Hi all, new girl here, first post. I will state right off that I know very little about Minis or actually cars in general, but I'm learning. I wanted to see if y'all could maybe give me a few informed opinions about a decision I'm trying to make.
I currently have a 95 Honda Civic coupe that my brother gave me. Basically it's on its last leg (and the AC doesn't work; major problem in the South) so I've been looking for a new vehicle. I've loved the look of the Mini Cooper for a long time, but didn't think I'd be able to afford one. Well, I found a 2005 Pepper White Hardtop, with around 35,000 miles on it, for $14,995. (My top budget was $15,000.) It's had two owners, and was in one accident last year with very minimal damage (the airbags didn't deploy and whatever scratches were involved have apparently been repaired). It's a beautiful little car and since I saw it I've been completely in love. This may be the only time in my life that I'm able to drive this kind of car, since the next car I buy will probably be more of a family vehicle.
All that said, I'm hesitating. Several people have been very discouraging, saying the maintenance will be far too expensive etc. If I did go for the MC, I'd probably put regular tires on it instead of RunFlats, and I'd make sure the brake pads have been taken care of recently, so it seems to me I'd only be in trouble if something actually went wrong. The other cars I'm seriously considering are an Accord, a Civic, and a Scion xD. What do y'all think? Is a MINI Cooper a practical car for a twentysomething young lady who lives on her own and admittedly knows very little about cars? Is a MINI the type of car that will have lots of little problems that need fixing, or am I okay as long as I make sure this particular car is in good running order? We do now have an actual dealership 45 mins away if that helps me any, although I hear they can be expensive. Also, revealing my ignorance, do I have to take it to a mechanic familiar with MINIs for oil changes, or can anybody do it?
Thanks so much for any advice, and I apologize for my longwindedness. I really do love this little car; it's really the only car I've ever gotten actually excited about.

 

Welllllll..... You'll find we're biased a bit, but... We will try and help.

I'd be skeptical of any car that has been in any wreck, whether it was "light" or not. I'd have it checked by a MINI mechanic anyway. What i mean by MINI Mechanic isn't a dealership mechanic, but an independent mechanic that has worked on quite a few MINIs. MINIs have quite a few quirks in their engineering that might seem like MINIscule differences between other brands that can do some real damage if they are overlooked. Because of that never have a MINI worked on by someone who has little to no XP with MINIs.

First off a few more questions about the MINI in question.

Is it a Cooper, or Cooper S?
Is it Auto or Manual?
Where do you live? There are many highly respected MINI mechanics around the US. Knowing this we can point you to the closest.

Those two are really important.

As far as oil changes. You have to use an OEM oil filter (or clone). You cannot use a "walmart" bargain store one that is the right size. But the oil change itself is easy, you can do it yourself. You just have to install the filter correctly, or the engine WILL die.


But with all that considered, the last line you typed "I really do love this little car; it's really the only car I've ever gotten actually excited about." Is all that matters

 

Thanks for the nice response!
It's a Cooper. Automatic.
I live in Daphne, AL, right across the bay from Mobile and 45 mins from Pensacola, FL.
I haven't a clue how to change my own oil in any car right now but if I could find somebody who knows MINIs around here I'd be willing to learn.
And the wreck does worry me just a little so again, if I knew of a mechanic familiar with MINIs I'd definitely want to get it checked out thoroughly.

 

Well, The sad news. "Just-a-Cooper"s had the CVT Automatic. It's a long name basically saying that It is a 1 speed transmission that simulates gears. It isn't really reliable and is quite prone to break. But 05/06 had the best reliability on the CVTs. Its really a game of luck on them.

http://www.motoringfile.com/mini-r50r53-buyers-guide/

You might look at that, It highlights all of the pros/cons of 1st Generation MINI ownership.

Someone should reply relatively soon about local mechanics. There are a lot of us who like to help. I live in Arkansas, So I don't know any local mechanics for you.

 

If you are wanting an automatic, stay away from the CVTs, go for an automatic Cooper S. It has a regular auto transmission and not the fragile CVT.


Here is an Automatic Cooper S close by to you for sale in the Marketplace. Mileage and price are about the same, plus you'd be getting more options, more power, and a better transmission.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...t/11978/cat/12

The car is in Atlanta, Georgia.

 

Katie I agree with nabeshin stay away from the CVT auto trans. in the 2002-2006 base MINI's. If it breaks, which they sometimes do, it's $7000 to replace! Look around some more, you will find a nice car somewhere. And yes MINI's do make good relaible daily drivers and are lots more fun than your typical Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Ford or Chevy.

 

Nabeshin has a great point, and a great suggestion. That MCS linked looks solid, and I believe Way Motor Works is in Atlanta. Best one stop MINI shop in the US. And Wayland would definately be able to Verify that it is a solid MINI before you purchase it.

 

Thanks for the help. I didn't know that about the transmission. I'm going to test drive a few cars today (for various reasons, I really need to have a new vehicle within a week or two). The only Cooper S's I can find close to me (it's not practical right now for me to drive more than 30 mins away) are well out of my price range and I honestly didn't care for the color of any of them. (I guess I'm stuck on the Pepper White color.) So if I find something today I like (as in not a MINI) I will probably go for it. If I don't I will wait another week or two and continue to look for an S, but I don't have much hope something will come up. Right now I'm thinking I may hold off until 2012; I'll probably be getting married that year and would feel a little more comfortable about owning any kind of MINI (plus he can help out a little with the cost!). Thanks for your help, and I'll definitely still be stopping by here to look around, until I can post legitimately!

 

CVT transmissions can be extremely reliable. The ones in Nissan's are great. But apparently, the ones in Mini's aren't so great. From what I've heard about them, I wouldn't touch one in a Mini. If you can drive a stick, get the 5 speed manual. It's great fun.