Does anyone have a line on a pretty good condition 05-06 Cooper S, manual trans with hopefully factory lsd. I’m on the Big Island and the pickings are slim here. Been looking through Craigslist and Facebook but haven’t had any luck yet.

 

Hard to say if and when you might find something workable. How many miles and what condition are you looking for. 2005 MCS are going to be fairly worn out and need replacement of full interior and headliner as well as all bushings and suspension rubber parts. Might be OK if total mileage if under 90,000 but that's hard to find.

In HIlo
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/invent...ting=249273604
automatic, 73K miles $6999

What's your budget?
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/invent...sModified=true
2006 MCS in Las Vegas 77K miles $6500 with manual trans

Any reason you are looking for a MINI and not an import commuter car for Big Island?

 

Thanks for the reply. I actually just picked up a 05 MCS 6 speed manual today, 73k and we’ll maintained. Picking this car was for quite a few reasons. I wanted a small fun car to drive that I could also use for as a demo car for my business. I have a car audio shop that also does vinyl wraps and pretty much any other automotive work. We wanted a car that we could build for the shop and also small enough to park in it lol. My other cars were becoming a pain to drive every day ( too big and too low)

 

OK, 73K is good but still check out all of the suspension for wear especially front control arm bushings (front wheel will be loose), CV boots and driveshafts, and engine mounts.

I have a 2003 MCS with replaced head unit, extra amps under the passenger seat and in the boot, JBL stealthbox subwoofer in the boot and upgraded speakers in front doors and rear panels. Extra sound deadening in the doors, under the rear seat and rear quarter panels. It's held up since 2004.

What wheels did you get? OEM 17" or 16" or aftermarket? Check out the tires and if noisy or firm riding you might want to move to Grand Touring All Season if you have 16" wheels. 17" tire sizes are more limited, 215/45-17 is OK if you have OEM suspension.

In Hilo there is SCCA autocross at the drag strip about 10 events per year, they just had one, it's free to watch and the MINI is good for that. Get some advertising for your business, just add some magnets with your company on the doors.
http://www.bigislandscca.org/solo-schedule/