I have been flirting pretty heavily with a 2004 Cooper. I've checked all the buying guides in YouTube and listed in this forum. However, the mileage has me pretty concerned (144,000). I'm using up my entire car fund to get it so my main question is this: Is a mini at that age and miles still a good buy and how hard is maintenace for someone who will have to do the work himself?

 

Do you know the service history of the car? A 2004 (base) Cooper will have a Midlands transmission which isn't very robust. Has it been replaced?

You should have any used MINI checked out by a knowledgeable mechanic before buying it.

 

No service history at all and the lot has a kinda shady history. Had it looked at by 3 shops. It had passed their examinations although they aren't mini or even European car specialist. I live in the middle of nowhere so the closest shop with a knowledgeable mechanic is 3 hrs away.

 

An R50 (Cooper) with build date during or after 7/2004 will have a Getrag, before will have a Midland.

 

Ask the owner (if it is a private sale) what fuel he uses...
It REQUIRES midgrade....going lower will result in burnt valves eventually...they run hot, get soft, wear, then result in A woresing misfire, then needs a valve job to fix....
I might suggest being a bit coy on how you ask......if they say something along the lins of "it runs fine on the cheap stuff", run....
As to the " relilibilty"...a mini anin't no Honda...
But if you are handy, some parts bought online, like from specialists when needed or rockauto for the generic comidity parts can save tons of $$ vs the dealer...it is after all a 10+ year old car.....one that MIGHT have been driven hard and abused due to the typical demographics of mini drivers...
Some have been driven nice, by old folks to church, or used as commuters, but many have been THRASHED and TRASHED.....