Hello everyone.

Currently I drive a lifted Nissan Titan crewcab standing over 7 feet tall. She's too big to fit into the underground parking structure of where we're moving. I need to buy a car! I've always owned trucks, Jeeps, SUV's. I know nothing about cars. I'm test driving a Mini this week though.

A Mini sounds fun to own and drive. I have a couple concerns was hoping some members here could help me with. I want an S, needs to be affordable (under $20k), have the HK system, and needs to be able to carry my dog. So from what I can see with pricing in San Diego, looks like 2006/2007 w/ anywhere from 30-50k miles on it is what I would be getting. I know the 06 & 07's are completely different cars.

My guess would be take the 06 since all the bugs of that model should be completely gone? How is reliability on these cars? Can I feel confident it will run fine when 80k miles hits? (would be my DD) Also, I'm a single guy, but have a 100lb dog. Can he fit fine in the backseat? Or do the backseats completely fold down and he can just hop in the back?

Also, how good is the HK system? I'm one that has always put an entire aftermarket stereo in my cars but I think I'm over it. Would rather just have an upgraded stock system that sounds good.

I'll do my best not to ask questions here that have been answered 1000 times....I'm a dirt guy, so I'm just lost when it comes to the car world, so I appreciate any advice or words of wisdom.

Thank you!

 

Price will depend on your market.. if you post up what area you are in someone might have some insight there! The 05 and 06 S models are generally known as the most solid model years, definitely the most sought after.

The seats do fold down, odds are good you can fit a dog back there. If you like you can even take them out completely, if you won't be carrying a lot of human passengers. A lot of people do that, I had my back seats out for awhile and it is pretty roomy back there.

The HK sound system sounds pretty good, I wish I had it. I have the base sound system and it's garbage.

Good luck, and welcome!

 

A Clubman's cargo area is a flat 3'x4' with the rear seats folded down. I put a piece of vinyl carpet runner over the floor, to protect the carpet. My yellow lab is happy back there, he just jumps through the rear doors.

I really like the HK radio. The bass is pretty good, for my music tastes. There is a lot of room for a bass speaker in the large storage area, under the floor in the back, if you think you need it.

I live out in the boondocks, so I also have an old Ford F350 Powerstroke 4x4, that I use for hauling rocks and dirt. I can't imagine being without a truck.

Dave

 

Well I traded in my F-150 FX4 on 35s for my first MINI. I got a 2009 as seen in my signature and they were asking $21k for 23k miles in sept of 2010. I got an S, auto with the auto air, cold weather, and sunroof. No HK but I will require it on the next car for sure. IMO Get the sencond gen and shop around you should be able to find a newer car for $20k or so with those options. Also if you can get the xenons the halogens are just not enough light.

I do not regret having a truck at all. 13.5 mpg city and highway, helping people move, harder to park, maneuver through traffic, etc. I drive 60+ miles a day and my drive is now back to enjoyable and rather fun.

 

I'm in San Diego. And that is awesome to hear the seats come completely out. He would have plenty of room to sit or lay down. I'll have to actually see what it looks like but I like the idea they come completely out.

That's what I'm facing here too. My commute is about to get to 60 miles a day, living Downtown where it's tough to maneuver her around, and I only get 12 MPG's cruising around on 35's. Like you said though, I have not regretting the 2 1/12 yrs I've had her....she has been fun bombing in the Desert.

 

If you are never looking to have any people in the back, consider a rear seat delete kit. Basically a carpeted piece of plywood to smooth out the floor behind the front seats.

If you are looking to buy non-dealer used, look on the marketplace here. You generally see cars that are much more cared for than the general public. Also, some come pre-modded.

Your truck was good at desert bombing, your MINI will be great at back road(also coast road) bombing.

 

No passengers in the back other than my dog. Love the idea of the seat delete!

Good suggestion on checking out the Marketplace. There is a blue one that looks pretty rad and is not too far away from me. Sent a PM already.

 

I'm going from a 7'4 Nissan Xterra to a Mini! Keeping the Xterra of course, if you're like me I think you'll love it.

 

My Great Dane hops right into the back of my '09 Hardtop (not Clubman) with the seats folded down.

 

2nd Gen X? I used to own a 1st and had a small lift on it. I loved my X.

You have no idea how much at ease that puts me at. I have a French Mastiff, and while nowhere near the size of yours, is still not a small dog and had me a bit nervous of how he would fit in the back.

 

Anybody have a big dog in a countryman. I have a belgian malinois or shepherd wights 75 lbs. He's kinda tall

 

R53 FTW but i hope i never have to get rid of my truck, its too useful, i can pull my buddies car on a trailer to the drag strip, and while im there run a 13 flat quarter. but it stays parked 90% of the time. I DD the mini 50 miles a day and love it.

 

I took 3-4 German Shepherds plus a Lancashire Heeler in my '06 MCS every day. They just hopped in the back and jockeyed for position. In my new MCS, no dogs so far. We are buying a dog trailer, but our livelihood is dogs, so a trailer is a business expense.
Here is a pic of what was in my garage not too long ago-


Here's my garage now-


My husband got the Countryman S and I got a new MCS. We still have the Titan for now, but will only drive it if necessary due to gas prices.

Annette

 

It's so awesome to hear this! If you can fit four GS's, I definitely have nothing to worry about. You breed them?

 

No, but we train for K9 departments and Schutzhund competitors, so we always have a few in different stages of training. I take 3-4 with me every morning when I head to the kennel for the day. My husband brings the rest in the truck later. As of today we have 8 GSDs, 4 of which are ours, the other 4 undecided right now .

Annette

 

Can I send my dog to you? I think I own Marley Jr.!

 

My dog looks like Marley, but he's always been really mellow and he's only three years old!

Our black lab, we had before, was a terror until she was about three. We didn't do anything, she just simmered down for no apparent reason.

Dave

 

3 is the magic age generally. Females become the queen and males become a***oles LOL.
We saw the movie Marley and Me when it came out. My daughter was 11 at the time. At the end of the movie she said "Mom, that entire movie could have been avoided with a good crate." LOL, child of 2 dog trainers.

Annette

 

Mine is 16 months old and is an absolute handful. I wouldn't trade him for the world though! I'm hoping he calms down a bit when we finally go in and get him neutered.

 

My daughter and son-in-law got their German Shepard neutered and it made no difference, he is still a handful.

Dave

 

Spay/Neuter, best money maker for most vet practices. (I was a vet tech for 9yrs). I have 11 dogs here(8 GSDs, 2 Australian Cattle Dogs, 1 Lancashire Heeler) all are intact. TRAINING is the key.

Annette

 

Funny. I'm a MINI guy currently thinking of a Truck or SUV or at the very least, a sedan.

I knew I wanted the driving characteristics and supercharger of the R53 chassis, so I set out to find a well loved 2006, the best of the breed, in my opinion, for R53, since the factory had time to work out any kinks.

I have a mint condition 2006 DINAN Cooper S (considering selling - growing family - but also don't want to let go), only 32,XXX miles. I bought it for all the reasons you stated. Has rare options that I had to hunt for, such as Limited Slip Differential, Sport Chrono Pack, no sunroof, HK Sound System (Very nice, but obviously not a custom level system, but I like it, and it works nicely in the reasonably insulated interior). Here is one review of the system: http://www.motoringfile.com/2003/05/...stem_reviewed/

The seat backs don't fold completely flat, they remain raised over the rear bench seat when lowered down, but might work fine for your large dog.

 

Hey Annette, love the color of your new MCS!

 

+1, that is a gorgeous color!

 

+2, wish they offered it with the JCW package (aero kit)