So I'm about to go off to med school and I'm in need of a car. I have limited funds to distribute between a car, honeymoon, and helping ease the transition (nestegg). I was thinking about a used MINI, and came to two distinct obstacles.

1. There may be a 140 mile (round trip) commute for three years.
2. I need something to survive! Frequent breakdowns are not something
my bank account will survive, nor my hopeful medical career. It
needs to last at least 4 yrs and ~100k miles.

So to all of you...

Do you break down often? Are the repair prices mind boggling? What actual
mileage can you expect (highway) from a base cooper, and how much worse
is the S?

I want a fun driving experience, my fondest memories would be my friends
speed3, but I'm getting so strung out I've even considered a prius!

Help!

 

if I were in your CURRENT situation, I will buy a Toyota or Honda.
http://autos.yahoo.com/news/10-most-....html?page=all

http://editorial.autos.msn.com/14-mo...-on-the-road#1

http://www.gizmag.com/the-100-most-r...in-order/5657/

Then after med school, buy whatever will tickle your fancy.

 

What kromdom said.

Get something bulletproof like a Toyota or Honda for now, then look for your prized MINI after your residency & internship are over. Good luck - sounds like you have equally exciting and trying times ahead!

 

With your needs you probably should go for stability over driving fun.

While MINI's can be rock solid they can also be a problem. My car has been great for 7 years but I can also afford about any repair and have 5 cars at my house to use.

Med school will be enough without having worries about your car.
Defer your driving fun until you are finished with school.

 

Love my 08 non-S but ditto the above.

 

This. Well said.

 

Did you see that the last link there has the MINI as #16/100 as most reliable used car
of the past decade?


The Warranty Direct Top 100 Most Reliable Used Cars Of The Past Decade

1. Honda Accord
2. Subaru Forester
3. Mazda MX-5
4. Mitsubishi Carisma
5. Toyota Yaris
6. Honda Civic
7. Nissan Almera
8. Honda CR-V
9. Toyota RAV4
10. Nissan Micra
11. Lexus IS 200
12. Mazda 626
13. Jaguar X-Type
14. Toyota Landcruiser
15. Volvo S/V40
16. MINI (BMW)

 

Is that a European list? There are a few cars on that list that aren't in the states and for some reason it includes a Jag.

 

Yes, look at the whole list, lots of euro models on it.
http://www.gizmag.com/the-100-most-r...in-order/5657/

 

Thanks for the opinions. Perhaps I should relent and go practical. In that case does anyone have ideas, or better yet personal experience with yaris, prius, or civic? The idea of a hybrid does make the budget easier with the commute, and a few trips I have wanted to plan.

 

Med school and just got married and a commute, good luck. I think you would save funds by moving closer because you are going to be spending a lot of time at school especially 3rd and 4th year.

 

Indeed I will. The next few years will be an endurance challenge, but this is just how it has worked out.

 

I'd also probably agree with the other guys, I haven't had any problems with my MINI but it's not very old and doesn't have many miles.

If you're looking for a new car that's fun, has good gas mileage and should be pretty reliable, check out a new Ford Fusion Hybrid. That thing looks damn good, is still reasonably priced, and gets about the same gas mileage as the disgusting Prius. Plus you won't look like just one of the other schmucks driving around in that embarrassing and boring Toyota.

If that's a little out of your price range, even the new Focus looks pretty good to me and you can still get it with a manual transmission for that little extra fun and it costs a lot less than even the MINI while still getting the same gas mileage.

 

I bought a used Cooper S and while I love the little guy, he's been expensive with reapairs. In your situation I would say get a Honda or something a little more reliable and common where repairs might be cheaper. Personally I love the new Accord, the sport edition i pretty nice and fairly priced.

 

Thank you guys again. I greatly appreciate your time to try and help me out. I have looked at the fusion hybrid a bit, but the thing is my budget is fairly low, as I'm trying to do more with my current funds than just buying a car. Has anyone ever had experience with a Civic Hybrid? It seems to also offer sort of a camouflaged hybrid experience, plus I believe at one time they made it with a 5 speed!

 

Good advice on here. I'm in law school and on a student budget with an R53. Never had any issues. But it would work out quiet cheaper if I was running a toyota 1.6 or one of those new tiny KIA's. But hey, it depends on your life. I really wanted an R53 and spend a few bucks here and there modding it slowly. Its basically my project car, even if the mods are far between. I wouldn't mind a honda or toyota either, but with my MINI I feel like "yes, I got one" even If I do get another car I'm not selling my r53 as Its probably going to be a future classic and I want to keep it as a track toy in the future. With R53's you can never be sure though, you get good ones and some that can just ruin your life lol. Something like a honda is really a well balanced car. I hope you find a nice allrounder and then when your budget allows maybe a 13' JCW GP :D ? Where I'm from, VW is also fairly priced, and reliable. Not sure if you have the VW Polo or the Golf 5 diesel in North America, but those are also great cars imo. Goodluck friend, with med school too .

 

This will sound off,, but if you can turn some wrenches and swallow some pride a pristine Geo Metro is a nice way to go..I have an old beat up 91, i dont mind parking it anywhere, it runs great, for some reason my usual road rage is toned down.. these are cheap and easy to work on if necessary... my little car get 34mpg in town and 42 on the hwy @75mph. My best mileage recorded was 45+ on a trip to Waco once. It has a performance cam that makes it idle like a bad *** lawn mower... You can find people who make the engine and drive train like new for like $2500.. So i think you could make one of these ultra reliable with a total of no more than $6000 total. If you not automotively inclined then look another direction...

 

When I read this.. the first thought that popped into my mind was to buy a older civic and drive the crap out of that till you can no longer. Cause even when/if it breaks down the repair costs will be extremely small compared to what fixing a Mini would be. On the other hand though the Speed 3 is an extremely fun car to drive. And gets great MPG on the highway for what you get out of the car. When I had mine, it was getting around 23/24 city and close to 30 highway. I personally like the 1st gen Speed 3's better than the current ones. Just try and find one that hasnt been beaten to death by the previous owner. Id say stay from any 07 Speed 3's but by now most of the problems related with them have prolly been addressed. I had a 08 and never had a problem with it till around 70k miles when the turbo crapped out on me (known problems in the Speed 3 world). I'd even say the Speed has been the best car Ive owned so far. Even beats the Mini out...but Ive only had the Mini for about 5 months now compared to the 3 years I had the Speed. I could go on and on about the Speed 3.. but Ill just end it here

 

I have not had trouble with mine.
I recommend you get a honda or a toyota.
Or even a made in japan suzuki.
The worry factor on the mini is quite high.
I drive a 100 mile commute.

With what you have going on your first choice if possible should
be to decrease the commute. It will take a toll on you.