hey guys.

my name's kat and i'm a college student with a honda civic that's about to blow up (160,000 miles, eesh!). i'm tryin to convince the 'rents that a new car is the way to go, and i really want a mini cooper. i'm sorta strapped for cash but i built a mini at the website for around 19,000 US. so here's my question:

is a mini really a good car for a college student? i go back and forth from school to home every other weekend (about an hr drive) and other than that just drive around town. i'd really like a mini but is it a good car for me? i need something that isn't huge (SUVS, ugh) but more sporty, but is versatile/functional while still looking good

also, if this is the case, what arguments should i use to convince the parents of this? good points/safety features that would sound impressive/etc?

any and all advice appreciated, and thanks!

kat

 

You can tell your parents that it has 6 airbags (2 front, 2 side, and 2 side curtain) and has a very good record for safety. The passengers are very well protected inside a solid steel cage, and the MINI's top-notch handling can help a driver avoid an accident.

Also, for a college student, it is easy to park, gets good mileage, and with the rear seats folded down, it should be able to carry a dorm room full of stuff back home when school is out.

Plus it is super cute too!

 

Some quick facts:

1) The MINI is built in Oxford England by BMW. You are getting a BMW product for less than $20K.

2) It seems to me that either the standard Cooper 5 speed or CVT models will be the best bet for your current situation. Do you drive stick shift or prefer automatic? Due to the durability issues of the Cooper 5-speed gearbox I highly recommend the CVT transmission. The CVT is not your regular automatic transmission because unlike a regular slushbox it doesn't have any gears so you get constant acceleration without the feel of shifting often experienced on cars with regular automatics. Although you don't have a clutch pedal, the CVT allows you to drive in full automatic mode, sport mode or Steptronic which means that the tranny will allow you to shift 6 forward gears but without a clutch pedal. very fun car.

3) The regular Cooper is very frugal in the the fuel consumption dept. Remember that the MINI requires 91-93 Octane PREMIUM fuel, but since the consumption is low, the added cost of high octane fuel is pretty much offset.

4) The MINI comes with a 4 year/50K mile bumper to bumper warranty and 3 years/36K miles free scheduled service. For the first 4 years you get 24 free roadside assistance, so no need to pay AAA a yearly subscription.

5) Check insurance rates before you fall in love with the car. The Cooper typically pays a bit less than the Cooper S (High performance model) but it all depends on age, place of residence, driving record and credit history.

6) What configuration and colors do you have in mind?

7) The MINI has EXCELLENT resale value. Tell your folks that after 5 years of use, they will get 50% back of what they originally paid for it. Try that with a Honda or Toyota.


Welcome to the club!

_________________
'02 Cooper CVT (Absolute Keeper!)
'04 Cooper S Delivered: 10/3/2003 It's finally home!!!!!!!!!!

 

Also, do you have a safe place to park it while in college?

 

Aloha and welcome to NAM kat,

>>my name's kat and i'm a college student with a honda civic that's about to blow up (160,000 miles, eesh!). i'm tryin to convince the 'rents that a new car is the way to go, and i really want a mini cooper. i'm sorta strapped for cash but i built a mini at the website for around 19,000 US. so here's my question:

If cash is low you can get a base cooper that will do everything you want from about $18,000. What options did you choose. Remember metallic paint for $400 more isn't going to make you go any faster.

>>is a mini really a good car for a college student? i go back and forth from school to home every other weekend (about an hr drive) and other than that just drive around town. i'd really like a mini but is it a good car for me? i need something that isn't huge (SUVS, ugh) but more sporty, but is versatile/functional while still looking good

Yes, it is a good commuting car and a good student car, esp the MC (cooper). It will do everything you want it to.
But there is often a long wait for coopers since they are in high demand. Did you test drive yet or talk to a dealer? What part of the country do you live in? West coast wait times are very very long.

>>also, if this is the case, what arguments should i use to convince the parents of this? good points/safety features that would sound impressive/etc?

Best points for a MINI Cooper?
Very Safe car- Well engineered, extremely maneuverable, 6 air bags and excellent crash test results.
Good gas mileage-were you thinking of the 5 speed or CVT. The CVT adds $1250 more to the cost but might be worth it if you drive only automatic. Or you could save money and learn to drive stick.
Extremely good handling- one of the best in a car of less than $20,000.
Reliable- most of us have no problems but a few of us had trouble with stalling. MINI is working on a fix for this.
Unique and very fun to drive- people will notice you and you will become a very popular person in your neighborhood
Hatchback design- very versatile and flexible with rear folding seats, sits 2 to 4 well. has a rear boot or trunk that has a top shelf to hide contents for safety.
Friendly family of MINI owners- local and across the nation groups of MINI owners that are glad to help you with your MINI.


_________________
ALOHA

 

hehe thanks :smile: i've already pretty much fallen in love with the car. i prefer stick shifts personally so that's not a problem. the car i think i'd probably end up getting is the silver with a black roof and the black stripes. i think it's just beautiful :smile: so i guess when i talk to the 'rents tomorrow i'll pitch them the deal. i think mom has planned to take me test driving on saturday, so hopefully that goes well! thanks for all your help.

 

i live in VA so the closest dealer is richmond. i have a safe place to park it, i live in an apt complex with very ample parking so i could park all off to myself if i wanted, with no other cars around me.

i really want one now! :smile:

 

Crown MINI in Richmond is a very nice dealership. I visited them a couple of weeks ago when we were vacationing in Williamsburg and adjacent areas.

I live in Miami, FL.

Your color combo sounds very sweet. What else are you planning to get? One thing you should order almost as a requirement, is the Multifunction steering wheel, which includes remote controls for the stereo (behind the spokes), cruise control and leather wrapped steering wheel. This is a standalone option for $350, but well worth it every penny.

Once you get your new MINI take it for a spin in the Blue Ridge Parkway. We did it in our '02 CVT and had a blast taking all those curvy mountains roads. You guys have some awesome roads and gorgeous scenery upthere.

 

>>Due to the durability issues of the Cooper 5-speed gearbox I highly recommend the CVT transmission.<<

Huh? I've been reading this forum for a year and a half (and driving a Cooper for a year), and haven't heard a single mention of "durability issues" with the 5-speed. What are you talking about?

 

yeah, the only other thing i was planning to get was fog/driving lamps. i don't wanna get too many extras because of the budget consideration.

yeah, i'm at UVA so some of the scenery in Charlottesville is amazing. i just hope everything goes to plan and i end up getting one!

i think the crown dealership at this point only has the Cooper S, so that's probably what i'll be test driving - any huge differences between that model and just the plain Cooper models i should be looking for?

 

You may want to mention that run flats are an option on the MC. They could come in handy if you happen to get a flat on your way home one weekend. Your parents will like knowing that you will not need to be on the side of the road fixing a flat. You can drive them up to 80 miles at 50mph without air pressure.

 

A Base Cooper S is $3,000 more expensive than a base Cooper 5-speed. The Cooper S has a Supercharged 1.6L engine churning out 163HP vs 115HP for the base Cooper. Obviously the Cooper S has more power, better sport plus suspension and standard 16" runflat tires among many other extras.

I have 2 MINIs (A Cooper CVT and a Cooper S) and to be honest the regular Cooper is plenty fun to drive in plain form. I love the MCS because of the added power but it is a big expense for a college student. As a matter of fact, do not test drive the Cooper S because you may like it too much

Our Cooper is a base model with just 2 options: CVT and the Cruise control/stereo controls in the steering wheel. The Cooper comes pretty well equipped in stock form so anything you add above that is purely discretionary.


We had no problems negotiating the mountain roads or Interstates in our 115hp Cooper CVT.

 

Hi,

I lived in Lynchburg, Virginia, for about 5 years. It was a beautiful place.
I paid $19,040 for my Chile Red/white top MC. It's got the Premium Pack which gives you a sunroof, the MFSW, auto air and an on-board computer for monitoring gas mileage and a few other things. I also got fog lights, (OK, it was to get another toggle), and a spoiler. When I added the 16'' runflats it brought the total to just over $19,000. Got 1500 miles on it and like it better every day.

Good luck and have fun. :smile:

 

>>>>Due to the durability issues of the Cooper 5-speed gearbox I highly recommend the CVT transmission.<<
>>
>>Huh? I've been reading this forum for a year and a half (and driving a Cooper for a year), and haven't heard a single mention of "durability issues" with the 5-speed. What are you talking about?


Many posters here in MCO as well as MINI2.com have experienced failed 5-speed transmissions in their Coopers. Do a search and you'll find quite a few owners with replacement gearboxes in their cars.

The Midland's 5-speed transmission is the weakest link in the base Cooper. This is one of the reasons why MINI will be switching to a Getrag supplied 5-speed tranny for the base Cooper next year.

 

the only options i know i want are a sunroof and a rear spoiler. anything other than that is really just extras that'd be nice, but that i can do without. that shouldn't be too expensive, i guess. plus you gotta figure in haggling and the fact that i have a car i can probably get 3,000 trade-in for.

so should i not get a manual? i really love driving sticks.

 

I am not fully aware of Crown MINI's sales policy but keep in mind that you can not haggle the price down on a new MINI Cooper. Most dealers you have to pay MSRP or sticker price and documentation fee. Surely you may try and see if you can make an offer but due to the scarcity and low production and high demand of the MINI, you must prepare yourself to pay full sticker for it.

Also a warning....you won't get $3K for a Honda Civic with 160,000 on the clock,. This is not the type of car a BMW/MINI dealer is interested it, seriously. Depending on the condition, you'll be lucky to get $1K for it on a trade. But then again this is all part of the negotiation. If I were you I would consider putting up the car for sale in the local paper. You'll do much better, trust me.

The rear spoiler is a $100 option and the Moonroof is a $800 option. You should sprung the extra $350 for the cruise control. stereo remote controls. The MINI's stereo sits very low in the center console and the buttons are very small and hard to use without taking your eyes off the road when changing the volume, stations or CD tracks. Consider the MFSW as an added safety feature.


My suggestion would be to drive both the 5-speed and CVT Cooper models to see which one you like better. The CVT adds $1,300 to the base price.
_________________
'02 Cooper CVT (Absolute Keeper!)
'04 Cooper S Delivered: 10/3/2003 It's finally home!!!!!!!!!!

 

>>i think the crown dealership at this point only has the Cooper S, so that's probably what i'll be test driving - any huge differences between that model and just the plain Cooper models i should be looking for?<<

Kat, the general consensus seems to be that the Cooper's gearbox is a bit lighter-feeling and nimble, whereas the S's Getrag is more solid-feeling and requires a bit more work (the people who don't like it call it "clunky&quot. The other significant difference (besides the acceleration, which you probably won't notice on a test drive) is the suspension. The S's suspension is more rigid than the Cooper's (unless you order the "Sport Suspension Plus" - I've always hated that name), so it'll seem like a more jarring ride than the Cooper would give you.

One more thing to notice if you drive an S - sport seats are standard, whereas they're an option on the Cooper. My advice is not to think of them as an option - the standard seats are much less supportive.

Enjoy! You're hooked already...

 

You should be fine with the 5 speed, I agree that you should definitely have the multi-function steering wheel. It truly is a safety feature, as mentioned, the controls on the stereo are too small and difficult to use while driving.

If you have trouble with your parents, you might want to forgo the metallic paint and sport stripes. You can always add aftermarket stripes, you'll have more options and it'll probably be less expensive.

Good luck!

 

wow, thanks guys. you don't even know how much this helps me. i think i'm gonna go to the site and rebuild one and take off all the floofy, extra stuff. is it more expensive to custom order a mini as opposed to buying one off the lot?

i'm so excited! i can't thank you all enough for all the valuable information (i knew next to nothing about all this).

 

^^^ It's no more expensive than buying off the lot--and actually, if you're particular about your options, you'll likely HAVE to order one.


A very wise man once said: "As a matter of fact, do not test drive the Cooper S because you may like it too much."

I second this wholeheartedly! I was totally sold on an MC 5 speed and, actually, vehemently opposed to an MCS because of the decreased fuel economy... then we test drove one. I didn't even drive it--my boyfriend did--but, lo and behold, when the ship dropped off my lovely car, it had a hood scoop, 6 gears and 47 extra horses. I had a perfectly good time driving the MC, though, and to this day I'm not entirely certain of what transpired after the MCS test drive...

Oh, and your new mantra should be: "6 airbags, great fuel economy and a 4 star safety rating." I'd also find some pics (there around here somewhere) of Coopers that have been through accidents. The vast majority have maintained their cabin shape quite impressively and should be used as visual aids in the Battle to Convince.

Also (didn't mean to be this long-winded), I got my car during my last semester of college. I lived 4.5 hours from home and made frequent 8+ hour trips to visit friends, plus a 6 week jaunt cross country. With the back seats down it's actually a very functional vehicle. And so much fun to drive that you won't mind making a few extra trips if you happen to have *alot* of stuff (as I do).

Good luck!

 

yeah, i saw an article online earlier that said "mini gives life for woman in accident". the cabin was virtually untouched (a tree fell on the car!) and the woman emerged with only a broken nail. quite impressive.

i rebuilt a mini. black one, sunroof/spoiler/MFSW/white stripes, white roof/mirrors. looks damn good for 18500.

my argument's lookin pretty good at this point :smile:

 

Black with a white roof is hot! And not very common. Yours will be very unique. Let us know what happens....

 

thanks! i figured i'd get black (nonmetallic, $$ you know) w/ white roof which would look awesome w/ white stripes. may the plan work! :smile:

 

Don't forget to tell your parents about the 3 year free maintanence. That should be your strongest selling point. Basically you wont have to pay for any maintanence or oil changes for 3 years or 36,000 miles. They also will replace pretty much everything on your car besides the tires, that includes brake pads, windshield wiper blades, etc... So hopefully you won't have to spend a dime on your car besides gas for 3 years. Oh yeah, but wait until the mod bug bites you. Once that happens, you can throw out that theory. But at least its money well spent!

 

Have you tried to reverse those colors and go Pepper white/black on pw /R ?

It's now Tuesday and we still don't know what your parents said?

I say have your mom or dad log on to NAM and let them look around to see what kind of people are driving minis...what the issues are...what people think. The only problem (if you can call it that) is that your mom will want one for herself. So she'll give you the Volvo and keep the Mini...

I hope you do end up getting one and that you special order it and follow it's progress etc... this was m first such experience and it was so worth it.
Oh and don't take them to the Performance mods section

MINI L - Where the "L" Stands for LOVE