I have been looking for a used mini in the sub 7K range, I had one I thought but it fell through.. Have done some research and results suggest 2005/6 are probably best years.. no Midland gearbox, end of marque refinements..etc..

This is in the NYC Metro area..


Do these seem reasonable price wise



2007 108K Manual Base Model asking 6,995

or



2005 107K Manual Base Model asking 6,888



Any thoughts.. price guide ??

 

I suggest going on craigslist or AutoTrader and buying from a private seller. Likely to be a grand or two cheaper. Also, have a mechanic check it if you can't do that yourself.
Also, i recommend buying one with 60-80k mileage so later on when you're trying to sell it, it wont be as hard.

Kbb for the 05 manual base model is 5500, so that's almost 1500 more..

Also, you should never buy from a small dealer as they will likely hide major problems in the car.

 

Well, just off hand only about 100 mile difference and and one is two years newer. Then again, the 05 is gen 1, 07 gen 2. Not sure how much difference that makes in a non-S mini. What options are on those mini's?

 

Craigslist prices are about the same on these years and mileages.. Its pretty hard to find a mini with 60 - 80 k on it for less than 7 grand..

"Also, you should never buy from a small dealer as they will likely hide major problems in the car." Isn't that rather a large generalization...


The minis are optioned the same.. the mileage is the same.. the year difference is more about build I would think...

Where is that 70K mini for 5500 ???

 

In the S version, there are a lot of differences between gen 1 and gen 2 (ie super charger vs turbo). I think the interior changed a lot as well. A lot of folks swear by the late model gen 1. Have you test driven any?

 

I have driven both, it's not an easy pick. I like the alleged reliability of the 05 06 non S.. especially as I can't afford a low mileage car. But I have also driven the 07 and the motor seems a bit more nippy. Like the more basic interior of the 1st gen.. though.. How reliable is the 07 anyone know anything...

 

My experience comes from owning an 04 Cooper S (supercharged) and later a second gen 09 Cooper S (turbo). In my research the base second gen cars were quite reliable. It was the 2007-2010 turbo Cooper S that was more problematic. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Both seem like good options. As much as I miss the more hardcore feeling of the gen 1 MCS, the gen 2 is so much more refined both in interior design and drivability. Every passenger I've had in the newer car has told me the same.

Not sure about NYC, but I ran a search on cars.com in Southern California near LA. You can get an 05 Cooper S for $7500-$8000 with mileage at close to 100k miles. My 04 Cooper S was mostly problem free at 140k miles. That 6 speed manual was a blast to drive.

 

Thanks for that... Reading the forums one gets the idea that the MCS is full of reliability problems.. but I guess it's more a result of the fact that people tend to use forums more for complaining. Theres not much of a story to read if everyone is posting. Love my car no problems here. It seems that the 2007 onward MCS have the timing chain issue. And the pre Mid 2004 base models have the Midlands gear box probe.. So I am looking for 05 / 06 base or Mcs or a 2007 up Base model..Hoping not to get one from a teenager learning how to use a clutch..

 

Feel like we've come across some relatively low $ range in, at least 1st gen MINIs when I was looking for a replacement about a year ago. Just throwing a quick search out there for example around me (and generally, it seems cars are LESS $ in your area, then around here):

http://westernmass.craigslist.org/cto/4408938797.html

Although its an 03S (loved my 03, very solid MINI), it has very low mileage (63k for $7k): http://westernmass.craigslist.org/cto/4408886107.html

 

I just came across these.. both show below KBB

http://newyork.craigslist.org/brx/cto/4447297817.html

http://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/cto/4439863863.html

 

Kind of related to this thread and out of curiosity:

I'm not originally from the States and unfortunately I was in the middle of getting my license in Europe when I moved to the States 16 yrs ago.
So I learned here on an automatic and I don't know anyone I would feel comfortable enough to ask if I could practice with their car to learn how to drive a manual which has been a pain every time I go back in Europe to see my folks.

I know the basic principal and have done it a few times long ago. We love our MINI yet it had to be an automatic for my wife.

So long story short, I've been kicking the idea of getting an old but very inexpensive manual to practice on the weekends and such. I would not likely do a lot of miles with it so mileage is not relevant to my search. That said I wouldn't want to have much repairs to do at all. I'd be looking at the least expensive yet in good condition MINI. Any thoughts on how to go about finding one? What would be the lowest cost I'd be looking at that would fit those criteria? What's a good year model?

I have this idea that any high mileage car are typically sold because they have too much problems to be worth the cost... am I wrong to think that?

 

Seems a bit of an expensive way to go.. I wouldn't burn out a Mini clutch .. for learning purposes find something much cheaper to replace..

 

Manual shift is no big deal, it becomes second nature in 500 miles. Just stay out of heavy traffic for a few weeks and you will get it figured out. Wear firm soled shoes, but not boots, and start off with no distractions like radio or passengers.

And if you can buy as low a mileage car as you can you will be better off - what you don't pay up front will come as repair costs later.

 

Coming from the UK it just seems so weird that people can actually get a driving license without knowing how to drive a maul car.... having said that as I get older and living in NYC I prefer an auto trans..

 

I had a used 2005 base cooper automatic.
Had the power steering issue and then transmission started showing signs of failure at about 80K miles. Both of these were known issues in pre 2206 cars form what my MA told me. I spoke to him after I purchased the car and he said he would only buy 2006 or newer used. Just be sure to get it checked out by mechanic and point out those to issues in case they aren't familiar with Mini's. Even with that though the Mini still miles above the VW I had and tins more fun too.

 

Thanks for the advice!

Yes you're right . . . though burning the clutch isn't much of a concern if the car is cheap to start with. I'm not planning on overly doing that anyway. it's not that I never touch a stick shift before. I'm just not confident to drive one occasionally so practice is what I'm looking for
But most important I'd like to have fun too and it would sit in front of my house so I'd rather not have a totally bit up car seating there all the time


That's pretty much what I was thinking except for the low mileage. I don't have the money available for a third car purchase. The catch of course is that it needs to run. With the little time I have, if it breaks down all the time that would defy the purpose so I know what I'm asking isn't the most straight forward way to go about it


Thanks for the input! I don't know enough of MINI US history to know this