Is this a good buy?
 

Hey there guys, I hope this is in the appropriate place. So I owned a 2011 Base mini cooper 6 speed and I absolutely loved the car, hands down my favorite car of all time. I loved it so much I put 76k on it, when it was a 36k mile lease :eek: The car was pretty reliable but anything that had to be fixed if it hadn't been under warranty I could've done myself. I can literally do anything with a car if I put the time into it so work isn't going to scare me away (maybe some exorbinent cost will though)

So I am looking to get another cooper and I said this time around it had to be either and S or a JCW if I somehow found one I could afford.

Here she is
http://nh.craigslist.org/ctd/5652825081.html

So I've looked around the forums and have seen that the 2009's had some issues, on car complaints I only really found issues with the clutches going out in the first 10-20k which this one is obviously past that, so my question is do you guys think this one is a good buy for the price?

Its right in my price range and any other JCW around here for say a 2011 starts at 14-15k and those generally have 150k miles on them. This one being the dreaded 2009 year I believe has made it a lower price point (and I think it may have been at the lot for a bit) The dealer doesn't have the maintenance records because they bought it from my local mini dealership and they suggested asking mini if they have the maintenance records so that is on my list to do.

I normally would avoid this (these years) but this one has absolutely everything I want (including the damn cloth seats!!!) and for a price I can actually afford without the outrages mileage I normally see!

What do you guys think? Thanks...

Buying a MINI from a used car dealer opens up a can of worms. Wouldn't touch it unless a highly qualified mechanic did a PPI.

Also, Avoid the N14.

Thanks for the advice, I'll just pray that I can see a jcw for less than 15k and less than 150k on the clock of the later years, I know it should be in the first Gen forum but how about a pre 2007 one

I bought an '09 with 47k miles for under $15k. Deals exists.

People gripe about the N14 engine, but the majority of repair complaints for N14 R56 that I've read are actually not related to the engine. In my case, I was able to obtain service information for my car; in 47k miles it's had small service items, all done by the dealer, including the water pump.

From what I understand there's a potential issue with timing chain breaking and causing engine damage.

Although forums are a good way to gauge long-term reliability of a car, I also like True Delta, as it uses reports from owners for repairs.

NO it's NOT
N14 engine avoid you want a N18 motor.

Miles to high for asking price.

Ian

For that mileage and price, that is actually a steal around here from a dealership. They want outrage prices for turds simply because its a mini. No one sells em around here cause everyone holds onto them so long!

Scan the Internet and buy a MINI somewhere else foolish to get ripped off do to location especially in our present electronic age.

Ian

I paid $13.2k, so that's quite a bit below your $15k target.

Searching around online is your best bet. I like CarGurus.com because they tell you how long the car has been sitting on the lot, which gives you more bargaining power. Plus it's crucial to keep the right frame of mind, psychologically. Be prepared to walk away from the deal at any time, no matter how badly you want it. It's just a car, nothing more.

In spite of the N14 hatred around these parts, here's an '09 in Texas with 64k:

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/invent...633_isFeatured

Here's one in MA for $12.8k, but minus the challenge wheels:

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/invent...633_isFeatured

Here's an '11 for $16k, a bit over your budget:

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/invent...ting=133842310

Good luck. These are fun cars, but they are not without quirks. I think the seats suck and the plastic bits are about as junky as my late-80's Ferrari. The gauge design is one of the dumber things I've seen in my life. I hate the limited slip but I'd rather deal with that than fight the torque steer. They're quite fast and very nimble at speed.

Just bought a 2011 MCS Clubman with Winter packge, xenons, sunroof, Harmon Kardon with 15,400 miles for $13,750. The deals are there. Clubman seem to move very slowly, might consider one. Has some advantages, but a little more weight. Keep checking Craigslist.