Hey gang. I've been looking at used Mini's but am also considering new.

You know (yes, you know), the options drive the price of these little carts up pretty darn fast!

After playing with the configurator, I had some fun playing the opposite game... what if I only get the bare bones and only add what is critical for my wife to use as a commuter? Will it still be a cool little car?

Well, to my surprise, the answer is yes. Mini's are exceptionally well equipped from the factory bone stock. The biggest hurdle for me is giving up the S model... after that, it gets pretty easy.

I ended up feeling that the only must for us is better lighting since we live in the mountains and with that, the Mini came out to $19,500. Ooh... that sounds so much better than $20K! And definitely sounds better than the $27+K I was at on the configurator moments earlier.

Sooooooooooooo: Who has a STRIPPY COOPER?
And.......... Whatcha think about it?

Finally, can you wind these non-S models up and still have fun in the twisties?

Thanks!

ps: Post pics of your strippy!

 

I am a fan of the bare-bones Cooper!! The car is great w/ no options at all, and with only a few you can dial it in nicely to your needs. I don't have my R56 yet, but my R50 was/is nimble and quick because fewer options meant a lighter car...the 7-hole wheels didn't hurt in this regard either. I looked at the MINI as an alternative to a normal commuter car, so at around $19K (for my first Cooper) and under $21K (for my R56 Cooper) I have fits of laughter over the insane value and driving enjoyment (I'm tempted to say euphoria....oops, I did!) offered from these cars!!!! Adding options and increasing price robs a bit of that for me personally, but that's just how I get my kicks. A bare-bones MCS is also desirable, imo, if I wanted more power (which I don't).

 

I selectively picked what I wanted and nothing more in my Cooper. I figure, the fewer things I loaded up in Romi, the fewer things would be breaking down the road.

But I went in knowing I would be keeping Romi for 10 years, regardless of the mileage. Knowing that and applying it to each question in the configuration decision process is how Romi got to where she is today.

Romi ended up under $23K. There are things I had to have, as I am spolied rotten, but had I never had them I would not have ordered them. Comfort Acess, Automatic A/C, and auto-dimming rear view mirror were must-have options for me. Deal breakers as a matter of fact.

 

I'll have a mostly stripped down MC in about 3 weeks or so. I did end up putting Dynamic Stability Control, the multi-function steering wheel and a metallic paint on and it came out to $20,100. So not under $20k but still a really good value, all things considered.

Can't help you with photos or such but I can tell you that a test drive confirmed for me that I didn't need or particularly want the S and that stripped down MC had plenty of zip and, most important for me, great handling. While this forum tailors to more "hardcore" enthusiasts there have been a number of threads with folks enthusing about their MC's. Two off the top of my head:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=100838
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=99202

 

Ah, that's what your thread title meant!

I am a proud strippy owner.One way to look at it is $1000 in options barely changes your monthly payments. Another way to look at it is my transportation costs went from $65 (subway pass) to $(don't ask...payments, insurance, gas...) Power locks, windows, AC, what else do you really need?

My biggest splurge was sunroof. A must for me, I love how open it makes the car feel.
I didn't even get the multi function steering wheel. I hate cruise control, but this is the one thing that could effect resale value?
I even like my stock jellyfish wheels!
The only other option I think I got was chrome line interior. We really liked the look of it on the R53, but found out too late that the design changed and it makes less of a difference.

For the S, the best advice may be not to ever test drive one . Yea, they're a hoot, but so is the MC and you'll never know what you're missing since the MC is still so much fun. (plus better MPG, upkeep...)

Edit: oh you wanted pix, here
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...&highlight=mia

And were the lights really your only option? Am I still allowed in your club?

 

I optioned mine to 22,100, but frankly much of that was luxury I could have done without. (10 spkr hi-fi, sport seats, heated seats). Firm requirements were DSC, and MFSW, everything else above that was gravy. I wish DSC and MFSW were standard, they should in fact be, then I could have bought a bone stock and been completely happy.

 

OK, I didn't realize DSC was an option without the sport package. For wet weather safety, I added it and came up with this:

MC $20K on the button

MCS $23K on the button

(for an add'l $350, the Sport option would add 17" wheels, but I'm not sure they add that much to the performance <feedback?> and I prefer the wheel style of the 16's)

What's MFSW?
I sure wish I could test drive both models up here in the hills!

 

Multifunction steering wheel. That includes cruise control and audio controls.

 

Playing with the configurator is fun. Most of the options are lost on me, so I tend towards the stripper myself (haha). Auto AC? Sunroof? Rear view mirror gizmo? Naw. No packages, Sports suspension, Xenons, LSD, rear fog, driving lamps, anthracite, MFSW, hifi (maybe) are what I have right now. A couple things for fun, but not loaded. I need to drive the MC-might even go that way. (haven't decided new/used yet either)

 

d-dubya,

No, this isn't the first time we've seen eye-eye.

I also demanded (from myself) sport suspension and LSD previously... but that's an add'l $1K. I'm a very aggressive driver in the twisties (I'm a motorcyclist as well if that's any indication) and I just wish I knew how much difference those options would make.

Is the sport suspension option on an MC different from the sport suspension option on the MCS? I thought I read something here that for the MC it basically gives it the MCS suspension while for the MCS, it's much less of an upgrade... is this true? If so, it makes it a bargain option on the MC.

Also, LSD is not available on the MC so if I go that route, that decision is one I don't have to tweak my brain with.

 

Yeah-I noticed the LSD/MC. There are a few built-ins to the MCS that you don't get with the MC, and a few spec differences too. Sport seats, fog lights, and I thought disc brake diameters were different.

High-altitude would REALLY sway me towards the turbo. Even the supercharged motor falls off in HP as you get towards 10K feet. The turbo helps compensate quite a bit. If I still lived in Colorado, that would really factor in. (kinda like heated seats would be good for colder areas)

 

You've gotten some very good advice from NAM members. Let me add a little to it.
There are 2 things to consider:
1) What you can't live without.
2) What you should have to improve resale.
Both of the above will be influenced by how long you intend to keep the cooper.

 

Very sound advice from Anne. While #2 is pretty important if you intend to get rid of the MINI in a few years, say <5, I'd say #1 is far more important.

 

I had lusted after a MINI for years & had on countless times, played with the configurator. When I finally got the OK from my wife to buy in Mid-Feb (with a caution to keep the cost DOWN), I had the choice of ordering or taking an '06 leftover off the lot. I'm sure my decision to take the car off the lot was in part, influenced by the fact that I have the patience of an 8 year old. Nevertheless, looking at my choices as critically as possible, I realized that were I to order a car, the only serious option I would have ordered which I don't have on my base car was the multi-function steering wheel for the cruise control. Factor in the increased cost of the '07 & the small discount I rec'd on the '06 & I can say I'm quite happy with my base Cooper.
Jeff
"Dorothy" '06 MC BRG/W

 

I've got a Cooper and drive it in the New England mountains. Plenty of climbs, but the elevations are much lower than out west. Our roads range from between sea level and 3,000 feet or so, not the 10,000+ feet out west.

For hills, the Cooper works fine if you don't mind downshifting a bit. I'm not sure how much of an effect the high elevation has on things, though.

Back when I bought my 2003 Cooper, you could get all three option packages in a Cooper and still be just under $20,000 - that's what I did.

 

hp loss = elevation (in feet) x 0.03 x hp @ sea level / 1000

1000 feet, 3% power loss, 10,000 feet, 30% power loss. I can REALLY tell the difference whenever I go back home to Colorado, even at 5000 or 6000 feet. Go up in the hills and things get really anemic.

turbo mostly just spins faster, and keeps combustion chamber pressure up, so you lose much less power.

 

I actually live in the foothills, not the mountains. Sorry if I led youze to believe otherwise. We are around 2200' elevation and we find ourselves zipping around 1500-3500' elevation on a daily basis.

Sadly, those days are gone forever.

 

The new MC is also 6sp getrag like the MCS, but geared lower. Besides the different power delivery, that would make it feel different (I've got to drive one...)

 

Yes you can. The more you push it the more it goes!!! I love how it resonds after you have come off an exilerating run. It can really get wound up. I have an 06 5sp manual. And it Hugs the road in total control

 

eeeeeek how do you do it? i am a gadgety person and i have had bare bones cars before and this time i decided to splurge. i got it leased and i am paing total for the whole thing with converible and even paying for the extra fabulous paint 21000 leased for 4 years....i didn't want to buy cause i know i will want the newer model once it comes it(i have short attention span for cars, telephones, etc) and so i decided on a lease for the first time in my life. so it worked out...i def couldn't afford the 26500 that my car really costs.

 

A stripped car is a nice idea but I just couldn't do it. Vinyl seats are not acceptable and I want DSC. That would suggest the sport package at a minimum. My wife doesn't drive stick so an auto is not so much an option as a requirement. The regular Cooper with auto feels a bit sluggish so I would need the S. At least I would get Xenons thrown in with a Cooper S w sports package (not really needed where I live now but very useful out in the country).

The big expensive options though are the NAV unit and the bluetooth and Ipod adapters. I have NAV in my current car (a BMW system similar to the ones in the 1st gen Cooper) and I can't see buying a car without it. The Ipod and bluetooth integration would just make life so much easier though I think they are really overpriced. BT really should be included as standard since it is really a safetly feature.

Areas were I would economise would be opting for cloth seats, non-metallic paint and skipping all that other bling.

 

Bare bone's S has alot going for, it you wouldnt feel you were missing anything.IMO.

 

looking for a 2nd commuter/eco car, i configed a stripped MC. only thing i added was sport suspension..

its closest competitor was a Honda FIT. I drove the FIT (manual sport model) and was pretty impressed.

the base MC out the door was around 21k. the base FIT out-the-door around 18+k..

so far though i have not made a decision.

Since what I am looking for is a 2nd eco/around town car.. if either of these cars came in diesel, the first one to do so would have my money.. and that's sorta where i'm at now, waiting to see what comes around the bend in the next 12 months that addresses my milage issues....

 

[quote=dog rocket;1535578]I also demanded (from myself) sport suspension and LSD previously... but that's an add'l $1K. I'm a very aggressive driver in the twisties (I'm a motorcyclist as well if that's any indication) and I just wish I knew how much difference those options would make.



I would recommend the "S". My husband is a motorcyclist also, we started with a MC, it was great, got good gas mileage, then when it was in the shop, the dealer gave us a "S" as a loaner, that was all she wrote , we traded the next week for a "S" and love it

 

I ended up going bare bones MCS for the usual reason - my wife

We drive our cars into the ground, so resale is not a consideration.

I added LSD and DSC for safety, center arm rest and floor mats for convenience, and wood trim and map light for bling.

Nice, fast car for $24.3. Not bad.