I am looking for a daily driver that I can purchase for about $7500 or less. I’d also like to stay under 100k on the clock if possible.

I would greatly value any input and advice from this community on what to look for and what to avoid.

My only stipulations are that it has to be a manual transmission with a clear title. I would probably prefer a Justa, so I don’t have SC issues to be concerned about and to keep the cost down.

Are there any years I should definitely avoid? Any years I should seek out? Can I even get a decent MINI for that price?

I’m sure there are old threads like this. If you know of any, just point me to them.

Best regards and Happy Motoring!

 

NON S cars had fewer problems. They got better with every year. IMO 2004-2006 are the best ones to look for. Some will say only 2005-2006. But in your price range it might be difficult to get anything under 100k miles.

 

Thank you. I think I may have found one, I just need to go look at it (and convince my DW that she needs a MINI instead of her Honda!)

 

Given the price range, you will be looking at gen-1 (pre-2007 R53) Justa Mini right near 100K miles.

I had a friend who just sold a R53 MCS for 8K with ~100K miles on the clock, but it had prior accident damage/repair.

Make sure you get full and exhaustive maintenance history of the car. How it has been maintained, and how scrupulously the records were kept will tell you 80% of what you need to know. The other 20% will come from the pre-purchase inspection that will cost you ~2 hours of labor at a competent independent shop.

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Get a R53

 

I am going to be honest here and say don't get a MINI. In a DD you want something super reliable and super cheap to work on. The MINI is moderately reliable and expensive to work on. Also having to run 89 and above octane is not fun either. Get a Honda, Nissan, or what I did as DD a Subaru.

 

Thank you. I have a Subaru for my DD now and my DW has a Honda. We both drive quite a bit and are, frankly, bored to tears with our current cars. I do appreciate your input.

The somewhat increased fuel and maintenance costs are worth driving something you love to drive IMO. I do my own wrenching so that keeps maintenance costs down.

We'll keep three cars between us, I won't be ditching my Suby, I just won't be driving her as often!

 

I bought my justa coupe a year ago to be my dd, 23,000 miles a year. So far I'm loving every bit of it, there are days I wish I got the turbo but the turbo wouldn't be good for how much I drive. Right now I have 20 k on the clock and it better be ready for a lot more!

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you should have no problem finding a MINI that fits your description. I bought a 2005 Justa a year ago for just over $8K and it had 72K miles on the odometer. Manual transmission, well maintained, needed some TLC aesthetically which I enjoy providing and now I have a gorgeous DD that should provide years of relatively low maintenance driving. That same MINI now a year later would be worth right around the price you are looking for.

Took me three weeks to find it. Appears you have one candidate already. There are more out there in case that one doesn't work out.

 

Sounds like you need to buy a MINI as a fun car and keep driving your Subbie as a DD. That is what I am currently doing. Some MINIs to well with DD tasks and some just fall apart. It is really a hit or miss deal.