Hello All,

I currently drive a 99 Nissan Maxima that I love, but looking to upgrade (downsize) to something that gets a little better gas mileage, as well as something that is a little smaller, I drive 85% in the city and size would help with parking. As much as I want something that gets good gas mileage, I still want something pretty sporty. My Maxima has a few modest mods and handles and accelerates great.

I have narrowed down my choices to a Honda Civic Si and MiniCooper S. I have priced both of these out, and as much as I am leaning towards the MINI, the civic beats it by far on the dollar comparison. I priced out the Mini that I want on the website, and it comes to between $26k-$28k depending on packages. I love the look of the mini, and it seems to get slightly better mileage than the civic, but I have also been reading on this forum about some reliability issues which worry me.

I was thinking that one way to cut the cost was to buy an 09 or 10 Mini used, but would love to hear your thoughts. The features I would be looking for in a used vehicle:

-turbo not supercharger
-less than 30k miles
-bone stock
-one owner
-6 speed
-cloth seats
-dark color preferred (not a dealbreaker)
-no bonnet stripes preffered (not a dealbreaker)
-sunroof preffered (not a dealbreaker)
-zenon lights (not a dealbreaker)

I have been looking on craigslist and eBay for a while now, but I would love to get you guys' perspective on what a fair price to pay for a mini with these features would be. Also if there is anything specific that would be good to look for in a used mini.

I don't plan on doing many modifications, but I'm sure I will at some point.

Thanks for any help,
Dan

 

They have great resale value. Buy you could find a good deal for what you are looking for jutst keep looking and I would suggest that you get one with warranty!

I was looking into a Civic Si myself. I mean, you cant go wrong with a Honda but after test driving a Mini I opted for it. So much fun to drive!

 

Xenon lights are a deal breaker and I would look at the output at night on the halogen then the factory HIDs, big difference.

 

Check dealerships for "Executive Car"s. got my 2010 Clubman with lots of great options, heated seats, xenons, sport seats, comfort access, auto headlights, auto wipers, front and rear fog lights, and more. She only had 3500 miles on her and I got the remaining new car warranty and a very good deal!

 

The new 2012 Civic Si would be worth looking into, it has a new motor with way more torque. It's also great value, but the image may be a little off-putting. it also doesn't have a lot of options you can get on the MINI, but it's still a great car.

 

Smiles per Mile in a Mini = HUGE

Smiles per Mile in a Honda ... eh? ... yeah - sure...

It's an emotional thing.
The Mini will reward you in ways no Honda can ( No matter how you may mod the Honda)

My opinion... of course

 

That's what mine was too, 5500 miles and a great deal. Loaded up with intelligent options, see sig.

 

I like to think of it as adopting a kid, save the ones out there before "producing" your own. :D Just my input. Lol. I've had great luck with the two used MINI's i've purchased. Although both were with great mileage when purchased, and both had great options and still had warranty. You'll get attached quite fast whichever way you lean towards. Good luck!

 

If you buy used make sure it has the factory warranty or buy the extended warranty.

 

MaximaDan: You might check CarMax, they have quite a number of MINI's, some with low mileage...perhaps young folks buy a MINI and then need a bigger car when their families grow. I've found CarMax to be very picky about the cars they sell on their lots and you may be able to find a very clean one owner car there....worth checking out www.carmax.com

 

MaximaDan


Having spent the last week looking at just about every Mini available in the US, or at least it seemed that way, The price for what you are looking for is going to run~$23K to $28K depending on packages, and how much of the factory warrant is still intact. The Sunroof will drive the price up because of the package that included it. I don't know that I found an absolutely "Bone Stock" Mini with no option packages of any type in m,y searches.
These cars don't depreciate as fast as other makes. The 2007 I just had totaled cost me $27,500 new, including taxes.The insurance total for that vehicle is going to be right at ~$21K.
I ended up ordering new. The price savings for a late model used, left over, or lease return really weren't that substantial. I will qualify that though, as I was looking for some pretty specific options on the car. I probably wasn't as flexible as you appear to be.

Good luck, and check out Auto trader. There is a really nice Horizon Blue Cooper S sitting on a Chrysler/Jeep lot in Lancaster PA. That I found, and I don't think they know exactly what they have. The price was about $1-$2K less than what it should be.

 

Have you checked out the marketplace here? There are a couple options that look like they fit your needs. https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...cat.php/cat/20 Hopefully one is close to you.

 

i got my mine pre owned certified and LOVE IT

 

Off topic, I know, but a big HELLO fellow Marylander!! Went to BCC HS way, way back!! I'll wave if your ever in my neck of then woods (Carroll, Frederick County)

 

Hey Everyone,

Thanks for all the tips! I am going to test drive some hopefully early next week to see how the S 6-speed drives. I'm 90% sure I want the 6-speed, but I haven't owned a standard shift car since high school, so it will take a little bit of re-learning, and like I said, I drive mostly in the city so I want to make sure I wouldn't get annoyed by the clutch.

Also, when I said I wanted "bone stock" I just meant no crazy mod's. I'd like a stock exhaust and intake etc. Nothing aftermarket that would void the warrenty.

Thanks again for all the help!

 

I know quite a few BCC grads, although I'm not a native. I'm never up your ways but it's a nice area with some fun roads!

 

Hey MaximaDan (you may need to change the name once you unload that Nissan), we recently struggled with the same decision. Besides the fact that when you buy a used Mini you have no idea how hard the car was driven, there are also some great financing options that are available through Mini USA right now. Our payment was the same on a brand new MCS as it would have been on used one. It just made sense for us.

 

Yea, my commute from Carroll to Frederick is tailor made for the MINI, lots of twisties on rt.31 to rt.26!! I'm LUCKY!!

 

Another mini owner in carroll county? Is there any local clubs that you belong to? also yeah the roads around here are awesome, I like the ones back behind mt airy. but for my actual input into the thread, I looked for several months before i found exactly what I wanted, got my 07 used w/30k miles on it for 18 and the blue book was way more. so if you look for a while and aren't afraid to shop outside of your normal area (I got mine from suitland-yikes) you might find something awesome

 

Hello fellow Carroll Countian!! Yes, I just joined Central Maryland Mini Motorists. Its a club on the "Meetup" cite. Plan on going on my first run with them in June!! Just google C3M. If you spot a Horizon Blue Clubman with bonnet stripes and checkerred mirror caps, it's probably me!! I know I've spotted a BRG with white in my travels, and if it was you, you waved back at me!

 

Nice! I might join also. I will be looking for you, I saw a grey mcs with black hood stripes and I waved and he didn't wave back. I screamed out a playful obscenity and hoped he regretted his decision.

 

First, let me apologize to this thread for being totally off-topic!! I have yet to physically meet a MINI owner, so heres hoping we meet up sometime. I will add you to my "buddy" list. You can also "private message" me to let me know if you are ever in the Frederick area near the airport!! I work on Monroe Ave.

 

Look at a 2006 GP. Better car (if you don't need 4 seats), will have good mileage, will be a lower price point.

If you want a turbo, then you want a turbo. At least check one out...they're pretty...

*runs away to hide in 1st Gen forum*

 

I bought an 03 R53 in 2007 (granted they are VERY different cars than the R55) but something just never sat well with me. Don't get me wrong, I LOVED that car, but I was always afraid of something happening and ME incurring all the costs and what not. So when I sold that I was wondering the same thing as you, and ultimately I ended up buying an '11 and I couldn't be happier. I could have saved a little bit of money buying used for sure, but the extra cost up front puts me very much at ease.

 

I looked at the civic Si and mazda 3. I was also set on the S at that time.

I ended up with the justa and have been quite happy about it.
make sure you get the sport package if you do.

My vote is you redo the price comparison with a justa new, and a civic.

I can say the mini justa is 20X the car to drive than the civic 2 door si.

Not sure if you are set on a sedan. We also have an SX4 sport aka hatch.
If you have seen the commercial where it races the mini.
It's a hoot, and quite a bit cheaper than all your options listed if you don't go with the fully loaded AWD.

My main point is a warranty and service included is a wonderful thing.

Now I'm older but I can honestly say the only thing I missed by not getting the S is the repair bills.