Hey guys...

I have touched base on this before, but I want to ask it as directly as I can so I can get some feedback.

My girlfriend has all the sudden taken a huge interest in MINIs. She really didn't have much to say about them at first. I know she liked them, but a few years later, she is crazy about them! (Maybe it's because I constantly talk about mine. )

Anyways, I went to go to the dealership near me just to see if they had anything nice in stock. She saw this 2006 HB/W MINI Cooper S 6-sp manual, pretty much fully loaded minus nav, and she instantly fell in love. It was priced at almost $20k, with 45,000 miles, so I told her it was a bit high of a price, and if it goes down a little, we could seriously consider it.

About 3 weeks later, we check back, and the dealer has it priced at $18k ($17k online). So I tell her, let's go in and talk to someone about it, look at the car fax, test drive it, etc. We do all this, and she loves it.

She has a 2010 VW Golf with 7,000 miles on it, which she bought new. They have given her an estimate of $16,000 for a trade in, and I think if we do some sweet talking, we can get the price even and walk out the door with the MINI she likes.

What I need to know, or get opinions on-- Would this be a stupid decision?

The good things about the MINI- she loves it, I love it, much more fun to drive, much better gas mileage (she gets 20-22 MPG Average consistently, and she's pretty easy on the gas).

Bad- A lot more miles, 3 owner car, 5 years old, no factory warranty, and... well, it's used. Who knows what could be wrong with it? Looking at the car fax- it shows the previous owner of the car only had it for 3 months???

How reliable are you all finding your first gens? I'd hate to get this car and have it be totally unreliable.

Let me know your opinions guys and gals..... thanks!

 

My wife and I have a pair of 2006 'S' convertibles with about 145k mile between them since we bought them new.

They've both had the "typical" issues for the year (leaking motor mount, leaking thermostat, stuck power steering pump fan), but nothing major on either car, and we love them so much! I'd suggest giving the potential MINI a thorough inspection, and if that looks good, then go for it!

 

Such a trade would be a definite increase in reliability risk. But you already know that. Can you live with the worst case scenario? If not, then I'd advise patience until you can reasonably trade up to a MINI.

And to directly answer your question, then yes, in my book trading a one-year old VW with 7k miles is financially stupid no matter what you are trading it on.

 

Have it checked out by an independent mechanic familiar with MINI's, and if it passes muster, consider purchasing an extended warranty program as insurance against very costly repairs. I have two first generation MINI's, and I budget a couple of grand a year for maintenance/repairs.