwoflanghorne.com/VehicleDetails/581416923

 

Found 2 more 04's - one with 45k miles and one with 75k miles. My price range is creeping upward, which I don't like!

 

OK, so both of the 04s in my last post sold.

I did find an 06 justa with 45k miles in my price range so I am gonna check that out.

Still looking at the 03 S with 85k miles because 8800 is a nice price...

 

LOL, you may not like it but that is where it is heading. When I started looking I was also in that price range, but as the search went on I kept increasing what I was willing to spend. It all depends on what you are looking for, I am very picky when it comes to my cars so I was willing to spend more on something that was well taken care of. Eventually ended up buying out of state becasue everything around my area was beat, scratched, nicked and not maintained properly. Be patient, I looked for 6 months before I bought.

 

BillyCuth

There are two things to consider when you buy a USED MINI.

The Owner
and
The CarFax http://www.carfax.com/

The Owner - If you can buy directly from the original owner, this is best to know as these cars are MODDED and tinkered with by people who have NO business doing so. Just be careful and buy a car that has less MODS under the hood as this will save you a lot of time and headache later.

The Carfax - GET ONE, GET ONE, GET ONE!!!!!!!! This will reveal actual mileage, accidents, thefts, transfer of titles. it is worth the little bit of money they charge!! If buying from the dealer...INSIST on them providing you with one at their expense.

 

It's funny that you mention this...

I walked away from my first "almost" purchase due to mods I found under the hood. No interest in that.

The 2003 I have my eye on for $8800 is the first owner (selling because he is buying another mini) and from what I can tell he knows little about cars. He seems to be the type to take it in if something is wrong or if there is scheduled maintenance. Other than that, I don't expect anything to be modded. I am just concerned about 85000 miles when I am buying this thing to last me a long time (6+ years and beyond).

The 2006 intrigues me - last year of the old chassis, and it has low low miles. The price is excellent. Sure it doesnt have the upgraded seats or DSC or xenon headlights or the extra almost 50 horses... But it does have everything else and would make a great commuter car. I can't wait to at least check it out.

I found an 05 S with 75k miles that is a little more than I want to spend, but if they can come down in price, who knows?

 

After about 60,000 miles, MINIs will start to deteriorate and fall apart. Be prepared to spend a lot of money on repairs. They are not built to last. You would be much better off trying to buy a new one somehow because in the long run you'll have spent the same amount.

The Mini "S" is NOT going to give you great gas mileage. You will be lucky to break the 28mpg on the highway, and requiring PREMIUM gas, despite what people think, it's not at all economical.

 

I dont think they deteriorate THAT badly. They seem to do just as well as most newer cars...

Anyway I am leaning towards the 06, strongly.

 

I speak from experience.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

Despite one person's experience, most can testify that these are well built cars. I have 116K miles on my '05 S. It has required no repairs, but has a lot of mods! It runs like new. I did not buy an "economy car" nor did I ever intend to. I got a fun, reliable car that goes like stink!

I hope you can find a good one. Many Michigan MINI club members have well over 100K. One guy is pushing 300K on his '02!

 

like anything else, (with some exceptions to the rule - i realize lemons DO exist) it's how you maintain it that dictates how long it's gonna last.

when you got guys who simply rely on a computer to tell them when to maintain their vehicle, that's a problem. in my opinion anyway...

 

The 06 was sold, and the 05 S wont budge on the price, so it's looking like the original 03 S with 85k miles. I ordered an independent inspection, and the guy is the first owner (and detailing the car). It's got everything I want except for the mileage, and it's a great price. Just have to maintain it. Keep your fingers crossed for me that it is the ONE.

 

Good luck Billy, the 03 sounds like a good deal. I don't put a lot of faith in Carfax (see link below), so it's great that you're getting an independant inspection done. Let us know how you make out.

http://www.cbc.ca/consumer/story/200...ce-carfax.html

 

Thanks Kemo... Looking forward to being an active and contributing member to the NAM community!

 

I just filled up my 07 MCS/JCW tune. I went 300 miles on 10.5 gallons around town. That's 28 MPG. Short expressway rides in the area yielded 38-42 MPG. No long trips in this car yet. I had an 03 MCS that got 37 MPG from Michigan to South Carolina. Just my experience!

 

t minus 24 hours and counting until I give my 03 S a visual inspection, hand over the check and drive away with a big smile on my face! (fingers crossed!)

 

Well, you've done all the right things ("due diligence") so you've maximized your chances of buying a good Mini. Hope everything works out for you tomorrow and you're smiling uncontrollably when you get home!

 

Good luck on your car choice. I highly recommend an S. I'm sure the MINI Cooper is fun as well, and I followed one that set a blistering pace on the hilly curvy road we were on, but still, gotta love the extra zip of the S! I hope you find the ONE!

 

You can also use the NADA guide website as an alternative to CarFax. One lookup was $20, but UNLIMITED LOOKUPS was $30 for 60 days. Here's the URL: http://www.autocheck.com/?WT.mc_id=1451&siteID=1451. Wow! They're up to $45 for 60 days! If you are seriously shopping, this is what I recommend. If you look up alot of cars, they will ask you about whether you are a business. Just say no.