Would you recommend a mini as a first car?
Buying a mini that's out of warranty?

I'm in the market for my very first car. I've been lurking here and realize how much I love Minis, from the looks and from the drive. I've rented them a few times off ZipCar. I'm looking at 2006 Cooper and Cooper S. I know they're costly to repair especially if they're out of warranty.

 

Yes and Yes. But first car? Do you mean like you just got your liscense and are 16? Then no. If it is your first purchase by yourself then? Then yes.

 

From the nature of your question, I'm assuming you are young (under 21 or so), if that is not the case, I apologize.

Sure, as long as you have the cash and attention span to care for it. European cars tend to be very unforgiving of neglected maintenance, and things tend to pile up when you don't stay on top of it. If that might be the case then you are better off in a Honda, Toyota, etc.

In terms of driving I've thought many times that a non S Cooper would be a perfect first car for my son. It's entertaining to drive with more handling than power, so it would be a good way to learn the fundamentals with less risk. Plus, its understeer central when too much power is fed in at an inappropriate time. It has good safety stats, and being this size limits the amount of stuff he could cram in it and the number of stupid friends that could help him get in trouble.

 

I'm 21, had my license for a while now. I've been sharing the minivan with my father. Yeah this will be the first purchase by myself. I have the cash but is it worth buying a newer R56 with warranty?

 

I'd say it's worth spending the extra cash for a warranty but others will say different. My first MINI (a base Cooper) was basically my first real car. I had a '98 Malibu for about 6 months prior to that. I bought my MINI when I was 18 and I had a blast with it until I randomly drove by my JCW on the lot. If you've been driving for a while then I would say it's a great car to have.

 

I'd say go for it if its what you really want. Why bother settling for a car that you don't enjoy. However just make sure that you've budgeted a bit extra when you need to repair something on a car out of warranty. If it is already tight with just the car then maybe you should look for other options on a MINI instead. If you can swing it a MINI still in warranty is a nice to have, makes you worry less but a warranty still ends so getting someone to look at it is important regardless. Buy it if you can, get it out of warranty if you like the car but only if you've got extra afterwards in case of a rain day. With warranty, plan accordingly for a rainy day when the warranty expires or things that are not covered come up.

As far as the MINI being too much car for an inexperienced driver, meh. No reason a younger driver should shy away from a MINI, sure the hp/weight ratio is higher than many but it certainly isn't through the roof. Any car can put you dangerous situations, its less the car and more the driver no matter what including the young drivers.

So to answer your question would I? Yes. I purchased an older (though seems like you mean R53 older) 2007 MCS that is now out of warranty (when I purchased it) however it was low mileage. I'm not overly worried about things to repair but certainly its a possibility.

 

I agree with Cereal. If you're spending all the money you have on a used MINI that's out of warranty, I would think long and hard about it. The pricing of these cars, both new and used, are "Toyota-like", but the parts prices and labor charges are pure BMW league. Another factor would be how well you know your way around an engine compartment and underside of a car. If you can do most of the work that will inevitably need to be done, that would work in favor of getting the MINI. I think the question you should ask yourself is, where would you be financially if you bought a MINI and had a $1,500 to $2,000 repair bill six months later? If your answer is "ok", go for the MINI. If your answer is "in the crapper" look at Toyota's or Honda's. This is the advice I would give my own son if he asked.

 

My heart is set on a mini, guess I'll pick up extra shifts at work. I might just get a newer mini R56 under warranty. So i wouldn't have to worry as much. Thanks for all the responses!