Hi,

I'm new and considering the future purchase of a Cooper S. Right now I'm considering either the S or RSX Type-S. One of the questions I have is how much should I expect to pay for a new 2004 Cooper S, low on the options? Edmunds and KBB both list the invoice at around $18k and a couple of dealers were selling them for around 21-25k. However, I've seen some stock, used 2003 S's going for as high as 28k. Also how hard is it to attain a Cooper S these days? I remember when they first came out many people had pre-purchased them as much as a year in advance. Thanks for your help. :smile:

 

Welcome to NAM, logo29a

It is much easier to get a MINI now compared to a year ago. Some dealerships still have long waiting lists, but others have cars on the lot ready to go. Others can take your order and deliver your MINI within a couple months.

Right now, one of the dealerships is actually doing a discount group-buy for us, and you get a $300 discount.

See this thread for more info on that: Ultimate Classic MINI Group Buy

 

Expect to pay @$21K, and the lead time is still around 4 months in the northeast. There are a lot of dealer problems, BMW treats MINI owners like bastard step-children, and MINI is cracking down on mods for cars under warranty. Also, the S is severely underpowered, with us all having to void our warranties and drain our bank accounts just to get to acceptable power levels. It's also as heavy as lead.

You'd probably be much happier with the RSX Type-S.

 

We live in Washington and bought our car from Classic in Ohio. Don't be afraid to order out of state :smile:

They are a great dealership to work with - check them out on the Dealer Ratings page. Their $300 discount is about as good as it's gonna get right now.

 

>>You'd probably be much happier with the RSX Type-S.

I wouldn't

 

>>>>You'd probably be much happier with the RSX Type-S.
>>
>>I wouldn't
>>

Me either.

 

Looks like somebody woke up on the wrong side of their warranty this morning

 

Not unless that somebody underwent mitosis first to become a "they".

 

All I can do is relay my experience. Went tire kicking on a Friday in mid October, drove an S around a couple of blocks. Gave'em a deposit. Drove it home on Saturday. That was that. Smiling ever since..... :smile: (when it doesn't snow)

 

Waiting period will vary depending on the region. West coast typically has a long wait for the S, especially in the NW, which is almost a year for a S. Many people here on NAM purchased out of state and Classic MINI in OH is a great dealership to consider. With $300 off, it's a great deal and the first discount offer I've seen for MINIs.

>>>>>You'd probably be much happier with the RSX Type-S.
>>>>I wouldn't
>>Me either.
MINI is a very special car with racing heritage and un-candid appeal that's not found in a RSX. Although not without problem, I've been fortunate to have a trouble-free MCS during the 2 months of ownership thus far. Knock on wood! Keep in mind that the car is a totally new designed. Over the years since its introduction, most of the problems and complaints have been ironed out. It's a good time to purchase one and take pride and joy in motoring!

 

i just picked up my mini from elmsford mini in southern new york... they were very accomodating and had about 20 or so s's right on the lot. i know mahwah (or is it ramsay? i never remember) mini in jersey also has a bunch.
i'd definetly go for the mini over the rsx. i test drove both and trust me, the mini sells itself the first time you put it into gear!
christina.

 

Thanks a lot guys. I'm really suprised by all of the quick responses. I am currently in the southeast and it looks like a relatively close Soutch Carolina Dealer has about 10+ S's currently on the lot. Unfortunately, I'll have to save up for quite a while in order to get my payments where I want them (under $200/mnth). Hopefully in the next 6-9 months I'll make a purchase. All I can do is salivate until then.

A few more things. How much is everyone's insurance. Has anyone here done the JCW kit that is supposedly covered by warranty? If so, was it worth it, as I know it's more expensive than alternatives.

Thanks again!

 

I'm an unmarried 22y/o male with a clean driving record...

The BEST price I could find was from Allstate (yes I tried Progressive and Geico and all those other "discount" places) and it was $897 for 6 months for a CVT MC. The MCS I think was about $100 more per six months, negligible increase anyways.

Don't know about the JCW kit personally as I don't have an MCS, but from reading forums and such for a while it seems that if you want to keep your warranty it is definitely the way to go. There are other (MUCH cheaper) ways to get more power (new pulley, intake, ECU, etc.) but almost all will void your warranty. JCW gives you 200hp and an in-tact warranty for around $6,000 installed (I think you have to do dealer install for the warranty-keeping aspect), which I think comes out to about double what it would cost to do the upgrades yourself and void your warranty. So, is $3000 worth a 4 year warranty to you personally? It is to me, and if I had ended up getting an S I would DEFINITELY have sprung for the JCW.

And I have a question for people who are saying the "S" is underpowered:

What the HELL were you expecting in a sub $25k car? My stock CVT MC is a very, very quick car. It's no straight line screamer but if I'd wanted that for the same price point I would have bought an old '69 vette stingray and rebuilt it. People who are disappointed to find that their MCS isn't as fast in a straight line as the $45,000 Audi A6 they're replacing need to seriously consider the MINI's price point and market position before stating it "needs" upgrades to be acceptably quick. Compare the MCS to a car in its price range, say a 4-cylinder Honda Accord, and it starts to become obvious what a performance bargain it really is :smile:

 

I have had my MCS since august and had 2 windshields replaced, my radio and amplifer blew up, and two speakers have busted. It sucks having to drive 2 hours to the dealership and in Greenville, SC they treat you like you are white trash and dont have a clue what you are talking about. BEWARE of the dealers and the service departments. Remember you aren't driving a $50,000 BMW. So buy close to home if you can because you will have problems. Maybe small, maybe LARGE but most MCS owners have had some kind of problems. Will someone reading this please till me what the CVT and the RXS tpye S is? Call me stupid But I didn't know there was two S cars.

 

A "Low spec" Cooper S is the way to go, IMO.

I paid for mine $21,700 (Before taxes and fees) back in October '03 (2004 MCS) before the price hike in January. The car currently has 5,600+ absolutely troublefree miles. Tight as a drum and not a single problerm. Here is what I got:

16" V-spoke R84 silver wheels with Dunlop runflats
Chili Red/White Roof
Harmon Kardon Stereo upgrade (A must)
Manual A/C controls (Works wonders, no need for auto A/C in a car this size)
Panther Black Leatherette sports seats
Carpeted floor mats (Don't care for the rubber ones)
Self dimming rearview mirror (A must)
Rain sensing wipers (A must)
Front fog lights
ASC + T (Traction control)
Trip Computer
Multifunction sports steering wheel
Anthracite interior trim (Highly recommended due to better quality and durability vs Alloy Patina or Silver trim)

Had the dealer add, prior to delivery, the MINI OEM MCS 3 slats chrome front grille and chrome mirror caps.

Last week my dealer added an Union Jack roof flag decal and the stereo Aux input jack

As you can see I did not spend money on neither one of the 3 available option packages

As you can see, I did not bother to spend additional money on leather, sunroof, Xenons, DSC, bigger wheels, auto A/C, etc. This car is fantastic out of the box and the plainer...the better!

I find the stock performance to be fantastic and I don't plan to mod the car for the time being, unless I get the itch for the JCW upgrade kit.


You'll be happy with a new Cooper S.

_________________
'02 Cooper CVT PW/B, Bone stock (Hers)
'04 MCS CR/W/Chrome Grille and mirror caps (His)

 

>>I have had my MCS since august and had 2 windshields replaced, my radio and amplifer blew up, and two speakers have busted. It sucks having to drive 2 hours to the dealership and in Greenville, SC they treat you like you are white trash and dont have a clue what you are talking about. BEWARE of the dealers and the service departments. Remember you aren't driving a $50,000 BMW. So buy close to home if you can because you will have problems. Maybe small, maybe LARGE but most MCS owners have had some kind of problems. Will someone reading this please till me what the CVT and the RXS tpye S is? Call me stupid But I didn't know there was two S cars.


Cooper CVT = Automatic version of the standard Cooper which features an awesome gearless and continously variable automatic transmission (Not to be confused with the 4-speed slushboxes found in most cars).


Acura RSX Type S = 160HP VTEC high performance version of the RSX model line. Cheapest Acura and it is based on the current Honda Civic platform.


Sorry to hear about your problems, but your experiences have not been anything like mine. I have nothing but praise for my selling/servicing dealership (Lauderdale MINI in Ft Lauderdale, FL). They treat me like a KING and always get my cars serviced there. They provide brand new Cooper CVT loaners for their MINI customers.

My 2 MINIs have been super reliable. My '02 Cooper CVT with 21K+ miles still has its original windshield.

I have 5 MINI dealers in a 50 mile radius, but I picked mine which is 30 miles away.

_________________
'02 Cooper CVT PW/B, Bone stock (Hers)
'04 MCS CR/W/Chrome Grille and mirror caps (His)

 

>>What the HELL were you expecting in a sub $25k car?

A meager 200hp would have helped. A desire for power does not a straight-liner make.

>>My stock CVT MC is a very, very quick car.

You must have the secret quad-turbo version.

>>It's no straight line screamer but if I'd wanted that for the same price point I would have bought an old '69 vette stingray and rebuilt it. People who are disappointed to find that their MCS isn't as fast in a straight line as the $45,000 Audi A6 they're replacing need to seriously consider the MINI's price point and market position before stating it "needs" upgrades to be acceptably quick.

Yeah, whatever. Marketroid jargon aside, instead of making excuses for MINI, I'll say that for the money, the S should have more power stock.

>>Compare the MCS to a car in its price range, say a 4-cylinder Honda Accord, and it starts to become obvious what a performance bargain it really is :smile:

The type of person who looks to a Honda Accord for a comparison with the S is obviously barking up the wrong tree and would do better to get the Accord.

 

Have you driven the CVT, or it this just another one of your Armchair reviews?

 

If HP and torque are so terribly important to you for the least amount of $$$, look no further than to the Dodge Neon SRT-4. Turbocharged 225hp+ horses with plenty of torque for a hair over $19K. Of course you get that famous rental car interior and "Detroit class" build quality and materials known the world for, not to mention rock solid resale value and Dodge realibility.

 

>>Have you driven the CVT, or it this just another one of your Armchair reviews?

Actually, I have an MCS, so I'm not sure how my opinion on this matter can be categorized as "armchair". My MCS is not a "very, very quick car". So I'm going to end up putting a 19% pulley in it to get it closer to where it needs to be in terms of power.

 

>>>>Have you driven the CVT, or it this just another one of your Armchair reviews?
>>
>>Actually, I have an MCS, so I'm not sure how my opinion on this matter can be categorized as "armchair". My MCS is not a "very, very quick car". So I'm going to end up putting a 19% pulley in it to get it closer to where it needs to be in terms of power.


Good luck with your warranty. I hope you can get at least 100K miles out of your MCS with that 19% pulley.





...And still you haven't answered the question...have you driven a Cooper CVT yes or no?


Having a MCS does not mean you can comment on a vastly different car like the CVT model. I have both, so I can accurately comment on both. Having a MCS and CVT does not qualify me to issue an opinion on the Cooper 5-speed model, which I have never driven before.
_________________
'02 Cooper CVT PW/B, Bone stock (Hers)
'04 MCS CR/W/Chrome Grille and mirror caps (His)

 

I think most people purchasing a vehicle consider more than just one aspect of the vehicle. Looking at the total picture one can see that some people did not buy for Power only :smile:

 

>>I think most people purchasing a vehicle consider more than just one aspect of the vehicle. Looking at the total picture one can see that some people did not buy for Power only :smile:

Amen!

 

Some perspective on price here: put all the new cars in the 18-21 K price bracket for the regular Cooper and the S. Then put the JCW S in w/ all the cars in the next price bracket- another 4-6 K. Evaluate the cars in each category for speed, handling, appearance and features. You want more power than an S? How about equal or better handling? How about a car that looks good to go with all that? I'd bet my deposit that anyone doing this will put the MINI #1 on their short list. The only real argument is whether a regular Cooper, an S, or a Works S is the best choice. Find me a better car for the same price that makes me smile as much as my MINI and I'll buy it.

 

If your top criteria is power and torque when buying a new sporty/sports car, then I think you should look into GT cars like the RX-8 350Z, etc.

The MINI is all about HANDLING. The MINI has never been known to be a straight line drag racer, but a small car that is capable of outhandling most anything else on the road, including the top dogs in terms of price and performance.

Now, if you want to Twincharge, triple charge, put a V12, etc on your MINI that's perfectly fine with yours truly, but the fact remains that the MINI has never been and will never be a high end 0-60 straight line type of car. Remember fellas, we only have a 1600cc engine under the bonnet (Compare that to the classic Mini whose biggest engine was the 1275cc found in the S model).


America is too power hungry for sure