Hello! MINI Newbie looking for advice. Will be buying a Justa for around town driving this Fall, with two options I am considering:

- Lower mileage R50, 2005 or 2006

- Higher mileage R56 (based on budget, 2007-2009, 110k-120k miles)...

Pros, Cons? Things to consider? Dollar for dollar, which represents a better value?

Thank you for your input... have owned 36 cars, mostly European so am OK with the "maintenance costs"... but interested in everyone's feedback.

Thanks!

 

The non-turbo/non-supercharged versions are both pretty reliable. So it really comes done to aesthetics. The R50 is smaller with great exterior lines while the R56 is slightly larger but nicer on the inside.

Whatever you do, do not get a CVT version!

 

Thank you for your input- yes definitely not a CVT (regardless of the make, they are just horrible pieces of machinery, IMHO)... You totally nailed it on my dilemma, great exterior lines and a "lesser interior" or the larger proportions and great interior...lol.

 

Drive 'em both! The R50 is supposed to be more nimble, while the R56 is supposed to be more comfortable.

Drive them, and figure out how much interior space you actually need.

 

I believe 2006 was the last year for the R50/R53 hatchbacks, whereas 2006/2007 was the first 2 years for the R56.

A 2006 R50 should be more reliable.

While the comments below are for the S models, they should hold true for Justas.

I alternate driving between a R53 and a R59, both manuals. It's the topless factor that makes me enjoy the R59 more. Compared to the R59 the R53 is smaller, has stiffer suspension, less assist in the steering, and shifts need to be more precise. Wife hates driving the R53 because "it's too hard to steer and shift."

I prefer the interior of the Gen1s over the Gen2 models. The Gen2 interior is less MINI and more BMW, Gen2s have less personality.

The R59 has more comfortable seats, by far, and has more power with better gas mileage.

Overall I think I would go for the low mileage, manual transmission R50 over a R56 Justa.

However, why not get the R53? For me the fun factor outweighs the drop in mileage, and if your concerned about reliability consider my 2006 R53 has 135k miles and is still the same as it was at 60k.