Hi guys and girls,
New to the forum and first time posting. I have been doing some research on mini coopers and I have decided to get one. I need a car that gets good mpg because I have a long drive to work. So I am probly going to go with a base model as opposed to the S.
I am fairly new to "compact" cars. My last 2 cars have been Jeeps. But I test drove both the base and the S and they seemed pretty zippy, but less than what I am used to. This might be an insulting question to all you mini owners, but are they alot more zippy than other compacts? Such as honda, toyota, etc. I am asking honestly, because I really dont know.
I always said that if I had to get a smaller car, it would have to be Mini because they are just so cool looking.
Anyways, I found one and I could really use your help in deciding if it is a good deal.
It is a 2004 base model. British racing green, dual sunroof (maybe premium package?), tinted windows, automatic, leather seats. Thats all I can think of right now as far as options.
It has 48,000 miles and is cosmetically in very nice shape. (some small chips in paint, no dings or dents)
They are asking 12,500 obo.
What do you think?

Also, when opening the sunroof, is it normal to make a whirring sound? It just sounds like the motor working but its louder than I expected. And do the front tips of the windows stick out of the door slightly when down?

Thanks for any and all help and opinions you can muster. I really appreciate it.

 

not a bad price. i have a 03 with navi and all packages for 13K, 40K miles You might find better deal and they have alot of zip I had a o6 civic, which floated on the road, this handles soo much better...as for the sunroof , mine does not make a whirling sound....

 

if you want more zip get the S version! Its got tons of zip! The standard cooper is not so zippy, actually the 2007-2008s are better off the line with the new engines and the standard sports button they all come with. I used to have a 2005 cooper and to get power you need to keep it reved in the 4000 RPM range. Then it has plenty of zip. The older engines love and beg to be reved high! That's how they should be driven for best performance!

 

I have an 04 MC automatic. Its pretty peppy as long as the AC isnt on. If you live in a region where the AC will be on most of the time (like FL), then go with a MCS....the MPG shouldnt be too much of an issue....really. I currently get 25 mpg with mostly city driving and the AC blasting.
The whirring sound of the sunroof, I cant help you with since noise level is a matter of opinion. However, with that said I can say that mine doesn't make too much noise from the motor but mostly from the sunroof sliding over the guide rails.
Im not sure what you are referring to when you say that the front tips of the window stick out. However, I can say that the front windows go down slightly whenever the doors open and then go back up to its full up position when the doors close. This automatic feature is to ensure a good seal between window and frame.
If its a 04 with 48k, is the warranty still in effect? If so, you can go get that sunroof sound checked out by the dealer.
Good luck.

 

I'm probably going to hear about it saying this, but here goes anyway.

My advice is not to buy a Cooper with the CVT automatic. They are troublesome transmissions & costly to replace. If you want an automatic buy a Cooper S that uses a conventional torque converter automatic. In fact MINI stopped using the CVT automatic beginning in 2007. That fact says a lot to me about the CVT.

 

I also have read the same horror stories on line of the 8K people have paid at 54K miles for me a new manual is best...for you keep looking???

 

i agree with the no CVT comment. not for that year. mini has since seemed to correct the problem of them going bad for no reason. the manual one is muh more reliable (provided its a 6 speed not a 5 like i have ) And last but not least, yes the window corners do stick out on that car when all the way down. ( jst a little mind you )

 

thanks for the replies. I think the only thing holding me back right now is the CVT auto. I relly would rather have a manual. but this seems like a pretty good deal to me considering all I see is higher milage minis with higher prices.

 

I'd recommend an extended warranty that covers the CVT.

 

you have been warned, we can't force you to listen. Stay away from the used CVTs!!

 

I would start by looking through this:
http://www.motoringfile.com/mini-r50r53-buyers-guide/

. . . and I too would avoid the CVT

 

Wow, very informative article. Thanks for that. Well it looks like im going to pass on any used mini with the CVT. Thats good anyways, because I really wanted the 6-speed. Any problems with those? Clutch, slave cylinder, etc.? I just replaced an internal slave cylinder for a buddy on a 98 cavalier. It was a major PITA, had to rip apart half of the front suspension and take off the driveaxle in order to get to it. Are they internal on minis?Thanks for the help and any other opinions would be helpful.

 

AVOID THE AUTO TRANS!!
plus manually shifting this little car is SO MUCH FUN!!!
remember, you "experience" a mini, not drive one. you will "experience" much more with the man trans!

As a fellow jeep owner, wrangler, and cherokee. I will tell you this. like a jeep, mini is a breed all by itself and there is a "family" feeling like the jeep.

Good luck!! and also an early welcome to the club!

 

The slave cylinder is external on a MINI. As far as I can tell the clutch is not a problem area on MINI's. Although like all things mechanical they can & do break on occasion.

Yes welcome to the club. Get a MINI & smile.

 

First, congrats on becoming a MINI family member. The front corner of the window does stick up a little when you roll the window down, that's normal. As far as your "whirring sound" with the sun roof, mine doesn't do that. Are the tracks greased? You need to reapply grease (lightly) annually to the tracks or the sunroof will drag causing the motor to work a bit harder to open/close it; maybe this is what is happening.